According to the Hindu scriptures, the Char Dham (meaning "four sacred spots" comprising of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath) yatra is the most sacred of all the pilgrimages. Undertaking a journey to Char Dham in Garhwal (Uttarakhand) will not just wash away one's sins but ensure release from the cycle of birth and death. The honour conferred on these places is not surprising. The Char Dham Yatra shall be visited from Left to Right - beginning from Yamunotri, going to Gangotri, Kedarnath and culminating the journey at Badrinath. This route follows the Hindu tradition of parikrama or clockwise circumambulation.

Badrinath
Badrinath, dwelling at a height of 3,133 m, is said to be unparalleled in its sanctity when compared to other pilgrimages. Badrinath is located in the Narnarayan range against the imposing Neelkanth peak. The Badrinath temple is stationed in a beautiful valley on the bank of the River Alaknanda and is dedicated to Shri Badrinathji, that is Shiva the Creative Destructor. The temple traces its origin to Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, though legend has it that the temple stands on the site of an earlier shrine.

Kedarnath
Kedarnath, at a height of 3,581 m, is the site of one of the 12 jyotirlingas in the country. The temple built of solid gray stone stands against the backdrop of Kedarnath range. According to legend, the Pandavas came here to pray to Lord Shiva after their victory in the great battle of Kurushetra to atone for killing their own kin in the course of the war. However, Lord Shiva kept eluding them and sought refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being trailed, he plunged into the ground, leaving only the hump exposed on the earth, which is worshipped at the shrine. His arms are believed to have surfaced at Tungnath, his face at Rudranath, belly at Madmaheshwar, his locks and head at Kalpeshwar. These spots where he reappeared (together with Kedarnath) form the Panch Kedar. All these places are located in the Garhwal Himalayas and can be visited from Kedarnath by road and subsequent trekking.

Gangotri
Eighteen kilometers downstream from Gaumukh is Gangotri. It is an important pilgrim site located at 3,048 m above sea level. The Gangotri glacier is the original source of the river. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga and the sacred stone where Raja Bhagirath is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva. Submerged in the river here is the natural rock Shivling where Lord Shiva is believed to have received the Ganges (called Bhagirathi here) in his locks. It is visible in the winter months when the water level recedes.

Yamunotri
The shrine of Yamunotri, at a height of 3,235 m, is dedicated to the river Goddess Yamuna. The temple of Goddess Yamuna is the main pilgrim site and there are many thermal springs in the vicinity. Also present is a divya shila, a rock pillar that is worshipped before entering the Yamunotri temple.

Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, on the right bank on the Ganga. Haridwar is a beautiful place for the tourist and the pilgrims. Haridwar has been a centre of religious and historic importance from the early ages.

Haridwar is one of those four chief religious places where the festival of Kumbh takes place in every twelve years. It is believed that if one takes bath in its sacred waters, he is relieved of all sins and achieves supreme salvation. Haridwar or Mayapuri is considered to be one among the seven salvation-giving Puris.

Getting There:
Rail: Haridwar is well connected to all major parts of the country like Howrah, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Okha, Risihkesh etc.
Road: Haridwar is well connected with bus services from all the states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi etc.

Rishikesh is surrounded by beautiful Shivalik hills of the Himalayas on the three sides. This place is situated on the right banks of the river Ganga. Rishikesh has been the centre of spritiual and religious activities since ancient times. It is said that when Rishi Raibhya did hard penances GOD appeared by the name of Hrishikesh & hence forth the area came to be known as Rishikesh. Rishikesh is the base for Char Dham Yatra. International Yoga festival is held every year.