Land of Gods in India - Uttarakhand

 Popularly known as the "Land of Gods in India" or the abode of gods , Uttarakhand boasts of a number of exquisite temples located in the lap of the mighty Himalayas. The pristine valleys, snow clad mountains, gurgling mountain rivers and the murmur of religious chants, lifts oneself to a mystical world of spirituality, away from the worldly worries and the materialistic rat- race. now lets talk about its Land of Gods in India. do you know pilgrimage meaning in Hindi? the answer in last paragraph.

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Uttarakhand is the seat of famous "Chardham" yatra, covering major The Pilgrimage centers of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Uttarakhand is also home to the world famous Kumbh Mela- the largest religious fair, held at the holy town of Uttarakhand Haridwar. Located on the banks of the legendary river Ganga, Haridwar, is one of the holiest places for the Hindus across the world. Uttarakhand is also the seat of famous temples like Baijnath, Jageshwar, Bageshwar and Golu Devta. The pristine Adi Kailash Yatra happens here and the mystical abode of 33 Koti gods and goddesses - Patal Bhuvaneshwar, lies in the Heart of Pithoragarh district.

Promoting equality and universal brotherhood, Uttarakhand is proud to house the famous Sikh shrine - Hemkund Shahib, dedicated to the founder of Sikhism - Guru Gobind Singh jee and the Famous Piran kaliyar Sharif dargha revered both by the Muslims and the Hindus .

Haridwar

Haridwar literally means 'Gateway to God'. This holy town is the place where the sacred Gana descends to the plains. Haridwar forms one of the four important Pilgrimage centres of India which host the famous Kumbh Mela. As per ancient Indian texts, drops of Amrit or nectar fell from the pitcher, being carried by Garuda- the heavenly bird, in the four holy towns of Haridwar, Ujjain, Nasik and Prayagraj. In Haridwar this spot is called the 'Brahma Kund' or 'Har-ki-Pauri'. Every year thousands of pilgrims take a dip in the river Ganga , with the desire to attain salvation. 

'Har-ki-Paur' comes alive every evening with the chants of the famous 'Ganga Aarti' which is an unforgettable and mesmerizing experience. Twinkling earthern diyas, melodious ringing temple bells and the enchanting prayers of the devotees, make it a 'must-attend' on every tourist's list 

Haridwar is also seat of famous temples like, Mansa Devi temple, Maya Devi temple etc. 

Yamunotri

Located deep in the majestic Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarkashi district, Yamunotri is famous for its hot springs and glaciers. This chardham destination embodies the source of the sacred river Yamuna. As per an old legend, Yamimotri was the permanent abode of great ascetic, Asit Muni 

Adjacent to the Indo-China border, Yamunotri is located at 3293 meters above sea level in Uttarkashi district Yamunotri temple, dedicated to the goddess opens on Akshaya tritiya and closes on Yama dwitiya. Yamunotri can be reached by a trek of 13Km. from Hanunum Chatth or a 6 km walk from Janki Chatti. Picturesque with many enchanting waterfalls, the trek to Yamunotri is a memorable and invigorating experience. The winter seat of Yanumotri is located at Kharsali.

Gangotri

The birth place of the sacred Ganga- Gangotri is located at a height of 3,048 metres above the sea level. As per legend, divine Lord shiva received the holy Ganga at Gangotri, when it cascaded down from heavens onto earth, in response to King Bhagirath's penance. An 18th century temple built close to the holy rock - 'Bhagirath Shilas, attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. This chardham destination also boasts of a natural rock shivling, submerged under water and visible only during winters. 

Also known as Bhagirathi, the holy river has its origin at Gaumukh, 18 kms uphill from Gangotri. The blessings of Maa Ganga and the tranquil ambience of this sacred place fills up one's heart with joy and devotion. The winter seat of Gangotri is located at Mukhwa. 

Kedarnath

As mejestic as Lord Shiva, the Kedarnaath temple stands tall at a height of 3584 meters above the sea level. An important chardham destination, Kedarnath is located at the head of river Mandakini in Rudraprayag district. The shrine is the seat of one of the twelve "Jyotirlinga" of Lord Shiva and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. kedarnath can be approached by a 17 km trek from Gaurikund.

