Among India’s most holy and propitious pilgrimages is the Char Dham Yatra; this trip entails visiting four hallowed spots located in the Indian Himalayas, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Each of these sites is dedicated to a different Hindu deity: Goddess Yamuna, Goddess Ganga, Lord Shiva, and Lord Vishnu respectively. The Yatra cleanses one of the sins leading to salvation.
Yamunotri marks the beginning of the Yatra as it is the source of the river Yamuna. Devotees pray and cook rice in hot springs. Next is Gangotri where devotees take a ritual bath in the holy waters of River Ganga. Kedarnath being the abode for Lord Shiva is next on their way where devotees trek to reach the old temple and get blessings from there. Finally, at Badrinath, which is considered an abode of Lord Vishnu, devotees come to worship before an idol with Badrinarayan written on it and enjoy beautiful scenery.
This pilgrimage referred to as yatra usually takes place between April and November when doors are open in temples.
