| The four most holy religious destinations of Hindus | | | | glacier. Many of the pilgrims trek till the source of |
| situated in the Uttarakhand state are known as | | | | river and offer prayers. Gangotri which an important |
| Chardham. These places are Yamunotri, Gangotri, | | | | part of Chardham is an absolutely mesmerizing place. |
| Badrinath and Kedarnath. Cuddled in the majestic | | | | The imposing peaks, lush green valleys and dense |
| mountain of great Himalayas, these four sites are the | | | | forests provides unforgettable trekking and |
| important religious centres of north India. Each year | | | | mountaineering opportunity. Each year many |
| large number of pilgrims take part in Chardham yatra. | | | | adventure lovers from all over the world visit this |
| This yatra usually starts from western side that is | | | | place and set out for the expeditions. Winter is very |
| from Yamunotri and culminates at eastern side in | | | | harsh while summer is quite pleasant. The best time |
| Badrinath. Yamunotri is dedicated to goddess Yamuna | | | | to visit would be from May to October. |
| and Gangotri is devoted to goddess Ganga. | | | | Kedarnath |
| Of the remaining, Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord | | | | The most interior of all the four Chardham sites, |
| Shiva and Badrinath to Lord Vishnu. People also visit | | | | Kedarnath houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of |
| Hemkund Sahib an important destination for Sikh | | | | lord Shiva. Nestled in the majestic Himalayan |
| which is located within the vicinity of these four | | | | mountain, this town is situated at a height of 3584 |
| destinations. Pilgrims travel to these destinations in | | | | metre above sea level. It is surrounded by stunning |
| search of salvation and seek blessings of the lord. | | | | snow clapped mountain on either side. Famous Hindu |
| Chardham bristle with activity during summer month | | | | saint Shankaracharya is believed to have attained his |
| as devotees commence their hoy journey. Apart | | | | samadhi here. Kedarnath temple is believed to be |
| from being an important religious destinations, these | | | | more than 1000 year old. It has been built using |
| four places have been blessed with incredible natural | | | | heavy and evenly cut pieces of the stones. The wall |
| beauty. The scenic surrounding of these mountainous | | | | of the temple are adorn with the figures of deities |
| place add to the magic of this tour. The fresh air and | | | | and scenes. |
| serene atmosphere will surely have calming influence | | | | Kedarnath is a natures paradise. The beautiful peaks |
| on the soul of the visitors. | | | | and lush green forests are a treat to your eye. The |
| Yamunotri | | | | rough terrain of Kedarnath challenges adventure |
| As the name suggest Yamunotri is the source of | | | | lovers from across the globe. Away from the |
| holy Yamuna river and is one of the major religious | | | | hassle-bustle of city life, this place is an perfect |
| destinations of India. This place is specially dedicated | | | | gateway for your spiritual and adventure vacation. |
| to goddess Yamuna. The temple of Yamunotri is | | | | Kedarnath can be accessed by trek from Gaurikund, |
| situated on the left bank of river Yamuna at the | | | | which is 13km away down the hill. The temple is open |
| foothill of Kalind Parvat. This temple is believed to | | | | during summer from the month of May to October. |
| been constructed by Maharaj Pratap Shah of former | | | | Some of the important places to be visited nearby |
| Tehri Garhwal clan. Three hot springs are situated | | | | are Gandhi sarovar, Gaaurikund, Vasuki Tal, |
| near the temple. The most amazing one is Surya | | | | Sonprayag, etc. The best time to visit this beautiful |
| Kund, which is full of boiling water. Visitors dip rice | | | | place will be from May to October as winter is too |
| and potatoes into this hot water to cook and use | | | | harsh. |
| them as 'prasad'. Divya Shila, a rock piece, located | | | | Badrinath |
| near Surya Kund, is worshiped before one offer | | | | It is the most important of all the four Chardham |
| prayer at black marble idol of Yamuna. | | | | pilgrimage site. Cradled in the majestic Himalayan |
| One can reach temple of Yamunotri by six kilometer | | | | mountain, Badrinath is one of most alluring place on |
| trek from Hanuman chati. Situated at a height of | | | | the earth. Surrounded by two mountain range Nar |
| 3165 metre above sea level, it experiences harsh | | | | and Narayan on either side, this place is famous for |
| winter with temperature dipping to minus degree. | | | | holy Badrinath temple, dedicated to lord Vishnu. It is |
| The best time to visit would be from June to | | | | believed that Badrinath temple was constructed and |
| October. | | | | renovated by saint Shankaracharya around 8th |
| Gangotri | | | | century. Inside temple there is an image of black |
| It is believed that sacred Ganga river for the first | | | | stone which represents lord Vishnu. This temple also |
| time started flowing from here. This place is situated | | | | houses Garuda which is the vehicle of lord Narayan |
| at a height of 3140 metres above sea level. There is | | | | and goddess Mahalaxmi. |
| a shrine dedicated to goddess Ganga which is | | | | There are two natural hot water springs Tapt Kund |
| believed to have been built by the Gorkha | | | | and Surya Kund. Before entering temple pilgrims take |
| commander Amar Bahadur Thapa 250 years ago. | | | | bath in this water and believe that it purifies their |
| This place is surrounded by the mountain peaks of | | | | soul. There are some beautiful places around |
| Shivaling, Satopanth and Bhagirathi sisters. | | | | Badrinath. Joshimath, Vallley of flowers, Mana Village |
| According to Hindu mythology, goddess Ganga who | | | | and Pandukeshwar are some of the amazing places |
| was daughter of heaven, incarnated as river to | | | | surrounding this holy land. Being a mountainous area |
| exonerate the sins of King Bhagirath's predecessors, | | | | Badrinath is quite popular for adventure lovers too. |
| who had sought atonement for many years. Later on | | | | The place is hot spot for trekking and mountaineering |
| she use to be known as Bhagirathi at her source of | | | | activities. The ideal time to visit will be from May to |
| origin. However the actual physical source of river is | | | | November. It is also to be noted that non-vegetarian |
| at Gaumukh, which is 18km up in the hill at Gangotri | | | | food and alcohol is prohibited in this area. |