Adi Badri is a famous and ancient temple of the Hindus. Adi Badri Temple is located in chamoli district of uttarakhand state of India. Adi Badri temple is the first temple in Panch Badri and Saptya Badri.
It is believed that these temples were constructed by Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankaracharya is credited for the construction of several temples in Uttarakhand region. The objective of the construction of these temples by Adi Shankaracharya was to promote Hindu religion in every remote part of the country. There are 16 temples but two temples have been dilapidated. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and statue of Lord Vishnu in the temple is standing here, which is made of 3.3 feet high black stone. Which is made different to other temple of Lord Vishnu. The maintenance of these temples is done by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Situated between Nar and Narayan peaks, the pious land of Vishnu also belongs to the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. Starting with Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath, Badrinath is the last and most celebrated stop in the pilgrimage tour of Garhwal Himalayas. Badrinath Dham is easily accessible by motorable roads and the Badrinath temple can be reached by walking along an easy trek. Around 3 km from Badrinath is the village of Mana, which is one of the last villages before the boundary of India ends and that of Tibet begins.
Badrinath is a land of myriad legends, each one only adding to the glory of this place. Along with these legends, the snowy mountain peaks, gracefully flowing Alaknanda River and incredible landscapes create the perfect background to facilitate a spiritual connection.
Chitai Temple is dedicated to Golu Devta; he is one of the most revered deities in Kumaon region. The temple is located in Almora and is one of the popular temples of Lord Golu. Lord Golu is considered as the god of justice; every day, hundreds of believers submit their wishes on paper (sometimes on stamp paper) in his temple. When the wishes are fulfilled, devotees express their happiness and gratitude by tying bells around the temple premises.
The temple looks distinct and extraordinary with the presence of numerous bells of all sizes. Lord Golu’s shrine is placed at a position from where one can have amazing vistas of Himalayas. It is a must visit place which would introduce the visitor to a different kind of religious practice and devotion.
Situated at the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi, the town of Devaprayag lies at an altitude of 472 m. on the metalled road running from Rishikesh to Badrinath and about 87 km. from Narendra Nagar. The town is the headquarters of the tehsil of the same name and is one of the five sacred prayags (confluences) of the Alaknanda.
Situated amidst rolling Himalayan ranges, Devprayag is a popular pilgrimage centre for Hindus. With ancient temples and idols amidst lush green surroundings, this place is beautiful and serene. It derives its religious significance from the vibrant rivers & natural elements that surround it. Dasharathachal Peak, Chandrabadani temple and Raghunathji temple are among some of the popular attractions here. Water sports and trekking are fun activities in Devprayag.
Gangotri Dham, located at the height of 3,100 meters (approx.) on the Himalayan range in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, holds a very special place in the hearts of Hindus. It is one of the four sacred and important pilgrimage sites of Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
Ganga Maa (mother), the much revered deity of Hindus, originates from the Gangotri glacier at Gaumukh which is some 18 km from the Gangotri town. It is said that Goddess Ganga came to earth in order to wash away the sins of King Bhagirathi's ancestors. From the folds of mythology till the present time, Ganga River has always been a sacred source of purity for the mankind. Coming to Gangotri for a religious tour is not only a religious duty but a spiritual calling too.
Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttarakhand. This holy city is home to some of the most sacred Hindu rituals. Round the year, devotees from all over the country flock here to perform 'Poojas' or prayers. Renowned for the "Matta Kumbh Mel" which appears every 12 years and the enchanting Aarti at Har Ki Pauri which captives the beholder with hundreds of burning wick lamps floating down the Ganga, this town has been distinguished for centuries in the Indian society.
Har Ki Pauri, the sacred ghat, was constructed by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. The golden reflection of floral diyas in the river Ganges is the most enchanting sight at twilight during the Ganga aarti ceremony at the ghat.
