The Char Dham “Four abodes” is a group of four pilgrimage destinations in India. It is claimed that visiting these locations helps acquire moksha (salvation) (salvation) (salvation) (salvation). The four Dhams are Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, and Rameswaram. It is thought that every Hindu should visit the Char Dhams throughout one’s lifetime. The Char Dham, described by Adi Shankaracharya, comprises four Hindu pilgrimage destinations.
HISTORY OF THE DHAM – A BRIEF ABOUT THE CHAR DHAMS
According to Hindu tradition, Badrinath rose to prominence after Nar-Narayan, a Vishnu avatar, practiced Tapasya (meditation) there. That area was densely forested at the time. Berries are called “Badri” in Sanskrit; therefore, the area was named Badrika-Van, meaning “berry forest.”
In the same area where Nar-Narayan was conducting Tapasya (meditation), a large berry tree grew, enveloping Him and shielding Him from the rain and sun. According to local legend, Mata Lakshmi transformed into a berry tree to save Lord Narayan.
According to Narayan, people would always take Her Name before His Name after Tapasya; therefore, Hindus always refer to “Lakshmi-Narayan.” As a result, it was given the name Badri-Nath, which means “Lord of Berry Woodland.” This all happened during the Satya Yuga. As a result, Badrinath came to be known as the first Dham.
The second place, Rameswaram, rose to popularity during the Treta Yuga when Lord Rama built a Shiva-Lingam and worshiped it to obtain Lord Shiva’s blessings.
Rameswaram derives its name from the Sanskrit phrase “Lord of Rama.” The third, Dhaam Dwarka, rose to prominence during the Dvapara Yuga when Lord Krishna chose Dwarka as His permanent residence rather than Mathura, His birthplace.
Lord Vishnu is worshiped as Jagannath, His Avtar, during the Kali Yuga, in the fourth Puri Dhaam.
1. BADRINATH (NORTH)
Temple Timings
Badrinath Temple’s schedule is from 0400 hrs to 1300 hrs and 1600 hrs to 2100 hrs daily. The temple is only open six months yearly because of harsh weather conditions (May to November). On the day of Akshaya Tritiya in May, the temple opens. It shutters in November on the eve of Vijayadashami.
Timings
Timings for visiting and performing pooja at the Badrinath temple are as follows:
- Darshan 0430 hrs to 1300 hrs & 1600 hrs to 2100 hrs
- Abhishekam 0730 hrs to 1200 hrs
- Shayana Aarti 2230 hrs to 2300 hrs
Temple Dress Code
There is no specific restriction for clothing for the visitors.
Please keep in mind that because the Badrinath temple is situated against the backdrop of the Neelkanth Mountains, the weather is frigid all year.
Rainfall and snowfall are common occurrences in this area. As a result, one should dress appropriately for the winter season, including mufflers and gloves. It is also necessary to have an umbrella with you.
Significance of The Temple
Lord Vishnu’s idol in the temple is Swayambhu, “self-manifested” in nature. It is one of Vishnu’s eight self-manifested statues. Badrinath is one of the temples included in India’s Char Dham Pilgrimage.
Additionally, it is included in the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Vamana Purana claims that the sages Nara and Narayana performed penance here. The terms ‘Nara’ and ‘Narayana’ refer to Lord Vishnu’s fifth avatar’s dual form.
Additionally, it is said that Narada attained moksha on Narad Shila in Badrinath. Here, famous sages such as Kapil Muni, Gautam, and Kashyap also performed penance.
Badrinath Temple is one of the Panch Badri temple complexes. Yog Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri, and Vriddha Badri are the other temples.
Saraswati, the sacred river, also springs from a glacier near Badrinath. Tapt Kund’s water is said to have medicinal powers. A dip in the Kund can be used to treat a variety of ailments.
According to the Skanda Purana, there are several sacred shrines in heaven, earth, and hell. However, there is no other shrine comparable to Badrinath. It is one of India’s most popular pilgrimage destinations. Each year, thousands of worshippers make this trek.
