Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is a revered Hindu pilgrimage encompassing four sacred shrines nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Pilgrims generally embark from gateway cities such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun. According to Hindu scriptures, completing the Chota Char Dham Yatra helps devotees attain moksha freedom from the cycle of birth and death.

Route:
The yatra begins at Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna River and dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.
Next is Gangotri, the origin of the holy Ganges River, worshipping Goddess Ganga.
The journey continues to Kedarnath, home to the ancient Kedarnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Finally, pilgrims reach Badrinath, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, marking the culmination of the pilgrimage.

Yamunotri
The first stop of the yatra, is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and marks the river’s origin. Located at an altitude of around 3,293 meters, the temple is reached via a scenic trek from Janki Chatti. A fascinating feature of Yamunotri is the Surya Kund, a natural hot water spring where devotees cook offerings as prasad. Starting the yatra here symbolizes purification and protection from untimely death, according to Hindu belief.

Gangotri
Spiritual source of the holy River Ganga. Situated at approximately 3,100 meters, the temple commemorates the divine descent of Ganga to earth through King Bhagiratha’s penance. Although the actual source, Gaumukh Glacier, lies 19 km away, Gangotri remains the ritual focal point. During winter, the idol is shifted to Mukhba village, ensuring uninterrupted worship despite harsh weather.

Kedarnath
The third and most demanding dham, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Perched at 3,583 meters, the shrine requires a challenging trek from Gaurikund, testing both physical strength and spiritual resolve. The temple’s survival during the 2013 floods, protected by a massive boulder, is often regarded as divine intervention, deepening devotees’ faith.

Badrinath
Fourth and final dham, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Located along the Alaknanda River, Badrinath is the most accessible shrine and symbolizes spiritual fulfillment. Housing a black shaligram idol, it is also part of the original Char Dham of India established by Adi Shankaracharya, marking the perfect end to this sacred Himalayan journey.