Particularly for Hindus, the Chardham Yatra is very important. Chardham Yatra is believed by pilgrims to remove sins and create ways to “Moksha.” At least once in their lifetime, every person should think about travelling to these four holy locations.
The Purpose Of Char Dham Yatra
The Char Dham Yatra is four pilgrimage sites in India. The name means “four abodes.” If you are thinking about why is Char Dham Yatra important? Well, Hindus believe that visiting these locations aids in receiving moksha (salvation).
Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, and Rameswaram are the four Dhams. Every Hindu should travel to the Char Dhams at least once in their lives.
Haridwar serves as the beginning point for the Chardham Yatra. From here, pilgrims go to the four sacred sites. They start out in Yamunotri and move on to the well-known Gangotri. They stop at Kedarnath Dham before concluding their journey at Badrinath Dham.
The Chardham Yatra follows this order for a reason. And each of these four sites has a special importance associated with it. Let’s start with the Yamunotri Dham, which is near the River Yamuna’s source.
Given that Yamuna is Yamraj’s sister in Hindu mythology. He had promised her on Bhai Dooj that everyone who bathes in the river would not be transported to Yamlok. Moreover, they will thereby find salvation.
The Best Char Dham Yatra Route
Char Dham Yatra Name
- Yamunotri
- Gangotri
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
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Significance of the Char Dham Yatra
The significance of this Char Dham Yatra is manifold. Why should one try and complete this yatra at least once, if not more times in a lifetime? There are numerous benefits attached to the Yatra. Let us take a look at them.
Discover your historical Roots These pilgrimages are timeless, and with connections to the Vedic ages. As you visit each place you will see ancient sacred spots, and hear historical stories connected with them. In this way, you will discover your past which will give you new insight and energy to confront the future.
Spiritual Benefits
The eventual goal of every devotee of Sanatan Dharma is freedom from the cycle of life and birth (Moksha). For this spiritual upliftment is needed in each birth. Completing this yatra with faith and devoutness washes away the sins of many a lifetime and advances you on your journey to Moksha. The inner peace that will fill you is an added benefit.
What Is The History Behind Char Dham?
The legendary reformer and philosopher Shankaracharya (Adi Sankara) created the Original Char Dham. Three of the four places in the original Char Dham are Vaishnava (Puri, Dwarka, and Badrinath). While one is Shaiva (Rameswaram).
Hinduism holds that Badrinath rose to prominence because Nara-Narayana, a Vishnu avatar, performed Tapasya there. Back then, the area was covered in berry trees. Berries are known as “Badri” in Sanskrit. Hence, the location became famous as the name Badrika-Vana, or “the forest of berries.”
A huge berry tree developed over the location where Nara-Narayana performed Tapasya. It shielded him from the rain and the light. Locals hold that Mata Lakshmi changed into a berry tree to save Lord Narayana.
Narayana claimed that following Tapasya, people would always pronounce Lakshmi before Narayana. It lends to the usage of “Lakshmi-Narayana” among Hindus. As a result, it got the name Badri-Nath, which means “Lord of Berry Forest.” All of this occurred during the Satya Yuga.
FAQs
In the Hindu religion, the Chardham Yatra is of great holy significance. Every Hindu should make this trip at least once during his lifetime. This is according to traditional beliefs. Due to the notion that the Chardham Yatra opens the doors to salvation by atoning for a lifetime’s worth of sins.
Elderly people over the age of 65 and kids under the age of 10 should avoid the Char Dham Yatra. Moreover, pregnant women, infants, and heart patients should also avoid the Yatra.
The Char Dham yatra is difficult. Only two of the temples (Badrinath and Gangotri) are accessible by car. Thus pilgrims must work very hard to get the blessings of the Lord. Yamunotri and Kedarnath are the other two, and both need hikes.
To finish Char Dham Yatra by road, will take at least 10 to 12 days. However, via helicopter, it will take only 4 to 5 days.