History of the Temple
The history of the Badrinath Temple can be traced back hundreds of years. The temple’s origins are mentioned in the Vedic scriptures. According to these records, the temple served as a Buddhist sanctuary until the 8th century AD. Later on, Adi Shankara had it turned into a Hindu shrine.
The temple’s architecture is eerily similar to that of a Buddhist temple in design. This has resulted in much debate regarding where it came from.
According to Skandapuranam, Adi Shankara was the founder of the temple. He erected a black statue of Vishnu on the banks of the Alaknanda River. He established it in a cave near Tapt Kund, the Badrinath Temple.
Shankara, legend has it, expelled all Buddhists from the region. For many years, the temple was run by the heirs of King Kanak Pal. The earnings of the peasants were used to feed and house pilgrims. The devotees granted the king obedience before he traveled to the shrine.
Lord Shiva, according to legends, chose this location for his Tapasya “meditation.” Lord Vishnu, on the other hand, desired the position for himself.
As a result, he assumed the form of a small boy and began crying on the rocks below. He did not calm down on Lord Shiva’s and Goddess Parvati’s requests. As a result, Lord Shiva left for Kedarnath at Parvati’s request to perform his meditation.
Another legend has it that Lord Vishnu sat in meditation here. Vishnu was unaware of the cold weather while meditating. Goddess Laxmi then protected and sheltered him in the form of the Badri tree. Vishnu named the location Badrika Ashram in honor of Lakshmi’s devotion.
The architecture of the Temple
The Badrinath temple is built in the traditional North Indian style. The temple is made of stone, with intricate carvings on the walls and pillars.
A tall arched gateway at the entrance leads to the Sabha Mandap (the hall where devotees congregate), which leads to the Darshan Mandap (where Pooja to the idol is performed), and finally to the Garbha Griha (sanctum-sanatorium).
The roof of the Garbha Griha extends to a 15-meter-high conical spire with a gold-gilded dome at the top.
A striking 1 meter high black stone idol of Badrinarayan, with a conch and Chakra in each arm, presides over the sanctum sanctorum. The other two arms are resting on Vishnu’s lap as he meditates in the Padmasana posture.
Sage Narada is also present, accompanied by his consort Lakshmi. The temple is completed with Kubera on one side and Nar Naryan and Uddhava on the other. There are also Garuda and Navdurga.
Sevas and Poojas Performed at the Temple
The self-manifested statue of Lord Vishnu is religiously worshipped. Poojas and Sevas are performed twice a day at the temple.
The following are the various types of Sevas and Poojas that take place inside the Badrinath temple:
- Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah Path
- Vishnu Sahasranamam
- Ved Path
- Geeta Path
- Akhand Jyoti
Festivals Celebrated
The following are some of the festivals held at the Badrinath temple:
- Badri-Kedar festival
- Mata Murti Mela
- Janmashtami
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport to Badarinath is Jolly Grant Airport (35 kilometers from Dehradun), which is 314 kilometers away.
By train: Rishikesh is Badarinath’s closest railway station. The railway station Rishikesh is approximately 295 kilometers from Badarinath on the NH58.
By Road: Badarinath is well-connected to the rest of Uttarakhand by motorable roads connecting it to the rest of the state. Several bus services to Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Srinagar are available from the ISBT Kashmiri Gate in New Delhi.
Where to Stay Nearby
- Guest Houses of UCDDMB at Shri Badrinath
- Dharamshalas of various organizations
- Private Hotels
- New Snow Crest
- Narayan Palace
- Sarovar Portico Badrinath
Other Temples Nearby
- Adi Badri
- Vridha Badri
- Bhavishya Badri
- Yogadhyan Badri
- Dhyan Badri
- Ardha Badri
Other Things To Do
- Bramha Kapal
- Bheem Pul
- The Cave of Veda Vyasa
- Nilkantha
- Valley of Flowers National Park
2. JAGANNATH PURI (EAST)
Temple Timings
On weekdays, from 0500 hrs to 2330 hrs, the Puri Jagannath Temple is open for worshippers. There is a darshan break in the afternoon from 1300 hrs until 1600 hrs. On weekdays, the temple’s prasadam/darshan hours are from 1100 hrs to 1300 hrs.
