Everything You Need To Know About The Char Dham Yatra

Char Dham refers to four sacred pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, India: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath. These places hold immense religious significance for Hindus and are considered essential to visit at least once in a lifetime. Adi Shankaracharya is credited with defining the concept of Char Dham, which includes three Vaishnavite temples, one Shaivite temple, and one that represents a mixed tradition. He also established the Advaita school of Hindu philosophy, which played a role in shaping the spiritual importance of these sites. The origins of these temples remain mysterious, with no definitive historical records. These four temples are located across the Garhwal Himalayas, forming a spiritually powerful circuit for devotees.