Char Dham are the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu comprises with the Badarinath, Puri, Ramewaram and Dwaraka Shrines. Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya delivered prophesy that Badarinath of the Himalayan Mountain rage in North, Puri Jagannadh of Orrissa in the East, Ramanathesar of Pamban Islands in the South and Dwarakadeesh of Dwaraka in the West are Char Dham and visiting these shrines of Lord Vishnu is the way to attain Moksha to human souls. It will become some strain to visit the four Shrines in one Pilgrimage. Pilgrims interested to visit these four Shrines, they have to start their pilgrimage from Dwaraka on the west and continue Badarinath in the north through Varanasi (Kasi), followed by Puri in the east and complete with Rameswaram in the south. They may also start from Badarinath through Varanasi (Kasi) and continue with Puri, Ramaeswaram lastly with Dwaraka.
Badarinath in Himalayan Range has no Train facility. Badrinath can be reached by road from Haridwar or Rishikesh, which are well connected with all the major cities of the country by rail. Pilgrims can travel Dehradun by train and continue their journey by helicopter. Badrinath helicopter ride with Kedarnath is expensive. Badarinath Temple will be kept open for six months from May/June to November. The temple will be closed in winter from November to May winter season since the way and temple will be covered with heavy snowfall, It is desirable to perform pilgrimage from May to August to enjoy a pleasant and comfortable journey. Puri, Rameswaram and Dwaraka, may travel in train.
On the way to Badrinath, pilgrims may visit Varanasi to collect water from river Ganga and visit Kashi Vishwanath, the 9th Jyotirhling, Annapurna and Vishalakshi the 17th Shaktipeeth, Anointing Ramanadh at Rameshwaram with the devine Ganga water complete the second part of Sampurna Teertha Yatra. Sea sand can be collected at Rameshwaram for the third part of Sampurna Teertha Yatra. Shiva Ling has to be made of sand at the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati called as Triveni Sangamam in Prayag Raj. The Shiv Ling has to be worshiped and immersed in the confluence. The complete pilgrimage Varanasi – Rameswaram – Varanasi ends with the visit of Viswanath in Varanasi simultaniously with the Char Dham Yatra.
Adi Shankaracharya traveled throughout India 1400 years ago and established monasteries in various places to spread Hinduism. The monasteries established with four names Vedas the Rig Veda in Puri on the east in the name of Govardhan Math, the Samaveda in Dwarka on the west in the name of Sharda Math, the Adharvan near Badrinath on the north in the name of Jyotirmath, and the Yajur Veda in the Sringeri on the south in the name of Sharada Math. Devotees consider these four monasteries to be the deities and counterparts of Shankaracharya. Among the four monasteries, except Sringeri monastery in the south, the other three are associated with Char Dham shrines. The shrines Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath of chota Char Dham, also known as Char Dham in general exists in a small circuit. The shrines visited during the Chota Char Dham Yatra are described separately as a special pilgrimage.
Northern food is only available on the way to Badari and Southern food available in the other three shrines. Accommodation is available in the Four Temples and in the Matt. Medium and Upper Class Hotels are available in all the four Shrines. The Pilgrimage takes 20 days with an expenditure of 40 to 50 thousand to each Pilgrim.
Link to: Haridwar Yatra
Link to: Rishikesh
Link to: Uttarakshi Yatra
Link to: Gangotri Yatra
Dwaraka
Badrinath
Puri