The following are the times for the rituals:
- Darshan 0500hrs – 2330hrs
- Morning Darshan 0500hrs – 1300hrs
- Afternoon Break 1300hrs – 1600hrs (Temple closed)
- Evening Darshan 1600hrs – 2330hrs
- Prasadam 1100hrs – 1300hrs
- Mangala Aarti 0500hrs – 0600hrs
- Mailam 0600hrs – 0630hrs
- Sahanamela 0700hrs – 0800hrs
- Sandhya Dhupa 1900hrs – 2000hrs
Temple Dress Code
According to the Jagannath Temple dress code, men should wear formal pants and a button-down shirt. Women participating in the ritual should dress in a sari or salwar kameez. Individuals dressed in casual clothing such as jeans, shorts, or T-shirts will not be permitted to enter the Puri Jagannath temple complex.
Significance Of The Temple
Puri Jagannath temple’s prominence is derived from its idol. Unlike most idols seen around the country, which are often made of stone or metal, the Lord Jagannath statue is made of wood.
According to popular belief, Goddess Mahalakshmi supervises the cooking in the temple’s kitchen. The Nabakalebara procedure is a rite exclusive to the Puri Jagannath temple.
A Neem tree is chosen, cut, and fashioned into an identical reproduction of the original idols. The ancient idols are then buried beneath a location called Koili Vaikuntha.
The Puri Jagannath temple was iconic in ancient times because it accorded equal weight to Vaisnavism (devotees of Vishnu), Saktism (devotees of Bhadra Kali), and Saivism (devotees of Shiva).
Lord Jagannath is a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, Balabhadra is a manifestation of Lord Shiva, and Subhadra is a manifestation of Goddess Durga.
Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath are at the shrine.
History of The Temple
Puri Jagannath’s history spans several centuries. The copper plates discovered at the Puri Jagannath Temple are from the Ganga Dynasty, which Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev of Kalinga ruled at the time. King Ananga Bhima Dev constructed the Puri Jagannath temple in its current shape in 1174E.
King Indradyumna of Malwa had a dream in which he saw Lord Vishnu in his true form in Utkala, according to legend (ancient name of Orissa). He assigned Vidyapati the task of locating this form.
Vidyapati encountered the tribal community, learned of the Nila Madhava’s worship, and thus married the chief’s daughter. The tribals directed him to the Nila Madhava’s location. Vidyapati informed the king of the temple’s location, but when the king visited on his own, the Nila Madhava vanished.
Lord Vishnu, moved by his plight, sent him a divine message instructing him to go to the shores of Puri and carve an image of Lord Jagannath from a log of wood floating on the waves. Lord Vishnu appeared as a carpenter and requested that he be left alone in a room for 21 days so that he could prepare the image.
However, the room was opened early at the Queen’s request, revealing only the unfinished images of the three gods and the Sudarsana Chakra.
The architecture of the Temple
The temple complex consists of four separate components. In the temple are all honored Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
The Bhogamandap is divided into four divisions as are the Vimana (sanctum), the Jagamohan (porch), and the Natamandir (auditorium). The Vimana was formerly considered the highest building in ancient India. There are various murals representing Lord Krishna’s life on the walls.
Sevas and Poojas Performed At the Temple
The following poojas and sevas are done at this temple:
- Abakash
- Mailam
- Sahanamela
- Gopala Ballava Pooja
- Sakala Dhupa
- Sandhya Dhupa
Festivals Celebrated
It is the world’s oldest rath yatra and is held every year in the city of Puri, in the state of Odisha.
Listed below is a list of festivals that are celebrated in this region:
- Chandan Yatra
- Snana Yatra
- Rath Yatra
- Makara Sankranthi
How to Reach
By Air: Bhubaneshwar International Airport, 53 kilometers distant, is the closest airport.
By Train: Puri is well-served by the rail system. Direct trains are offered from major cities such as Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai to reach the destination.
By Road: State buses are readily available from places like Bhubaneshwar, Vizag, Konark, and Chilka, and they run often.
