The 4 Dham is a group of four Hindu pilgrimage sites in India, which includes Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. These temples are located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state in northern India. They are considered as some of the holiest Hindu shrines and are believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya, a Hindu philosopher and theologian, in the 8th century. The 4 Dham Yatra (pilgrimage) is a popular spiritual journey among Hindu devotees and is undertaken to attain Moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Legend about Badrinath
A Hindu holy town, located in the District of Chamoli of Uttarakhand, India, Badrinath is one of the four holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus, known as the “Char Dham.” The town is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped here as Badrinath.
The history of Badrinath is believed to date back to thousands of years and is mentioned in Hindu scriptures such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas. According to legend, Lord Vishnu meditated at this site for several years and it was later rediscovered by Adi Shankaracharya, a Hindu saint and philosopher, in the 8th century. It is believed that the idol of Lord Vishnu was found by him in the water of the Alakananda River and later he brought it in a cave near the Tapt Kund.
Badrinath has been an important pilgrimage site for Hindus since ancient times and has been visited by countless pilgrims over the centuries. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the temple underwent major renovations and expansions under the patronage of the Garhwal rulers.
Legend about Kedarnath
One of the famous Shiva temples, Kedarnath is located in the Rudraprayag District in Uttarakhand. Situated beside the River Mandakini, Kedarnath, which was previously known as Kedar-Khand, is a part of Char Dham circuit and dedicated to Lord Shiva who is known as Kedarnath here.
The legend about Kedarnath goes back thousands of years according to Mahabharata and the Puranas. According to these Hindu scriptures, after Pandavas won the war of Kurukshetra, they were told to absolve themselves from the sin they committed in the battlefield. They sought redemption from Lord Shiva who was in no mood to forgive them easily and thus eluded himself in the Himalayas taking the shape of a buffalo. Pandavas only found glimpses of the buffalo in different places in the Himalayas which became religious places. Kedarnath is where the hump of the buffalo was seen whereas the arms were found in Tungnath, face at Rudranath, navel in Madmaheshwar and hair at Kalpeshwar. These five sites together are known as Panch Kedar and the journey towards them is called Panch Kedar Yatra.
In recent times, Kedarnath has become a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Despite being affected by natural disasters such as flash floods and landslides, the temple continues to be a hub of religious and cultural activities for Hindus.
Legend about Yamunotri
Yamunotri is a Hindu holy town located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the four holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus, known as the "Char Dham". The town is situated near the source of the Yamuna River and is dedicated to the goddess Yamuna, who is worshipped here as Yamunotri.
According to Hindu legend, Yamuna was the daughter of the Sun God, Surya, and the sister of Yama, the god of death. She was known for her pious and pure nature and was worshipped as a goddess of life-giving waters.
Another legend states that Sage Asit Muni, a great sage and devotee of the goddess Yamuna, lived near Yamunotri. He is said to have never taken a bath in his life and instead bathed in the holy waters of Yamuna every day. After his death, a temple was built at the site to commemorate his devotion to the goddess.
Legend about Gangotri
Another part of 4 Dham circuit, Gangotri is located in the Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand. The town is situated near the sources of the River Ganges and dedicated to Goddess Ganga.
As per Hindu scriptures, the Ganges River is said to have descended from heaven to earth at Gangotri to purify the souls of the ancestors of King Bhagiratha. King Bhagiratha is said to have meditated and performed severe penance to bring the river to earth to absolve the sins of his ancestors.
Another legend states that the sage, Bhagirath, brought the river Ganges to earth after performing penance for several years. The temple at Gangotri is said to have been built by the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, during their exile.
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Mana Village, located near the Hindu pilgrimage site of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India, is a popular tourist attraction for several reasons. One reason is its location, as it is the last Indian village before the Indo-Tibet border. Another reason is its unique culture and traditional lifestyle, with many visitors interested in experiencing the village's local customs and traditions. Additionally, Mana Village is also known for its scenic beauty and natural surroundings, with the surrounding mountain ranges, rivers and streams adding to its charm.