Hemkund Sahib is a highly revered Sikh place of worship in the world. What makes this religious site even more popular is its location at a dizzying height of 4636 m. Nestled in the lap of Garhwal Himalayas, this sacred Sikh pilgrimage destination is annually visited by a large number of devotees from far and wide before it closes down for the winter season between October and April. From the month of May, Sikh pilgrims start to arrive at Hemkund Sahib to help repair the damaged trail over the winter months first and then for performing pilgrimage.
This tradition is called Kar Seva or selfless service, which forms an important concept in the Sikh faith. Hemkund Sahib also houses a scenic lake, in the water of which, the devotees take a dip. As per the Hindu mythology, Hemkunt Sahib was known as Lokpal, which is a lake that was a meditational grounds of Lakshman, the brother of Lord Rama.
Jageshwar is situated at an elevation of 1,870 mts above sea level and at a distance of 37 kms from Almora. Jageshwar is an important tourist destination of Kumaon and receives thousands of visitors every year.
One of the finest examples of architecture in Uttarakhand, Jageshwar Dham is a group of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are 124 big and small temples that look simply beautiful with a gorgeous backdrop of rolling green mountains and a gurgling Jata Ganga stream. As per ASI (Archaeology Survey of India), the temple dates back to post Gupta and pre-medieval era and said to be 2500 years old. Stone lingams, stone sculptures and carving on altars are the highlight of the temple. The temple’s location is ideal for meditation as well.
Kedarnath is one of the most sacred pilgrimages of Lord Shiva situated in Rudraprayag district of Garhwal region in Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is one of the Char Dham in Uttarakhand and the most important dham among Panch kedar. Kedarnath is situated at an altitude of 3586 mts, in the lap of the majestic mountain peaks and near the head of river Mandakini, Kedarnath range stands one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
The beautiful ambiance around the temple looks like quite peace on heaven causes a beautiful place to do meditation.The main attractions here is the Shiva Temple, which is a popular Hindu shrine and pilgrimage, attracting devotees from all over the world. The travel and tourism scope here is strengthened by factors like natural beauty and religious zest.
Mahasu Devta Temple is located on the Tuini-Mori road at Hanol. The temple is dedicated to Mahasu Devta. Lord Mahasu is the chief deity of this area and is worshiped in Mahasu Devta Temple by the people of Hanol and nearby villages. It is the ancient temple of Mahasu Devta built in 9th century. The temple was constructed in Huna architectural style initially but, over the ages, acquired a mixed style. It is included in the Archaeological Survey of India list of ancient temple.
Hanol is a popular village on the banks of Tons river in Chakrata. Hanol is named after the Brahmin Huna Bhatt. Surrounded by the lush green hills, Hanol has a scenic location and a tourist spot near Chakrata.
Patal Bhuvaneshwar is one of the most mysterious and spiritual place of Uttarakhand. This hidden pilgrimage situated at 1350 mts above sea level is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva. Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a limestone cave situated 13kms from Gangolighat in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state.
The way to the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave goes through a long and narrow tunnel. Other than Lord Shiva the forms of Sheshnag, Kal Bhiarav, Ganesha and several other gods can be seen in Patal Bhuvaneshwar. It is believed that the cave is the abode of 33 crore Gods and Goddesses.
Located in the south of Haridwar, Piran Kaliyar is claimed to have a mystical power that fulfills all the wishes of devotees who visit here. Piran Kaliyar is the dargah (shrine built over the grave of a revered religious figure) of the 13th-century saint of the Chishti order, Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kalyari, who was also the successor to Baba Farid (1188–1280), and the first in the Sabiriya branch of Chishti Order. The dargah was built by Ibrahim Lodhi, an Afghan ruler of Delhi.
Due to its proximity to the revered shrine, Haridwar, the dargah is highly revered by Hindus and Muslims. Through the centuries, a small town developed around the shrines, and it was christened as Piran Kaliyar.