Where to Stay Nearby
Shri Gundicha Bhakta Nivas and Nilachal Bhakta Yatri Nivas are two guest houses run by the Jagannath Temple Administration. By accessing the official website, one may reserve a hotel online.
Private hotels are also plentiful for pilgrims around the city of Puri.
- Jagannath Darshan Hotel
- Lee Garden Hotel
- Daaven’s Eco Cottage
- Pride Ananya Resort
- Chanakya BNR Hotel
Other Temples Nearby
The famed Puri beach festival, which takes place in November, attracts tens of thousands of visitors yearly.
Some of the temples in the vicinity of Puri Jagannath include:
- Sakshi Gopal Temple
- Vimala Temple
- Gundicha Temple
Other Things to Do
- Puri Beach
- Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary
- Raghurajpur Artist Village
- Sudarshan Craft Museum
- Konark Beach
3. SOMANATH TEMPLE DWARKA (WEST)
Temple Timings
The temple is open weekdays and weekends from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. During this season, several rites take place at the temple. Devotees can participate in many rituals, including artistic events (morning, afternoon, and evening).
Schedule: Hours and minutes are as follows:
- Darshan 0600 hrs to 1000 hrs
- Morning Aarti 0700 hrs
- Afternoon Aarti 1200 hrs
- Evening Aarti 1900 hrs
Temple Dress Code
Mini Skirts and Disrespectful Dress are not acceptable and should be avoided. Before entering the shrine, you must remove your shoes. A shoe house is located near the Cloak Room and is free of charge.
Significance of the Temple
The Somnath Temple is the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas in Hindu mythology. It is also referred to as Swayambhu as Lord Shiva, who revealed himself as a blazing column of light emanating from it in the ancient Hindu tradition. Millions of people travel to this memorial to pay their respects every year.
The Syamantak Mani connected with Lord Krishna is claimed to be hidden inside Shiva Linga at the temple. This mystical stone, according to legend, can create gold.
It is also in charge of generating a magnetic field around itself, which keeps the Linga afloat. The Linga is built of iron, while the sanctum’s ceiling is made of loadstone.
The shrine’s architect convinced everyone that the magnetic force created by the loadstone kept the Linga afloat in the air.
It is also widely held that bathing in the holy water of the Someshwar Kund may wash away one’s sins.
History of the Temple
Six times in the past, the Somnath Temple was destroyed. According to mythology, the temple’s exact period and construction method are unknown.
The second temple, however, is supposed to have been erected in 649 CE by the Seuna Kings of Vallabhi (Yadavas of Devagiri). During the invasions of Gujarat and Rajasthan, Al-Junayd, the Governor of Sindh, launched the first attack against the temple in approximately 725 CE. In 815 CE, King Nagabhata ll rebuilt the third temple.
Mohammad Ghazni, a Turkic Sultan, attacked the Somnath temple in 1024. He destroyed the Jyotirlinga and murdered all worshippers who tried to preserve it from looters. Later, as a tribute to Lord Someshvara, King Bhoja of Malwa and King Bhimdev I of Patan repaired it.
Alauddin Khilji’s soldiers launched the second attack on Somnath. The god’s idol was taken, and several worshippers were apprehended. In 1308 Ruler Mahipala I, the Chudasama king of Saurashtra, restored it.
Muzaffar Shah Mahmud Begada of the Gujarat Sultanate and I launched repeated attacks in 1375 and 1451, respectively.
In 1665, the temple was likewise subjected to Aurangzeb’s wrath. Finally, in 1783, it was rebuilt by the Peshwas, Bhonsles, Queen Ahilyabai of Indore, and Shrimant Patilbuwa Shinde of Gwalior. The current temple is built in the Chalukya style.
Garbhashay, according to mythology, formerly had a plethora of jewels. Many attackers captured them throughout time. Three silver gates from the Somnath temple were returned to India from Lahore. This occurred following the defeat of Muhammad Shah by the Maratha ruler, Mahadaji Shinde.
