Significance : One of the most sacred Hindu Pilgrimage
The sources of two rivers, Gangotri and Yamunotri are devoted to the female dities – Ganga and Yamuna. They both, along with Badrinath and Kedarnath form the Char Dham of the Garhwal, the four most hallowed shrines in the Himalayas.
Nestling in the lofty peaks are the four most holy pilgrimages of India -Yamunotri, Gangotri, Sri Kedarnathji and Sri Badrinathji, collectively referred to as the Char Dham ( or four pilgrimage centres) of Hinduism. For centuries, saints and pilgrims, in their search for the divine, have walked these mystical valleys known in ancient Hindu scriptures as 'Kedarkhand'.
The Ganga, especially, is the river of India, beloved of her people, around which are entwined her memories, her hopes and fears, her songs of triumph, her victories and defeats. She has been the symbol of India’s age long culture and civilization, ever-changing, ever-flowing and yet ever the same Ganga.
Ancient India gave countless names to the Ganga. Among them is Loknadi or River of the World. In its most prisitine form, Goddess Ganga as she is reverentially known, first descended to Earth from Heaven at Gangotri where Lord Shiva received her into his matted locks to counter the immense impact of her fall From there; the one which commenced from Yamunotri was termed Yamuna, from Gangotri – Bhagirathi from Kedarnath – Mandakini and the one which commenced from Badrinath was termed Alaknanda.
According to the scriptures of Hindu Religion, the holy centres of Gangotri, Yamunotri,Badrinath and Kedarnath - collectively called the Chardham (meaning four sacred spots) - are the most sacred of all pilgrimages. Undertaking a journey to these places will not just wash away one's sins but also ensure release from the cycle of birth and death.The honour conferred on these places is not surprising. For one, they are all in the icy Garhwal ranges and considered as the most sacred of all Himalayan ranges. It is also believed that heaven and earth unites in these holy spots, and to be born or die here is a boon, only the very fortunate have. The Chardham must be visited from left to right - beginning with Yamunotri, going on to Gangotri, Kedarnath and culminating the journey at Badrinath.This route follows the Hindu tradition of parikrama or clockwise circumambulation.
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