Char Dham Temples or Char Dham (चतुर्धाम Caturdhāma in Sanskrit) is a series of pilgrimage sites that hold immense significance in Hinduism. The journey to Char Dham is a transformative journey that is believed to cleanse the soul and provide peace. These 4 abodes of gods (namely Badrinath, Rameshwaram, Dwarka, and Jagannath) attract devotees from far and wide.
So let’s embark on a journey to explore an enchanting blend of divinity and nature’s wonders.
Badrinath
Dham of Satyuga
Badrinath is one of the most popular temples for Vaishavas. In its vicinity lies the Alaknanada River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is brightly painted and it resembles a Buddhist temple or Buddhist vihara. It has large halls with many pillars, all covered with beautiful intricate carvings. The temple is considered significant in Jainism as well. The backdrop of snow-capped mountains generates a sense of wonder. You can even see many places like Maatamoorti, Mana, Bhimkund, Vyas Gufa, Charanpaduka, and the Mukh of the Saraswati River.
NOTE: Temple visits are usually available between May and November since it’s not open all year.
Timings: From 6 am to 12 pm, and 4 pm to 9 pm.
Rameshwaram
Dham of Tretayuga
It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one among the 12 jyotirlingas. According to Ramayana, it was the temple where Lord Rama along with his devotee Hanuman and brother Lakshaman prayed before going to Sri Lanka to rescue Sita. The Ramanathaswamy Temple This temple illustrates the unique blend of Dravidian-Islamic styles. The temple possesses exquisite stone carvings and boasts the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India.
Timings: 5 AM till 1 PM 3 PM till 9 PM in the evenings.
Dwarka
Dham of Dwaparayuga
In Sanskrit, Dwar means gate. Dwarka is located in Gujrat. Dwarka has deep religious significance, especially in Hinduism. The temple is known for its intricate carvings and ornate craftsmanship. Even, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is very near to Dwarka. The City of Dwarka possesses beautiful beaches for tourists to enjoy.
Timings: 6:30 am to 1 pm and 9:30 pm.
Jaggnath
Dham of Kaliyuga
This temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna). It is the only temple where Goddess Subhadra is worshipped with her two brothers namely Jagannatha and Balabhadra(Balarama). The temple features the Kalinga architectural style. The Jagannath Temple is the most significant and sacred in Hinduism. The temple remains in charm throughout the year, however, the Jagannath Rath Yatra festival adds more charm to the the temple. There are 1,000 years of history and construction behind the temple.
Timings: From 6 am to 9 pm
Chota Char Dham
It is a smaller version of the long Char Dham pilgrimage journey. However,r during winter because of terrible weather conditions this circuit is closed so if you want to visit this temple plan for the summer.
This journey is usually taken clockwise from Yamunotri and then proceeding to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally Badrinath. The journey as previously mentioned is not available all year round and is only accessible from April till October.
Char Dham Temples or Char Dham yatra is considered the best way of spiritual upliftment. These sights are highly sacred and hold immense spiritual significance. You should complete this yatra once in your lifetime for your overall prosperity, peace, and spiritually fulfilling results.
Best wishes to you on your upcoming journey!
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