After failed attempts to re-install them in the Somnath temple, they were donated to two temples in Ujjain, the Mahakaleshwar Temple and the Gopal Mandir, where they have remained to this day.
The Architecture of the Temple
The temple has three primary sections: the Garbhagraha, the Sabhamandapam, and the Nrityamandapam.
The biggest of the three is the Garbhagraha. Shikhar Temple is 150 feet high above the surrounding surroundings. The Kalasam weighs 10 tonnes, also known as the Kalash.
The tip of the tower flagpole is 8.2 meters long. The art of the Sompura Salats, the famed masons of Gujarat, is reflected in the temple.
The Banastambha, commonly known as the “Arrow Pillar,” has a Sanskrit inscription. The Abadhit Samudra Marg and Tirstambh show no land between the coast and Antarctica in a straight line.
Sevas and Poojas Performed At the Temple
It is customary for the temple to have many poojas throughout the year.
At the Somnath Temple, the following poojas are performed:
- Homatmak Atirudra
- Homatmak Maharudra
- Homatmak Lagurudra
- Savalaksha Samput Mahamrityunjaya Jaap
- Savalaksha Bilva Pooja
- Kalsarpa Yog Nivaran Vidhi
- Shivpuran Path
- Mahadugdh Abhishek
- Gangajal Abhishek
- Navagraha Jaap
Festivals Celebrated
At the time of the festival of Mahashivratri, the shrine of Somnath Temple was beautifully adorned.
The following are some of the festivals that are held in Somnath Temple:
- Shravan Month
- Mahashivratri
- Golokdham Utsav
- Somnath Sthapana Divas
How to Reach
By Air: The closest airport is in Diu, which is 85 kilometers from the temple complex.
By Train: The nearby railway station is Somnath, which is approximately 15 minutes away by car (0.5 km). Gujarat State Railways offers and operates regular rail services in all significant Gujarat towns.
By Road: Somnath is well-connected to major cities in Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Dwarka, and Chorwad, thanks to state highways and expressways. Highways 27 and 47 are the most direct routes for those who want to travel by car. The distance between Ahmedabad and the Somnath temple is around 7 hours.
Where to Stay Near
Rooms offered by Somnath Temple Management are accessible at a low cost. People can reserve those rooms by going to the official website, www.somnath.org. Sagar Darshan Atithi Grah, Lilavati Atithi Bhavan, and Maheshwari Atithi Bhavan are all available for booking.
Private hotels abound in the vicinity of the Somnath Temple complex.
- The Fern Residency Somnath:
- The Divine Resort:
- Lords Inn Somnath
Other Temples Nearby
- Bhalka Tirth
- Shree Golokdham Teerth or Shree Neejdham Prastham Teerth
- Junagadh Gate
Other Things to Do
- Triveni Ghat
- Prabhas Patan Museum
- Somnath Beach
- Panch Pandav Gufa / Hinglaj Mataji Gufa
4. RAMESHWARAM (SOUTH)
Temple Timings
The temple is open between the hours of Morning till Night, 0600 AM and 0900 PM. During this period, the temple hosts a variety of ceremonies. Morning, midday, and evening rituals, such as poojas, are available to devotees.
The times are as follows:
- Morning Darshan 6:00 hrs to 1300 hrs
- Evening Darshan 153 0hrs to 2030 hrs
Temple Dress Code
Even though there is no dress code, always dress decently when you visit a worship place. Carry a scarf or shawl so that you can wrap it around your head or shoulders
Significance of the Temple
The Rameshwaram Jyoritlinga, like the other 12 Jyotirlingas, is Swayambhu, or “Self-Manifested.” The importance of Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple is that the temple’s sanctum sanctorum includes two Lingas – the Ramalingam, which Sita prepared out of the sand, and the Vishwalingam, which Hanuman brought.
Because Hanuman had transported the Linga from Kailash, Lord Rama commanded that Vishwalingam be worshiped first.
The island of Rameshwaram and its surrounding territories are dedicated to Lord Rama. According to legend, numerous episodes from the Ramayana occurred here, making this location significant for both Shaivites and Vaishnavites.
