All About the Char Dham Temples of India 2024

Char Dham are the four places in India with high pilgrimage importance. These four places are namely Rameshwaram, Jaganath-Puri, Badrinath-Kedarnath and Dwarka. Adi Shankaracharya defined the term Char Dham as the three Vaishnavite, than one Shaivite and the last a state of mixed ones. It is some of the most holy places that a Hindu should visit, at least once in a lifetime. The origin of these four temples here is still not well known and has remained a mysterious fact. Shankaracharya is said to have established the Advaita school of Hinduism, which was also accountable for the origin of the Char Dham. The four Hindu temples are lying across the four corners of India. The Badrinath temple is in the north, followed by the east temple of Jaganath Puri, the Dwarkadhish Temple located at Dwarka in the west, and Rameswaram in the south, the Ramanathaswamy Temple.

 

The Hindu pilgrimage considers it sacred to travel across India, visiting these four holy temples. They believe that their religion demands that they visit these places at least once in their lifetime. This trip has a traditional method of starting the journey from the east, or Puri then moving up in a clockwise direction. Different pilgrimage tours and Char Dham tourism organize this journey to these places. If we are speaking geographically, then we can see that these places are in a more or less perfect square, falling on the same latitude or longitude. Different types of Char Dham yatra packages are available, according to everyone’s budget, whereby a specified amount of money is paid by the pilgrimage group to the tourism, and they remain responsible for the rest of the journey. Before the Char Dham tour, the travel agents draw up a Char Dham map that helps the pilgrims with the rest of their journey. However, one could travel alone, but it would always be preferable if the person went with a travel tour or a group of his own. Therefore, Char Dham tours play an important role in the lives of Hindu pilgrims.

 

Badrinath Dham, Uttarakhand

 

 

Kedarnath and Badrinath are two very important pilgrimage destinations in India. In Uttarakhand, the city of Badrinath is located. The city stands on the banks of the river Alakananda. Badrinath photos show that the town is beautifully located between the mountain ranges of Nar and Narayana. The Nilkantha Peak overcast the city with its shadow. With the passing years, the popularity of the city is improving drastically. The pilgrimage to Badrinath is known as the Badrinath Yatra, and the pilgrimage to Kedarnath is known as the Kedarnath Yatra. The Badrinath Kedarnath Yatra begins with Badrinath. The number of pilgrims is increasing every year. In the year 2006, about 600,000 pilgrims visited this city. The history of Badrinath dates back to the Puranas, where it was mentioned for its importance in Hindu mythology. The word ‘Badrinath’ was derived from the word ‘Badri’ which means a popular berry that is grown there, and ‘nath’ means the lord of. Jujube trees were also known by their Sanskrit names, Badri.

 

The Badrinath temple remains the most attractive historical object of the town. The legend says that Shankaracharya found a black stone resembling the image of Lord Badrinarayan. He then moved it to a cave and later in the sixteenth century the Garhwal King shifted the statue to the standing temple. We can make a forty-eight hours journey from Kedarnath to Badrinath for the subsequent part of the tour, that is, the Kedarnath tour. The town is situated within a few kilometer form the India Tibet (China) border. The Kedarnath Temple is also important for its mythological as well as historical importance. However June and September remains the best time to visit this place. The Kedarnath helicopter service is also a notable attraction, for it saves time and effort of trekking and climbing for tourists.

Other places, which could be suggested, with this place are Haridwar and Rishikesh and Gangotri Yamunotri, the sources of two important rivers of India. We could also visit places near Badrinath such as the valley of flowers Brahma Kapal Ghat, Vasundhara falls, Mata Murti Temple Mandir to name a few. We can reach Badrinath by air railway and also by road. Jolly Grant Airport, which is near Dehradun. But mostly helicopter service is provided as it shortened the distance to only hundred kilometers. The station at Rishikesh is the one of the nearest and Kotdwar follows. National Highway 58 is the road taken for Badrinath. There is also regular bus service taking people from Rishikesh station to Badrinath.