Guarded by a statue of the legendary Nandi Bull, the temple is an impressive stone edifice built in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya. The current temple, stands next to the site of an earlier temple built by the Pandavas. The winter seat of Kedarnath is located at Ukhimath. The Pilgrimage of keadarnaath is  famous all over india.

Badrinath

Nestled in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan, the colourful and attractive Badrinath temple stands on the banks of the river Alakananda in Chamoli district. Located 3,133 meters above sea level, Badrinath is consecrated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver god. The place was once carpeted with 'badris' or wild berries and thus derived the name of 'Badri Van' The holiest of the four chardham shrines, the current temple was constructed over two centuries ago by the Garhwal Kings. It is divided into three sections -Garbhagriha, Darshan Mandap and Sabha Mandap.

The Garbhagriha enshrines Lord Badri Narayan, Kuber, Narad Rishi, Uthavar, Nar and Narayan. The primary image is sculpted from black stone and embodies Lord Vishnu in a contemplative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. The winter seat of Badrinath is located at Joshimath.

Hemkund Sahib

Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib is an important Sikh pilgrimage center, situated at height above 15000 feet in Chamoli district. Hemkund literally means 'Lake of snow. The star shaped Gurudwara is built facing a glacial lake and is surrounded by seven breath-taking snow clad mountain peaks.

 Devoted to Guru Govind Singh jee, the 10th Sikh guru, Hemkund Sahib can be approached from Gobindghat which lies at a distance of 275 km from Rishikesh. A 13 km trek from Gobindghat takes one to Ghangharia (or Gobinddham), which is the last human habitation on the way to the sacred shrine. Religious fervor and the zeal to face every challenge upfront combined with the natural beauty of enchanting waterfalls, thick forests and the majestic Himalayan peaks makes the journey to Hemkund Sahib a once in a lifetime experience. 

A bonus on a visit to Hemkund Sahib is a trip to the iconic "Valley of Flowers" which lies just 3 kms away from Gobinddham. Its diverse flora including the exclusive 'Brahma Kama' is sure to win a million hearts. 

Piran Kaliyar Sharif

A symbol of unity among Hindus and Muslims, the Piran kaliyar Sharif Dargah is situated 20 knis south of Hairictwar, on the banks of sacred Ganga. Famous for its mysticai powers to fulfill one's desires, the Dargah is visited by millions of devotees from all over the world. 

Piran Kaliyar is the Dargah of Alauddin All Ahmed Sabir Kalyari. It is one of the most revered shrines for Mslims and is equally revered by the Hindus. 'Urs' is organized annually to celebrate the saint's death anniversary. Piran Kaliyar Sharif is a must visit for every pilgrim seeking divine blessings and exploring the right path for a peaceful existence in today's world. 

Jageshwar

Proudly depicting the ancient culture and heritage of our country, the cluster of 124 stone temples, dating from 9th-13th century, make jageshwar a must on a tourist's itinerary. Situated at an elevation of -1,870 metres above sea level at a distance of 37 kms from the town of Almora, Jageshwar temple is picturesquely located amidst a forest of tall Deodar trees. The Jata Ganga makes its way into the temple complex adding to the mystical and tranquil settings of this historical, Shiva temple complex. The main temples of Jageshwar include Dandeshwar Temple, Chandi-ka-Temple, Jageshwar Temple, Kuber Temple, Mritunjaya Temple, Nau Durga and Nava-grah Temple- Jageshwar is believed to be the site of the first of the twelve. The 'Jageshwar Monsoon Festival', held from 15 July to 15 August is an important annual event and attracts thousands of tourists every year. 

Baijnath

Located on the banks of river Gomti, in Bageshwar district, the Baijnath temple houses a beautiful idol of goddess Parvati, chiseled in black stone. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, traditionally called Vaidyanath (or the Lord of physicians). The temple is located at an altitude of 1126 metres above sea level and was built by the Kumaon Katyuri king in 1150 A.D. 

Another attraction of Baijanath is a lake full of colourful fishes just outside the temple complex. Popularly known as 'Golden Mahaseer', hundreds of tourists can be seen flocking the lake site to feed the exquisite aquatic creatures. 

