Char Dham Yatra

Tales of the Trip

• Ancient Origins: Chardham Yatra finds mention in ancient Hindu scriptures like the Puranas, where it is believed that undertaking this pilgrimage brings spiritual liberation and ultimate salvation.

• Celestial Alignment: The Chardham Yatra is believed to align with the four cardinal directions, symbolizing cosmic harmony and spiritual balance - deities representing each direction - Yamunotri (East), Gangotri (West), Kedarnath (North), and Badrinath (South).

• Adi Shankaracharya's Contributions: It's believed that Adi Shankaracharya, the renowned philosopher-saint, established the four sacred shrines of Chardham in the 8th century to promote Hindu unity and spirituality across India.

• Gangotri's Changing Course: According to local legend, the Gangotri temple was originally situated at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Kedar Ganga rivers. However, due to the changing course of the river, the temple was relocated to its current location by the Garhwal king in the 18th century, making it a rare instance of a temple being physically moved.

• The Haunted Forest of Dev Bhoomi: Near the Gangotri temple, there lies a dense forest known as the 'Dev Bhoomi,' where locals believe that wandering spirits reside. Many pilgrims have reported eerie experiences and inexplicable phenomena within this forest.

• Kedarnath's Floating Stone: There is a massive rock known as Bheem Shila near Kedarnath temple - said to bear the impression of Bheem's knee, one of the Pandavas, This stone is said to float slightly above the ground, adding an air of mystery to the temple's sanctity.

• The Eternal Flame: Inside the temple of Badrinath, there burns an eternal flame called the Akhand Jyoti, which is said to have been burning for thousands of years without any human intervention.

• Mystical Caves: Along the Chardham Yatra route, there are mystical caves with intriguing legends attached to them. One such cave is Vyas Gufa near Badrinath, where the sage Veda Vyasa is believed to have composed the Mahabharata. Another is the Vasudhara Cave near Badrinath, where it is said that the waterfalls turn away from impure souls and grant blessings to the pure-hearted.