• Suggested Tour Package: Char Dham Yatra Package of Uttarakhand

Dwarka, Gujarat

 

 

Dwarka is the western most city of India located in Gujarat. It is the holiest of the seven holy cities of India followed by Ayodhya, Mathura, Puri and others. The city is legendary because the myth says that it is where Lord Krishna dwelled. The interesting fact is that due to its close proximity towards the sea, the city had been destroyed or damaged for about six times. The modern city that stands here now is the seventh in a row. The temple at Dwarka was built in the sixteenth century. King Vajra who was the great grandson of Krishna is believed to have built it. Five times every day, a flag is hoisted at the top of the temple. Two gateways had been built for the pilgrims to enter. The entry had been named ‘Swarga Dwar’ and the exiting gateway or the exit is called the Moksha Dwar.

• Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Dwarka

 

The temple offers an excellent view where the river Gomti flows towards the sea. There are also other shrines in this city dedicated to deities such as Devaki, Balarama, Vasudeva, Subhadra, Devaki, Satyabhama Devi, Jambavati Devi and Rukmini Devi. The word ‘Dwarka’ has derived its name from the word ‘dvar’ that means in Sanskrit doors or gate. The city termed as the most holy place in India and also a component of the Char Dham pilgrimage. The Vaishnavas, especially, have a particular deference the city. The Jagat Mandir temple is also situated in this city. Also near this city, there is the Nageswara Jyotirlinga which is included in the twelve shrines of Lord Shiva. Along with Puri, Jyotirmath and Sringeri, Dwarka houses the Dwarka Pitha, which is a member of the four Mathas. The Lord in this temple has an attire of Kalyana Kolam, which is essentially a wedding costume for the royal families. Out of 108 Divya Desam, it is one of them.

• Suggested Tour: Dwarka Somnath Tour from Ahmedabad

Jagannath Puri, Orissa

Jagannath Puri is the next Holy Dham. Being of the oldest city, it is located on the banks of Bay of Bengal. Lord Jagannath is worshiped here, which is another name for Lord Krishna. Along with her brother, Subhadra is also worshipped here. This is the only place in India where she is worshipped. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are her two brothers. This is one of the oldest temples of India and it may be assumed that it is about a thousand years old. Anantavarman Chodaganga along with Raja Tritiya Ananga Bhima Deva built it. However, no pilgrimage journey seems to be complete without traveling to the temple of Puri. Being a holy land this place had several other names in the puranas such as Nilachala, Sankha Kshetra, Neeladri, Srikshetra, Jaganath Puri, Purushottama Dhama to mention a few.

The word Puri had a notable resemblance with the Greek word ‘polis’ which means a city or town. Puri is famous for its festival of Ratha Jatra. It is the festival of divine Chariots. During this time of the festival, the three Gods, Jaganath, Balaram and Subhadra are taken out of their temple. The ceremony is held as they are placed in the chariot procession. Various dates are there but the festival takes place in the July month. There are a number of mathas present in the city other than this temple. Traveling to this town one can realize that they city has an aura of Hindu religion and the tradition carried out. However the presence of other religions such as Buddhists, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians makes it a secular town. Another legend says that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who had been termed as the reincarnation of Lord Krishna.

• Also Read: Kedarnath Trek Yatra 2024

He lived about five hundred years ago and gathered a large number of followers. Some of the famous people had gathered as his followers. His popularity was at such a limit that even many kings and ministers followed his preaching and became his disciple. There are other festivals organized in this city such as the Chandan Yatra, Gosani Yatra, Maha Shiva Ratri, Megha Mala, Boita Bantam and Jhulon Purnima in the month of August. Jhulan Purnima is also celebrated with Raksha Bandhan, commonly known as Rakhi. There are also very important monuments and relics in this place such as the Gundicha Temple, Loknath Temple, Jambeswar Temple, Mangala Temple at Kakatpur, the famous Sun temple at Konark and Siddha Mahavir Temple at Puri.

