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The Char Dham is a set of four Hindu pilgrimage destinations in India. They are considered the most sacred places. It is a revered quartet of Hindu pilgrimage destinations located in India. These four sites, namely Badrinath in the north, Dwarka in the west, Puri in the east, and Rameswaram in the south, are considered the most sacred places for Hindus.
They are in the four corners of India, and visiting all four in a clockwise direction is believed to aid in achieving moksha (salvation). The Char Dham Yatra is a significant pilgrimage in Hinduism that can help cleanse one’s sins and attain spiritual liberation. Undertaking this journey requires immense faith and devotion.
In this article, I will share my knowledge about CHAR DHAM. It will throw light on each of them in detail.
LET’S BEGIN…
Badrinath, Uttarakhand
Badrinath is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world. The town gets its name from the Badrinath Temple. It was built in the 8th century CE by Adi Shankara. It is made of stone and marble and bestowed with intricate carvings and sculptures.
It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the 108 Divya Desams or holy places for Vaishnavites. It is Positioned at an elevation of 3,100 m (10,200 ft) in the Garhwal Himalayas on the banks of the Alaknanda River.
The area surrounding Badrinath is referred to as Badari or Badarikaashram (बदरिकाश्रम) in Hindu scriptures. The place is sacred to lord Vishnu, particularly in Vishnu’s dual form of Nara-Narayana. Its roots go back to the 8th century when Adi Shankaracharya established it. It has been rebuilt and renovated several times over the centuries.
The current temple structure was built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh of Amber. It is one of the most key pilgrimage sites in India. Every year, millions of pilgrims from all across India and the world visit Badrinath to pay their respects to Lord Vishnu.
It is part of the Char Dham pilgrimage of North India, which includes the sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Kedarnath. The pilgrims come to Badrinath due to their deep faith and devotion to Lord Vishnu.
The Alaknanda River flows through it, and the area boasts several hot springs like Tapt Kund.
Badrinath is also known for its natural beauty. Snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and lush forests surround the town.
Dwarka, Gujarat
Dwarka is a city on the western coast of India. It lies in the state of Gujarat, India. It is located on the west coast of India, on the Kathiawar Peninsula, and is one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites. It is known as the one of Char Dham in the west direction.
It is the home to the Dwarkadhish Temple. It is associated with Lord Krishna. It is considered a very ancient city. Founded by Lord Krishna, Dwarka is the abode of Lord Krishna, and the Dwarkadhish Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in the world.
It is one of India’s oldest and most important Hindu temples. The structure is built in stone and marble with intricate carvings and sculptures. City has its mention in the many Hindu scriptures, including the Mahabharata.
The Dwarkadhish Temple is a beautiful and impressive structure. The temple was constructed in the traditional Hindu style, with a tall shikhara (spire) and intricate carvings.
It is the house of Lord Krishna, and the main deity is a black stone statue of the god. Dwarka is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over India who worship lord Krishna.
Puri, Odisha
Puri is one of the four Char Dham sites, along with Dwarka, Badrinath, and Rameswaram. Puri is on the Bay of Bengal coast in the state of Odisha. It is home to the Jagannath Temple, which houses the Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu.
The Jagannath Temple is among the most popular pilgrimage sites in India, and it is visited by millions of people every year. The Jagannath Temple is famous for its unique architecture and the annual Rath Yatra festival.
The temple is made of sandstone and decorated with intricate carvings. The temple’s primary shrine houses the three deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
The Rath Yatra is a nine-day festival celebrated annually in June or July. During the festival, the three deities are taken out of the Jagannath Temple and placed on three chariots, which are then pulled through the streets of Puri by thousands of devotees.
For Hindus, visiting the Jagannath Temple in Puri is a way to connect with their faith. It also helps to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Rameshwaram is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. It is in the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu, on an island in the Gulf of Mannar.
Lord Rama built a bridge (Rama Setu) from Rameshwaram to Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram is the house of Lord Shiva. Lord Rama consecrated the lingam in the temple according to beliefs.
It is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus all over the world. Pilgrims visit the place to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ramanathaswamy Temple and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The temple is also known for its long corridor, which has over 1200 pillars and is one of the longest in the world.
Pilgrims also visit the Dhanushkodi. Dhanushkodi is a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus. According to legend Ramayana, it is the place where Lord Rama had built a bridge to Sri Lanka using his bow. Pilgrims from all over India come to Dhanushkodi to pay their respects and experience the holy significance of this place.
In addition to the Ramanathaswamy Temple, there are many other temples in Rameshwaram, including the Lakshmana Temple, the Sita Temple, and the Hanuman Temple.
Visiting Rameshwaram is a sacred experience for Hindus.
Pilgrims believe it will absolve their sins and achieve moksha (salvation).
In the end, The Char Dham is a journey of a lifetime. It is a journey of spiritual enlightenment, self-discovery, and cultural immersion. The Char Dham Yatra is a chance to connect with the divine and experience the beauty of India’s diverse cultures and landscapes. Every Dham has its own significance which attract pilgrims from all over.
It is a journey that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Therefore Everyone Should Experience This Char Dham Journey Once in their Lifetime.
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