Char Dham Yatra:

The great Hindu philosopher and reformer Adi Shankaracharya initiated the Char Dham yatra in an attempt to revive the Hindu religion during the 8th century. The word "Char Dham" refers to the four abodes of God, namely Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri at the Himalayan region of Garhwal (Uttrakhand). All these locations are believed to be highly sacred by the Hindu religion. While Kedarnath is home to lord Shiva and Badrinath is home to Lord Vishnu. Yamunotri represent goddess of Shakti Yamuna, and Gangotri represent goddess of Shakti Ganga.

Since ages, all the four sacred places have been visited by people who want to wash away their sins. Even today, they are visited by thousands of Hindu devotees annually during the pilgrim season. Beginning from the month of April- May, the pilgrim season lasts till the Diwali festival, which is celebrated in the month of October-November.

1 Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the goddess Yamuna, is a full day's journey from Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun. The actual temple is only accessible by a six km walk from the town of Hanuman Chatti (horses or palanquins are available for rent). The current temple is of recent origin, as past iterations have been destroyed by the weather and elements. Lodging at the temple itself is limited to a few small ashrams and guesthouses. Ritual duties such as the making and distribution of prasad (sanctified offerings) and the supervision of pujas (ritual venerations) are performed by the Uniyal family of pujaris (priests). Unique aspects of ritual practice at the site include hot springs where raw rice is cooked and made into prasad.

2 Gangotri, the source of the Ganga (Ganges) River and seat of the goddess Ganga, can be reached in one day's travel from Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehra Duhn, or in two days from Yamunotri. More popular and important than its sister site to the east, Gangotri is also accessible directly by car and bus, meaning that it sees many more pilgrims. A small village of guesthouses and restaurants serves the pilgrim community. Ritual duties are supervised by the Semwal family of pujaris. The aarti ceremony at the Gangotri is especially impressive, as is the temple, a stately affair that sits on the banks of the rushing Ganga (Ganges River). Adventurous pilgrims can make an overnight 17 km trek to Gaumukh, the actual current source of the Ganga.

3 Kedarnath, where a form of the Hindu god Shiva is venerated as one of the twelve jyotirling (linga of light), is a two-day's journey from either Gangotri or one of the main disembarkation points on the plains. Besides its affiliation with Siva, Kedarnath is also believed to be the site of Shankaracharya's samadhi (place of enternment). The actual temple, an impressive stone edifice of unknown date, is accessible only after a steep 13 km walk (horses or palanquins are available for rent). The most remote of the four Chota Char Dham sites, Kedarnath is flanked by breathtaking snow-capped peaks. No specific family of pujaris supervises rituals at Kedarnath, which focus around veneration of the stone lingam that rests in the inner sanctum of the temple.

4 Badrinath, the seat of the Hindu god Vishnu in his aspect of Badrinarayan, is generally a two-day's journey from either Kedarnath or one of the main disembarkation points on the plains. By far the most important of the four sites, as part of the larger Char Dham, Badrinath receives many more visitors than the other three sites. As the route to Badrinath is for much of the way also the route to Hemkund Sahib, an important Sikh pilgrimage site, the road to Badrinath is especially crowded. The temple and its substantial surrounding village are accessible by road. The actual temple is a striking building whose bright colors evoke the painted Buddhist ghompas of the region; rumor has it that the temple was originally controlled by Buddhists.

Attractions of Rishikesh

Temples at Rishikesh: Although there are about three hundred and thirty million Hindu gods whom the Hindu Religion Follower follows but all of them do not have temples dedicated to them in most part of the world. But a majority of gods and goddesses are worshipped at Rishikesh. Shiva and Vishnu have the maximum number of temples with their numerous forms represented as installed idols. Some of the important temples in Rishikesh are:

Bharat Mandir: Reputedly the oldest temple in Rishikesh. Though some scholars believe that this temple has not been named after the loyal brother of Lord Ram, popular belief contends otherwise. The image installed here has a distinctly Himalayan cast of features. Though the temple is dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu, it holds a number of images normally associated with the worship of Lord Shiva.

Nilkanth Mahadev: This is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva drank the poison churned out of the cosmic ocean. It turned his throat blue which is why he is also called Nilkanth. The temple is located atop a hill accessed by a 10 km. walk or a 32 km. drive. Every Shivratri and Shravan (mid-July to August), fairs are held here.

Raghunath Mandir: Generally regarded as the most important place for religious ceremonies in Rishikesh. It is believed that the Ganga is joined here by the Yamuna, and the Saraswati Rivers. Geographically, however, the Yamuna joins the Ganga in Allahabad and the legendary Saraswati has not been located by surveyors as yet.

Hanuman Mandir: Located at Maya Kund, this temple was erected in 1924 by Swami Ramdas alias Oriya Baba. It draws a large number of devotees every Tuesday – the day traditionally fixed for Hanuman worship. Another important Hanuman Temple is at Sivanandnagar. Other important temples in Rishikesh include the Pushkar Temple, the Venketshwara Temple and the two ‘modern’ temples across the Ganga at Lakshman Jhoola. One of these temples is an imposing 13-storeyed structure with many smaller temples in each storey. A temple which has come up on the right bank of Ganga has arguably the world’s biggest Shiva Lingam.

Ashrams: Most ashrams at Rishikesh are centers for spiritual studies which also, often, calls for physical disciplines. Some ashrams, however, are monasteries. Among the better known ashrams are:

Sivanand Ashram: Modestly started by Swami Sivanand as an ashram, it has today grown into the Divine life Society with branches in India and abroad. The activities of the society include studies of Vedanta and Yoga, a hospital and the production of herbal medicines.

Omkaranand Ashram: Located above the Yoga Niketan, Omkaranand Ashram is also known as the Durga Mandir. The organisation runs a school, maintains several temples and conducts classes in Sanskrit, Hindi, music, classical dance and English at the Omkaranand Vishvakul at Muni-ki-Reti.

Swagashram: One of the oldest ashrams in Rishikesh, its founder Swami Vishudhanand was also known as the ‘Kali Kamli Wala’ (One with The Black Blanket). Today the Kali Kamliwala Kshetra is a mammoth organization embracing many activities.

Geeta Bhavan: Founded in early 1950s, it runs a free Ayurvedic dispensary and has a branch of the Gita Press, Gorakhpur. There are several hundred rooms for visiting pilgrims. Foreigners are not accommodated in the Ashram.

Parmarth Niketan: Across the Ramjhoola Bridge stands the mammoth Parmarth Niketan Ashram. The ashram has hundreds of rooms. It conducts many religious programmes. Foreigners can stay only with special permission.

Other important ashrams includes: Vanprastha Ashram, Ved Niketan, Dayanand Vedanta Ashram, Vanmali Gita Yogashram, Shankaracharya Nagar Transcendental Meditation Centre, Vithal Ashram and Yoga Study Centre.