subject: Seek Inner Peace [print this page] People in India believe in different mythologies and religions and live together in complete harmony. There are many places of religious importance in this beautiful sub continent and hence, several pilgrimage destinations. The Char Dham Yatra is considered to be the most important pilgrimage for the Hindus. Thousands of people from all over the globe come to offer their prayers and wash away their sins by visiting these Dhams. It is considered to be the one destination that would help the people attain salvation or moksha. Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, Kedarnath are the Char Dhams. The viist only to Badrinath Kedarnath is known as the Do Dham Yatra. It is of utmost importance to the devotees of Vishnu and Shiva.
The pilgrimage to Badrinath Kedarnath Temple commences in the month of April and continues till November. There are several tour and travel operators who offer the complete Character Dham Yatra packages. It was initiated by Adi Shankaracharya and a visit to these places is considered to wash away all the sins of the person. This Yatra is one of the holiest yatras and hence, thousands of people visit this destination every year.
Badrinath is known as the abode of Lord Vishnu. The temple was originally built by Adi Shankaracharya and he initiated this yatra. There are three main attractions of this temple and they include Darshan Mandap, Garbha Griha and Sabha Mandap. The entire temple is built up in black stone that is really eye catching. The trip to Badrinath also includes a visit to the temple that was constructed by the Kings of Garhwal and two holy water springs, Tapt Kund and Surya Kund. The water of these springs remains ho throughout the year. It is said that when a person takes bath in these springs, it not only purifies his body but also his soul. The other places of importance are the Five Badris and the Vyas Cave in the nearby village Mana.
Kedarnth temple is believed to the abode of Lord Shiva and lies near River Mandakini. The Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya is located here. The Kedarnath temple is one among the twelve Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva. The devotees believe that Lord Shiva is present in the form of cosmic light or Jyotirling here. The temple has two main attractions that include the Garbha Griha where the main deity resides and the Mandap for the pilgrims. The Char Dham Yatra is incomplete without a visit to all the four destinations, Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Yamunotri Gangotri.
