CHARDHAM YATRA (OF UTTARAKHAND)

About: 

• Location: In the great Himalayas in Uttarakhand, the four pilgrim-destinations namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath are collectively known as Chardham. 
  
  
• Route: Traditionally, this pilgrimage tour should begin from the West and end in the East. Thus, the Char Dham Yatra commences from Yamunotri, then proceeding to Gangotri and finally to Kedarnath and Badrinath. 
  
  
• Deities covered: Each of these four sites is devoted to a specific deity. 
  • Yamunotri is dedicated to the Goddess ‘Yamuna’. Yamunotri stands high up in the deep left on the western face of the Bandarpunch Peak. 
    
    
  • Gangotri is dedicated to Goddess ‘Ganga’. The shrine overlooks the River Bhagirathi.
    
    
  • Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also a part of the Panch Kedar. It is the northern-most Jyotirlinga and is close to the source of the holy River Mandakini.
    
    
  • Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is situated on the bank of the River Alaknanda.
    
    
  
  
  
• In accordance with the Hindu conventions, thousands of devotees take up this pious tour in the hope to experience bliss and successfully purge their souls of all worldly demons.