Rameshwaram contains up to 50 Teerths, or holy wells, 22 located inside the temple. These wells’ water is thought to have therapeutic powers.
Furthermore, according to legend, the water from each Teerth tastes different and provides distinct cures. Spatika is used to make the Linga. Bathing the Linga with Ganges water is considered fortunate. Devotees who visit Kashi make a point of bringing Ganges water and offering it to the Linga.
History of the Temple
Lord Ram and Goddess Sita constructed a Shiva Lingam from sand and water. The Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple has a long history dating back to the Ramayana era.
Devotees believe Lord Rama created the Linga and placed it here. According to tradition, Lord Rama and his wife Sita returned from Lanka after defeating Ravana, a half-demon and half-Brahmin. Because murdering a Brahmin is a sin, Lord Rama desired to worship Lord Shiva and beg his forgiveness.
As a result, he dispatched Lord Hanuman to Mount Kailash to retrieve Lord Shiva’s idol. Meanwhile, Lord Rama and Sita were living on the island, and when they attempted to drink the water, they were addressed by a strong and supernatural voice.
The voice chastised Lord Rama for drinking the water without first worshipping. Lord Rama told Sita to build a Linga out of sand and water from the seashore instead of waiting for Hanuman to return.
Then, in this shape, he worshipped Lord Shiva and begged for forgiveness. Lord Shiva revealed himself as the Jyotirlinga, blessed Lord Rama, and agreed to stay and bless mankind in perpetuity.
Because Lord Rama worshipped the Linga, the Jyotirlinga was given the name Ramanathaswamy, and the location was shown as Rameshwaram.
The architecture of the Temple
In the Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple, many gods and goddesses have been carved onto the temple’s walls, which are dedicated to them via its architectural design.
Around the 12th century AD, the Pandya Dynasty monarchs made significant improvements to the temple. More than a kilometer-long temple corridor may be seen at the Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple, which is located inside the city of Rameswaram.
They have a total length of around 1220 meters and are comprised of more than 1200 magnificent granite pillars, all of which are in excellent condition.
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Sevas and Poojas Performed At the Temple
Several pujas are performed in the Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple every week.
The following are some of the sevas and poojas performed at the Mahakaleshwar Temple:
- Palliyarai Deepa Aradhana 5:00hrs
- Spadigalinga Deepa Aradhana 05:10hrs
- Thiruvananthal Deepa Aradhana 05:45hrs
- Vila Pooja 07:00hrs
- Kalasanthi Pooja 10:00hrs
- Uchikala Pooja 12:00hrs
- Sayaratcha Pooja 18:00hrs
- Arthajama Pooja 20:30hrs
- Palliyarai Pooja 20:45hrs
Festivals Celebrated
The following are some of the festivals that are held in Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple:
- Mahashivratri
- Ramalinga Prathishtai
- Thirukalyanam
- Navaratri & Dussera
- Aarudhira Dharshan
How to Reach
By Air: The closest airport is at Madurai, which is 174 kilometers away from Rameshwaram.
By Train: The nearest railhead is Rameshwaram Railway Station, one kilometer from the temple.
By Road: This important pilgrimage site is well-connected to the rest of the state via road. Numerous state-run and private buses are available for transportation.
Where to Stay Nearby
At Rameswaram, there are a variety of lodging alternatives to choose from. There are also accommodations available at the temple.
The TTDC Guest House offers pleasant rooms and dorms at a reasonable rate and is also available to guests.
Private Hotels
- Hyatt Place Rameswaram
- Hotel Pearl Residency
- Hotel Ashoka
- Hotel Rameswaram Grand
Other Temples Nearby
Many attractive sites around the Ramanathaswamy Temple, such as the Ram Setu, are within walking distance.
Temples in the vicinity of Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple
- Satchi Hanuman Temple
- Panchamukha Hanuman Temple
- Badrakaliamman Temple
- Nambu Nayagiamman Temple
- Kothandaramaswamy Temple
Other Things to Do
- Dhanushkodi Beach Point
- Pamban bridge
- A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial
- Ariyaman Beach
- Adam’s Bridge – Rama Setu