The celestial city of Rishikesh is a hermit’s hermitage, a sage’s abode and an adventure lover’s hub. This lively city is among the holiest places of Hindus. The tranquil and sometimes raging river of Ganges flows in eternity in this holy city, providing nourishment and life to many the earthly beings. After having a rendezvous with Rishikesh, the river Ganga leaves the Shivalik hills behind and flows into the plains of northern India.
The city is famously known as the ‘Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas' and the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. Many locals, as well as foreign tourists, visit this place in the quest for spirituality and peace. Rishikesh is also a commercial as well as a communication hub that lavishly sprawls over the suburban area of Muni ki Reti or the ‘sands of the sages’.
Rudranath, the highly revered temple of Lord Shiva is peacefully adorned in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is the fourth temple to visit in the circuit of Panch Kedar pilgrimage. The celestial temple is snuggled inside the rhododendron forests and the alpine meadows. The exhilarating trek to Rudranath temple can be either commenced from Sagar village, Helang or Urgam village.
Rudranath temple is the toughest one to reach in comparison with other temples of Panch Kedar. Rudranath offers some of the finest sceneries of the snowy peaks of the Himalayas and at an elevation of 2286 meters, the beholder would be excited to experience the unspoiled beauty of Nature. The thick forest, meadows of aromatic flowerbeds, sparkling lakes and the glittering peaks, Rudranath is endowed with bewitching sceneries.
Named after Lord Shiva (Rudra), Rudraprayag is situated at the holy confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, at a distance of 34 km from Srinagar (Garhwal). The presence of two separate routes for Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham from Rudraprayag render great importance to the place. The entire region is blessed with immense natural beauty, places of religious importance, lakes and glaciers.
Rudra Prayag is a small town that is located in the state of Uttarakhand and in the district of Rudraprayag. It is said that the place where the two rivers meet resembles two sisters embracing each other and there is a unique beauty about the place. Many visitors travel to the place to witness this phenomenon every year. The entire area is surrounded by immense beauty and one can see many lakes, glaciers, rivers and streams here.
Tungnath is a magnificent temple with an aura soothes both eyes and soul. Situated at an elevation of 3680 m and on the Chandranath mountain, Tungnath is an important Hindu pilgrimage site that is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is where his hands are worshipped. The shrine is believed to be more than 1000 years old and is reckoned to have been discovered by Adi Shankaracharya.
Tungnath can also be reached only by trekking, and the trail is quite an easy one, however, it starts to become difficult when it crosses the temple towards the Chandrashila Peak the top of the mountain. The views from here although rewarding enough to compensate for the arduous trek. And even though the temple closes in the winter season, the trekking trail remains accessible throughout the year for the adventure lovers.
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the famous temples of Hindus, this temple is situated in Uttarkashi. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Uttarkashi. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is situated on the banks of Bhagirathi river. this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The magnificent and picturesque landscapes of the mountains can be seen around the temple.
This temple in Uttarkashi is considered to be part of the Char Dham Yatra. It is believed that this temple was built by Parashurama. Later, Sudarshan's wife, Maharani Khanti, rebuilt it in 1857. Lord Shiva's Shivling is established in Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple, which is 56 centimeters tall and the direction of Shivling is towards south direction. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, Goddess Parvati and Ganesh are also here. In the outer room of the temple is Nandini.
The shrine of Yamunotri is situated at an altitude of about 3185 mts is a point of paramount religious importance for Hindus and an essential pilgrimage. Yamunotri is famous for its thermal springs and glaciers is a part of famous Char Dham Yatra. Yamunotri is the source of Yamuna river. According to a legend, Asit Muni, a revered sage, used to reside here.
The actual source a frozen lake of ice & glacier (Champasar glacier also known as Yamunotri Glacier) located on the Kalind mountain at the height of 4421 m above sea level, about 1 km further up, is not frequented generally as it is not accessible and hence the shrine has been located on the foot of the hill. The approach is extremely difficult and pilgrims therefore offer pooja at the temple itself.