In the Garhwal (Middle) Himalayas are a transcendental cluster of holy places that have attracted visitors since the beginning of time, according to Vedic literature. The Char-dham, or four holy places, is the collective name for Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. We will examine the holy Char-dhama and the holy waters that surrounded their manifestation in this series.

1. Ajourney to char dham yatra in the Himalayas by helicopter
In the Garhwal (Middle) Himalayas are a transcendental cluster of holy places that
have attracted visitors since the beginning of time, according to Vedic
literature. The Char-dham, or four holy places, is the collective name for
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. We will examine the holy Char-
dhama and the holy waters that surrounded their manifestation in this series.
Traveling to the Char dham yatra pilgrimage locations will free the resigned
seeker of the buildup of material life's impurities and set the jivatma free from the
endless cycle of birth and death. Every people is required to make this
voyage once during his lifetime, according to the Puranas. Hence, it is regarded
extremely fortunate to be born or to pass away.
These sacred dhamas are difficult to reach, especially for young children and
the elderly. People of all ages continue to arrive, undeterred in their quest for union
with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, despite the location being covered in
snow for a substantial portion of the year.
The holy rivers of Mother Bharat, the Ganga and the Yamuna, are honoured in the
shrines known as Gangotri and Yamunotri, respectively. The Yamuna at

2. Yamunotri, the Bhagirathi in Gangotri, the Mandakini in Kedarnath, and the
Alaknanda in Badrinath all get holy water. Lord Vishnu has his abode at
Badrinath, whereas Lord Shiva has his abode in Kedarnath.
The Yamunotri shrine serves as the starting point for the pilgrims' journey
around char dham yatra by helicopter, which then continues to Gangotri,
Kedarnath, and Badrinath. This road travels in a clockwise direction, as is the
correct Vedic parikrama route.
During the entire dhama journey, stunning vistas of snow-capped mountains,
vibrant meadows, lush surroundings, and cool springs may be viewed. During the
trip, there are several opportunities for pilgrims to bathe in hot and cold springs.
There are also other spiritual locations nearby and all along the char-dhama
trail. During the trip, pilgrims stop at as many as they can, such as Joshimath,
Barkot, Uttarkashi, and Guptakashi. Three arrangements of sacred places and
shrines, the Panch Kedar, Panch Badris, and Panch Prayag, stand out among
the many others as being particularly significant.
Pang Kedar
After the Mahabharata conflict, as per sastra, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva's
blessings to atone for their crimes. After escaping from them several times,
Lord Shiva sought refuge at Kedarnath as a bull. When the Pandavas pursued
him, Lord Shiva dove into the earth, leaving his bull's hump behind. At
Kedernath, its conical protrusion is revered as the ruling Deity. There are five
Kedar shrines in Garhwal, Uttaranchal, each of which represents a different
aspect of Lord Shiva's form:
The hump near Kedarnath
The arms of Tunganath (bahu)
The navel is Madamaheshwar (nabhi) The face of Rudranath (mukh)

3. The hair of Kalpanath (jata)
Badris Panch
The primary Badrinath shrine and four nearby minor badri temples make up the
Panch Badris. Bhadris, or wild berries, originally covered this area, giving it their
name. The Badrinath Deity resides in the Yogadhyan Badri, which is close to the
main temple. The "future badri" is Bhavishya Badri. The two mountains at
Badrinath, Nara and Narayan, will eventually close in on one another and block
access to the current Badrinath when demonic forces rule the globe.
Thereafter, at the Bhavishya Badri temple, Lord Badrinath will manifest and be
adored.
Shankaracharya offered adoration to Badrinath in Bridha Badri,often known as the
"ancient Badri". The temple complex at Adi Badri is consists of 16 tiny temples
with beautiful decorations. Seven of these temples are credited to
Shankaracharya and date to the late Gupta era. A Vishnu Deity made of black
stone resides in the main temple.
The meeting place of the four holiest rivers, Panch Prayag, is regarded as the
pinnacle of everlasting devotion. Vishnu-prayag, Nand-prayag, Karna-prayag,
Rudra-prayag, and Deo-prayag are the five principal prayags. The Bhagirathi
from Gaumukh and the Alaknanda from Satopanth combine at Deo-prayag.
Here, Lord Rama and King Dashratha performed penance. An enormous black
granite statue of Lord Rama may be found inside the Raghunathji temple.
At the meeting of the Alaknanda and Mandakini Rivers is Rudra-prayag,which
bears Lord Shiva's name. The sage Narada worshipped Lord Shiva, who came to
this place in his Rudra avatar to bless the sage, in order to learn the
mysteries of music. Sati was also reincarnated here after she self-immolated.
She made atonement in order to request the blessing of Shiva as a spouse once
more in her new existence as the daughter of Himalaya.
The Pindari River is formed by the freezing waters of the Pindari Glacier, and the
confluence with the Alaknanda River is known as Karna-prayag. The name Karna
was given to the child of Lord Surya and Queen Kunti. Karna also saw
Ganga and Shiva in this place.

4. The meeting of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers is marked by Nand-prayag. The
holy Raja Nanda, who performed Maha Yagna here, gave the confluence its
name. The foundation stone for the Nanci temple is the slab on which the Yagna
was conducted.
The Vishnu Ganaga and the Dhauliganga River converge to form the Visnu
prayag, later known as the Alaknanda. Here is the Vishnu kund temple, where
Narada worshipped Lord Vishnu after earning Brahma's wrath and giving birth to him
in human form.