Char Dham Yatra Haridwar Uttarakhand

The Char Dham Yatra is a significant pilgrimage in Hinduism, encompassing four sacred sites located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. These four sites are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Haridwar, often considered the gateway to the Char Dham Yatra, serves as a starting point for many pilgrims embarking on this spiritual journey.

Here's a brief overview of each of the Char Dham destinations:

1. **Yamunotri**: The source of the Yamuna River, Yamunotri is located in the Uttarkashi district. The main attraction here is the Yamunotri temple, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.

2. **Gangotri**: Situated in the Uttarkashi district, Gangotri is the origin of the Ganges River. The Gangotri temple, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, is the primary pilgrimage site here.

3. **Kedarnath**: Kedarnath is renowned for the Kedarnath temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is situated in the Rudraprayag district and is accessible via a trek or helicopter ride.

4. **Badrinath**: Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in the Chamoli district. The Badrinath temple, along with the hot springs of Tapt Kund and the Brahma Kapal, are the major attractions here.

The Char Dham Yatra usually begins from Haridwar, with pilgrims first visiting Yamunotri and Gangotri, then proceeding to Kedarnath and finally concluding the journey at Badrinath. Haridwar serves as a convenient base for pilgrims to make necessary arrangements, including hiring guides, transportation, and obtaining permits for the journey.

During the yatra season, which typically starts in late April or early May and continues until October or November, Haridwar experiences a surge in visitors as devotees from all over the country and abroad gather here to commence their pilgrimage to the Char Dhams.