We all are very well aware of what is Char Dham Yatra and why it is said that why it is essential to attain Char Dham Yatra for every Hindu citizen. Most of the devotees have already been on their Char Dham yatra by now while some are planning to go, but very few know the real significance and the obscure facts related to these heavenly places. The facts that are buried inside these holy shrines.
The name Char Dham is given to the four holy shrines of Uttarakhand, India. And these four places holds a very significant role in ancient history. So if you are planning to go for a Char Dham yatra, this article will help you to know the facts behind those places.
Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter:-
Leisure India Holiday offers the best and most convenient way of doing your Char Dham yatra, i.e., Chardham Yatra by helicopter. Generally, where the other means take around 10-12 days to complete the whole journey, Chardham yatra by helicopter takes only four days to do the same. And that is the reason why it is most liked by tourists nowadays. So, book your Chardham yatra by Helicopter for 5 days 4 Night from lih and spend your holidays in this tranquil journey.
Facts about Char Dham Yatra:-
1. Char Dham Parikrama:-
The circumambulation of these divine sites is known as Parikrama. The journey is generally taken from left to right according to the Hindu mythology. It begins from Yamunotri, which is the westernmost Dham of Uttarakhand, followed by Gangotri temple and after that to the Kedarnath temple ( also known as one of the 12 jyotirlingas) and the ends in at the city of Narayan, Badrinath.
2. The original Lord Badrinath’s Shrine:-
According to the Hindu writings, it is said that the original position of the shrine of Lord Badrinath was somewhere else but not where it is right now. Adi Shankaracharya discovered the Badrinath Idol in the Alaknanda river. Shankaracharya built the idol in the Garud Caves. The caves are in the close vicinity of the hot springs of Tapt Kund. After many centuries, the Garhwal king moved the idol to where it is now present.
Read: 8 Most Popular Buddhists Destinations in India
3. Jalamagna Shivalinga- Which can be seen only in winters:-
Located in the vicinity of Gangotri Dham, a natural rock Shivlinga popularly known as Jalamagna Shivlinga, it is believed that the Shivlinga can only be seen only in winters. As in winter, the water level goes down. This place is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva held Ganga in his dreadlocks.
4. Surya Kund:-
Located in the neighborhood of Yamunotri, Surya Kund is the holy hot water spring. This place holds a significant and religious role for Hindus. It is said that Surya Kund is the father of the Yamuna river. Though the kund is surrounded by snow-covered glaciers, after that to the temperature of Surya, Kund remains 88 degrees.
This fact makes us believe in the magic God, and that is why the prasad is prepared in the holy water of Surya Kund.
5.The Real Story of Kedarnath Temple:-
The Kedarnath temple, which is standing still for thousands of years in the vast mountains of the Garhwal region, has a very significant story. According to the facts, the first temple which now stands near the present temple was made by the five Pandavas brothers.
When the Pandavas won the battle of Mahabharat, the five brothers felt guilty for killing their own brother and loved ones, and they began to search Lord Shiva. But Lord Shiva kept running away from the Pandavas. When Bheem, the eldest of the Pandava brothers, recognized that Lord Shiva is hiding being from them disguised as a bull. After that, Lord Shiva immersed in the earth. And when he did that, he left his hind part on the earth.
After that day till present, we worship the hind part of Lord Shiva in the Kedarnath temple.
6. The Story behind Gauri Kund:-
Located at the height of 6,500 feet above sea level, Gauri Kund is a base camp for the devotees heading towards Kedarnath temple. It is located near Rudraprayag. And it is believed according to Hindu mythology that this is the same place where Goddess Parvati meditated for Lord Shiva to be her husband for hundreds of years. The Kund is the same place where Lord Shiva beheaded Ganesha, and after realizing his mistake brought back Ganesha back to life.
The story in which, when Goddess Parvati asked Ganesha to guard the door for her when she was taking a bath in the Kund. And when Lord Shiva tried to go inside, and Ganesha stopped him for doing so. This is when the exasperated Shiva beheaded Ganesha with his wrath. When Lord Shiva learned that Ganesha was obeying her mother’s orders, Shiva placed the head of an elephant on Ganesha’s body and revived him.
And that’s how Ganesha brought back to life by his father. And Lord Shiva gave him a gift he will be worshipped as the God of prosperity and happiness after that day.
7. Conch is prohibited in Badrinath Dham:-
The most surprising fact is that the conch, which is considered to be one of the most significant instruments of Lord Vishnu, is prohibited in his temple. According to ancient history, when Agasthya was killing the demons of Kedarnath, namely Vatapi and Atapi, they escaped from the place. Atapi took shelter in the Mandakini river and Vatapi to save his life, hid inside the conch. After that day, no one is allowed to blow the conch in the temple, because it is said that if a person even does so then Vatapi will come out from that conch. And that is the reason why it is not allowed to blow conch in Badrinath.
Also Read: 10 Things to Know about Holi Festival in India
Another reason is that the temple is situated in the middle of the snow-covered mountains from the three sides. The conch sound will create echo- which can cause a change in the ecological environment that can lead to an ice storm in the place.
8. The future place: Bhavishya Badrinath:-
According to the facts, it is said that when the arm of Narshing’s idol, which is currently in Joshimath, will fall off. And the two enormous mountains Jay and Vijay near Vishnuprayag will unite as one to big form even a big mountain. At that moment, the route to the two temples Kedarnath and Badrinath will get unapproachable. If that happens someday, then the pooja of Lord Vishnu will proceed through Bhavishya Badri near Joshimath.
Since today, the idol of Narshinga is like thin hair. That means that we have plenty of time to see Bhavishya Badri as new Badrinath.