Divine Destinations of Char Dham Yatra
Posted by Ana Smith on July 22nd, 2016
Moksha(liberation), a most treasured word in the scriptures of Hinduism, brings to the mind an image of a faraway mystical land that probably exists only in the abstract imagination of the perceivers. The Char Dham Yatra, gets us closer to this very wonderland. A place where, the blessed feel absolute bliss. A journey which unravels the mysteries of the divine. An experience which is meant to feed that awareness and conscience, we are so often ignorant about. It is a popular belief that all Hindus must go on this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. Salvation is what this trip's worth comes down to.
Originally, the circuit of four abodes were the important temples in the east, west, north and south of the country; namely- Puri, Rameshwaram, Dwarka and Badrinath. This formation was given to us by Shri Adishankaracharya in the 8th century. Puri, Dwarka and Badrinath being Vaishnava sites while Rameshwaram belonging to the Shaiva philosophy. As most things succumb to change over time, so did this yatra. The classification of these abodes soon took a shift from being distinguished as Shaiva and Vaishnava temples to Shakta and Shaiva temples. The then Chota Char Dham- Yamunotari, Gangotari, (Shakta temples) Kedarnath and Badrinath (Shaiva temples) came to be known as the Char Dham of India.
It is believed that the shrine of Gangotri is constructed where Goddess Ganga, the daughter of Heaven, first touched the earth. In Uttarkashi, people visit this shrine in order to wash away their sins and attain salvation. It is here that the beauty of the Ganges is paid homage to. Devotees take a dip in the pure waters to sanctify themselves before entering the temple. Uttarkashi also hosts the sacred shrine of Yamunotri. This temple proves to be one holy expedition the devotees undertake enthusiastically, since it is built at the source of the river. Surrounded by thermal springs and the cold of Himalayan breeze, this place is where you'll find the best of both the worlds.
At the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, you'll get the privilege to take blessings of Lord Shiva in the Kedarnath temple. Along the banks of river Mandakini, stands one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, thus making Kedarnath a must-visit temple for Shiva devotees. The colors of the Badrinath temple along the Alaknanadariver at Garwahal hills, celebrate the meditation of Lord Vishnu, which according to Hindu mythology, lasted for a thousand years. These four abodes are a treasure bestowed upon India by Shri Adishankaracharya; it's the perfect way of re-energizing the body, mind and soul. This Hindu pilgrimage tour is one spiritual quest that every seeker must visit. On this Char Dham Yatra, heal your pain and put a balm over all tensions, aches and anxieties.