Baijnath is easily accessible from the beautiful hill town of Kausani. 

Tungnath

Perched at an astounding height of 3680 metres above sea level, Tungnath , one of the sacred Panch Kedar is the highest temple of the mighty Shiva. Located on the Chandranath parbat in district, the temple is considered to be more than 1000years old. Magnificent in its architecture and artistic grandeur, the temple has mythological links with the epic Mahabharata.

 

Tungnath Temple can be reached by a steep trek of 4 kms commencing from Chopta, located at 2700 metres. The trekpasses through rocky terrains, green meadows and rhododendron bushes giving one a chance to enjoy the immense bounties of nature. Several named and unnamed peaks of the Himalayan range are distinctly visible from Tungnath. Another 1.5 km uphill trek from the temple, takes one to summit which offers a majestic view of the snow clad Himalayan peaks including Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. 

Golu Devta Temple of Chitai

Golu Devta- the most admired and worshiped God of Kumaon Hills is known to be an incarnation of Gaur Bhairav (Shiva). People after failing to get justice from other sources come and seek justice in the courtyard of Golu Devta. Known to be the God of justice, Golu Devta was a great warrior and his tales of bravery and justice are still sung by the local folk artistes during various fairs and jagars. 

Although every village of Kumaon has a temple of Golu Devta, the most famous one is at Chitai, 8 kms from Almora. Devotees use stamp papers to seek desired decree in litigations before the idol of Golu Devta. After the fulfillment of their wishes, they offer bells at the temple. Thousands of brass bells of every size hanging over the temple premises are a testimony to this. 'Justice delayed is Justice denied' will never seem true to you if you have the belief and the will to pray at the Golu Devta temple. 

Adi Kailash

Popularly known as Chotta Kailash, this abode of Lord Shiva is in many ways the replica of the famous Mt. Kailash in Tibet. Located at a height of 6191 metres above sea level, Adi Kailash is surrounded by great natural beauty, peace and serenity. Gauri Kund, located at the foot of Chotta Kailash reflects the entire expanse of this majestic mountain .

Parvati Sarovar, also known as 'Mansarovar' is a much smaller water body compared to the original Mansarovar. Adi-Kailash Yatra, promises a fascinating experience full of the splendour of the snow clad peaks of Annapurna, a tranquil ambience, pious thoughts inspired by the bounties of nature and the peace and solitude one can get only in the dark and deep woods. In short undertaking Adi Kailash Yatra is the best way to discover oneself and discover God!

St. John's Church

One of the finest churches in India St. John's Church is one of the earliest buildings set up the captivating hill station of Nainital. Situated close to the Naina Devi Temple, the St. John's Church is located at the north-end of the town. The beautiful structure was established and named in 1844 by the Bishop of Calcutta, Daniel Wilson. The enchanting interiors and the stained glass windows of the church are it's high point and make it a must visit while visiting Nainital 

pilgrimage meaning in Hindi is - तीर्थ यात्रा

Read More - Culture Of Uttarakhand

FAQ

Q1- Which is the famous pilgrimage in India?
Ans- there are many Pilgrimages in India and the most special among them are Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, Ujjain, Dwarka and Rameswaram etc.

Q2- Which pilgrimage Centre is jyotirlinga in Uttarakhand?
Ans- Kedarnaath Dham is one of the four major sites in India's Chota Char Dham pilgrimage of Northern Himalayas and first of the Panch Kedar's pilgrimage sites. This temple is the highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas.

Q3- What is the name of 4 Dham?
Ans- Uttarakhand's Char Dham - Kedarnaath, Badrinaath, Gangotri, Yamunotri.

Q4- What are four Dhams in India?
Ans- India's beautiful 4 Dham- Badrinaath, Dwarka, Puri, Rameswaram.

Q5- Why Kedarnath is not a dham?
Ans-  People think that Kedarnath Dham is not there, but they do not know here that Kedarnath is the first Dham of Chhota 4 Dham Yatra. Those who are not able to do Char Dham Yatra, they do Chota Char Dham Yatra, the benefit is equal to both.