Char Dham Yatra is a popular pilgrimage tour in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, which includes four holy shrines: Shri Badrinath, Shri Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. These shrines are located in the Himalayan region and are considered extremely sacred by Hindus.
Shri Badrinath, located in the Chamoli district, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is situated at an altitude of 3,133 meters. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya established this shrine in the 9th century.
Shri Kedarnath, located in the Rudraprayag district, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters. It is believed that the Pandavas built this shrine during the Mahabharata era.
Gangotri, located in the Uttarkashi district, is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and is situated at an altitude of 3,042 meters. It is believed that the river Ganges originated from Gangotri.
Yamunotri, located in the Uttarkashi district, is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is situated at an altitude of 3,293 meters. It is believed that the Yamuna river originated from Yamunotri.
The Char Dham Yatra usually begins from Yamunotri, followed by Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally, Badrinath. The yatra usually starts in April/May and ends in October/November, depending on the weather conditions. It is a challenging trek, but the scenic beauty of the Himalayan region and the religious significance of these shrines make it a popular pilgrimage destination for people from all over the world.