Yamunotri - The sacred Jewel of the Himalayas

The first stopover for the Char Dham yatra is the westernmost shrine of Yomunotri in the Gharwal Himalayas. Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, it is perched atop a flank of the Bhandhar Poonch Peak (3165 mts. above sea level) and is situated apposite to Gangotri. The shrine attracts devotes in large numbers from May to October.

Gangotri - The Eternal Gift of Bhagirath's Penance

The second stopover of chardham yatra is Gangotri. The picturesque pilgrimage in the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time. According to mythology, Godess Ganga - the daughter of heaven, manifested herself in the form of a river to absolve the sims of King Bhagirath's predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries.

Kedarnath - The Celestial Jyotirlingam

Third stopover of chardham yatra is kedarnath. Amidst the montainscape of the majestic Kedarnath Range stands one of the 12 Joytirlingam of Kedar or Lord Shiva, lying at an altitude of 3584 mts. On the head of river Mandakini, the shrine of Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgriages for the Hindus.

Badrinath - Abode of Lord Vishnu

Last stopover of chardham yatra is Badrinath. Cradled in the twin Mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest of the four main shrines - Badrinath along the left bank of River Alaknanda with the towering Neelkantha Peak as the splendid backdrop. Once the spot was carpeted with "badris" or wild berries and hence was famous as Badri van.