YAMUNOTRI , GANGOTRI DHAMS'

BADRINATH temple Badrinath Dham is one of the oldest of Hindu places of worship. On the right bank of the river Alaknanda  lies the sacred shrine perched at an altitude of 3133 m above sea level, Guarded on either side by the  two mountain peaks Nar & Narain with the towering Neelkanth peak providing a splendid back drop.  Also known as the Vishal Badri, the largest among the five Badris, it is revered by all as  the apt tribute to Lord Vishnu. Badrinath is one of the Char Dhams of the  country, also known as Vishal Badri, Vishnu Bhagwan is the other name of Lord Badri Vishal. It is said about Badrinath that -  “There are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the nethere world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be”. KEDARNATH temple At Yamunotri & Gangotri, the pilgrims are  cleansed body & soul and with having  achieved purity in that sense,pilgrims  to Sri Kedarnath becomes most rewarding.  It is also customary to worship  Lord Shiva with water of Ganga, which  pilgrims going from Gangotri as well take  some there to Kedarnath. Kedarnath is the  seat of Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve  Jyotirlingas" of Lord Shiva. Lying at an  altitude of 3584 m at the head of river Mandakini,   the shrine of Kedarnath is amongst the holiest  pilgrimage for the Hindus. It is no wonder that Adi Guru  Shankaracharya - a great scholar & saint, chose to enshrine  Lord Shiva in this land, where the unholy becomes  oly and the holy becomes holier.  It is the place where Lord Shiva absolved Pandavas from the sin of  killing their own cousins Kauravas in the battle of Kurukshetra.  The origin of the revered temple can be found in the great epic Mahabharat. At Kedarnath there are several Kunds (pools, tanks) that are known for their religious  significans - shivkund, Retkund, hanskund, Udakkund, Rudhirkund are the most important. A little away from Kedarnath is a temple dedicated to  Bhaironathji who is ceremoniously  worshipped at the opening & closing of Kedarnath.  The belief is that Bhairavnathji protects this land from evil during the time  when temple of Kedarnath is closed. GANGOTRI DHAMS' An altitude of 3042 mts. The picturesque pilgrimage in  the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most sacred  spot where Ganga, the stream of life,  touched earth for the first time.  According to mythology, Goddess Ganga, the daughter  of heaven, manifested herself in the form a river to  absolve the sins of king Bhagirath’s predecessors,  following his sever penance of 5500 years, Lord Shiva  received into his matted locks to minimize the impact of  her fall. The river itself begins at Gangotri which  literally means Ganga uttari or Ganga descending. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her  legendary source. The shrine of Gangotri situated at an elevation of 3200 m above sea level  amidst captivating surroundings along the right bank of Bhagirathi is 100 km form Uttarkashi.  En route of Gangotri, We visit Gangnani, noted for its thermal springs where one can take  a bath for relaxation & rejuvenation.Devotee take bath here before proceeding Gangotri.

YAMUNOTRI Know
An altitude of 3235mts. The first stopover the Char Dham
 Yatra is the western most shrine of Yamunotri in the Garhwal Himalayas. Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, it is perched atop
 a flank of the Bandar Poonch peak and is situated at Uttarkashi district opposite to Gangotri. The actual source , 
a frozen lake of ice and glacier (Champasar 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 tiny Yamuna has icy cold water
 and its absolute innocence & the infantile purity
 heightens that deep feeling of reverence,
 Yamunotri for the devout.

Close to the temple are hot water spring gushing out from the mountain cavities.
 Suryakund is the most important kund. Near the kund there is a shila called Dibya- Shila.
 Which is worshipped before puja is offered to the deity. 
Devotees prepare rice and potatoes to offer at the shrine by dipping them in these hot water springs,
 tied in muslin cloth. Rice so cooked is taken back home as prasadam.