• Suggested Tour Itinerary: Best of Odisha Tour Packages

Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu

 

The last place of the Char Dham is the Rameswaram. It had its location in Tamil Nadu, it has an exciting location, and it is located in the Mannar Gulf, which is located at the gulf’s. The legend of Ramayana states that this was the famous place where Lord Rama instructed to build Ram Setu. This setu was a link between India and Lanka where Sita was captured by the demon Ravana. Ramanatha Swamy Temple had been built in dedication to Lord Shiva. Sri Rama consecrated this temple. This place provides an important link between the Char Dham. A journey to Benaras remains incomplete without a visit to this place. The God here is in the form of a Linga and it has the name of Sri Ramanatha Swamy. This deity is a member of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

Rameswaram is a town in the Pamban Island. The Pamban Channel alienates it from the Indian mainland. In and around Rameswaram, there are about sixty-four Tirthas or Water tanks. Out of this sixty four twenty four of them are important. Pilgrims across the country comes to these water tanks to bath. People think that taking a bath in these places signifies throwing away and purging their souls of all their sins and evils, of all their births. Agni Theertham is among the most important ones thus it is considered the first. This had reference to the king of birds or Jatayu. He died in a valiant fight with Ravana. Vellondi Theertham comes next in line. The legend says that once, when Sita was thirsty, Lord Rama quenched her thirst by dipping his own bow into the sea.

The name, therefore, also means the buried bow. Three kilometers to the north of the town, a hill is situated. At the top of this hill, a temple is there which is supposedly the highest hill on this island. This is where an image of Lord Rama’s footprint is found engraved on a wheel. On the other hand Danushkodi is on the extreme south of this island. The legend here speaks that Vibhishana who was a brother of Ravana surrendered to Rama.

• Suggested Tour Packages: Tamil Nadu Tour Packages

Badrinath is situated at a high altitude. Therefore, most of the time it is covered with snow and the roads and airways remained blocked. But in the month of July to September is has a pleasant winter and most people can avail there. Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram can be visited throughout the year although the most preferable time is at the same time as Badrinath, because during this time all parts of India have a pleasant climate. The journey is started from Puri and ends in Badrinath.

Best Hotels Near Char Dham

Sarovar Portico

In Badrinath, Sarovar Portico is considered as the best hotels and has been ranked one. This is a wonderful hotel built at an altitude of ten thousand feet. The main temple is only half a kilometer away. The wonderful scenery can be seen from the hotel. Due to the severe cold temperature, the hotel is centrally heated and there are also heating coils under the bed. The lobby is well organized and food is above average. The staffs are always ready to help and they provide service round the clock. This hotel is in huge demand and if we want to stay there we should make an advanced booking. As a result of its excellent location, a lot of people come to stay here. Even when the hotel is full, the staff provides equal attention to each and every guest. One could also book a king size bedroom if he or she is traveling with family.

Hotel Narayan Palace

The next best hotel in Badrinath is the Hotel Narayan Palace. However this hotel remained up to the mark. The services are good and up to mark. Like other hotel this place has central heating system and hot water is available around the clock. The food is pleasant and the staff provides a good service. The location is a priority here. Neat and clean ambience offers a worth stay. The power back up is also an important factor in this place in time of emergencies. The temple is walking distance form here and if we decide to stay in this room we should look for a bit costlier rooms where the facilities and service are a bit better.

Mayfair Beach Resort

Mayfair Beach Resort is supposedly the best hotel in Puri. Not only the hotel, services and staff are considered the best in Puri. The ambience is peaceful. The buffet breakfast is the most delicious breakfast in the town. The hotel is centrally air-conditioned the sea is at the doorstep and is only fifty yards away from the room. The hotel is complete with gymnasium, pool and more importantly it has number shops inside the compound. The Jaganath temple is only at a distance of three kilometers from the Hotel and the Konark temple is only a forty minutes drive from here. The private beach here is complete with umbrellas, chair and attendance of the hotel staff. The hotel accommodates both high budget and mid budget travelers. There is also a private spa. Therefore altogether the stay remains perfect and guests staying at this hotel are assured of comfort during their stay.

Govardhan Green Resort

Govardhan Green Resort is one of the best hotels in Dwarka. The hotel is not only good but it has the best food available. The hotel such as swimming pool, gaming zone and the park provides kid’s entertainment. They have fresh vegetables growing in their own garden. The quantity of the food is not only good but also the quality. The hotel most importantly had a good hospitality and a very comfortable experience to stay in.

The last in the category are the hotels in Rameswaram. The Blue Boral Cottage and the Tamil Nadu hotel are the best. Blue Boral is very near to the sea and also close to the Venkateswara Temple. The cottage had a standard size with clean rooms.