Uttarakhand Char Dhams (Chota Char Dhams)

Uttarakhand Char Dhams or Chota Char Dhams are 4 sacred pilgrimages in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra normally starts from Haridwar or Rishikesh.

1. Badrinath:

► Badrinath (3300 m) (Swayam Vyakta Kshetra) (Divya Desam) (All India Char Dham) (Uttarakhand Char Dham) (Sapta Badri)
(Chamoli district, Uttarakhand)

☗ Nara Parvat
☗ Narayana Parvat
▬ River Alakananda flows
• Pancha Dharas:
(1) Prahlada Dhara
(2) Kurma Dhara
(3) Bhrigu Dhara
(4) Urvashi Dhara
(5) Indira Dhara
(Uttarakhand Himalayas (Garhwal))

(Skanda Purana - Badarikashrama Mahatmya)

- Lord Vishnu abides in Badrinath or Badarikashrama (which is a Swayam Vyakta Kshetra) as Badri Vishal.

2. Kedarnath:

► Kedarnath (3581 m) (Jyotirlinga) (Paadal Petra Sthalam) (Uttarakhand Char Dham) (Pancha Kedar)
(Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand)

☗ Kedarnath Parvat
▬ River Mandakini flows
◼ Chorabari Tal (3 km)
◼ Vasuki Tal (8 km)
(Uttarakhand Himalayas (Garhwal))

(Shiva Purana)

- Lord Shiva gave boons to sages Nara and Narayana who performed penance in Kedarnath and abides there as Kedarnatha Jyotirlinga.

3. Gangotri:

► Gangotri (3140 m) (Uttarakhand Char Dham)
(Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand)

☗ Gangotri Glacier
► River Bhagirathi Udgam (Source) → Ganga Mandir Ghat (Aarti)
(Uttarakhand Himalayas (Garhwal))

- River Bhagirathi Ganga originates from Gaumukh near Gangotri. There is a temple of Devi Ganga at Gangotri and Ganga Aarti is performed near the temple.
- King Bhagiratha performed penance at Gangotri to bring river Ganga on Earth.

4. Yamunotri:

► Yamunotri (3291 m) (Uttarakhand Char Dham)
(Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand)

☗ Yamunotri Glacier
► River Yamuna Udgam (Source) → Yamuna Mandir Ghat (Aarti)
(Uttarakhand Himalayas (Garhwal))

- River Yamuna originates near Yamunotri. There is a temple of Devi Yamuna there and Yamuna Aarti is performed near the temple.

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