Uttaranchal Pilgrimage Travel

Category :- All India Travel Tourism > States > Pilgrimage > Uttaranchal

Badrinath

Legend holds that Vishnu on being rebuked by Narad for enjoying worldly pleasures came to this place for meditation and named this place 'Badrivan' on the berries available on which he fed. This place was recovered by Adi Guru Shankracharya who revived Hinduism when it was on the verge of extinction during the reign of King Ashoka.

Hemkund Sahib
Hem kund as the name suggests is a lake at high altitude. The main attraction is the Gurudwara. It is said that Shri Guru Govind Singh Ji (Tenth Guru of Sikhs and the founder of the Khalsa Panth) meditated on the bank of the lake where a number of sages and religious teachers of the Hindu mythology, including Rishi Medhasa of the Markandeya Purana and King Pandu (Father of the Pandavas), did penance. There is a temple there as well, besides the Gurudwara.

Haridwar
Haridwar means "Door of Gods" or the Gateway to Paradise. This pilgrimage center is among the seven most sacred pilgrimages in India and is associated with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Legend has it that the yakshas and the devas had the great darshan of Lord Vishnu here.

River Ganges is worshipped as 'holy mother' who is capable of cleansing all sins of men. Everyday thousands of devout throng the Ghats at Harki- Pauri to perform puja and aarti.The aarti in the evenings is a spectacular sight, with the lighted lamps flowing in the river.

Every twelve years the kumbh mela and every six-year the ardh kumbh mela (half kumbh) are held here,when lacs of pilgrims from all over India throng the ghats of the Ganga to wash away their sins and cleanse their souls.

Rishikesh
Rishikesh is 24 kms upstream Haridwar. Legend holds that Raibhya Rishi's severe penance was rewarded here. God appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh hence the name. There are many ashrams here, some being internationally known for Philosophy, Yoga and Ayurveda. An international Yoga week is organised here every year by U.P. Tourism between 2nd and 7th February.

Yamunotri
Yamunotri is the source of the of the river Yamuna. The origin of the river Yamuna is the Champasar Glacier, which is very difficult to reach. However, on the western flank of Bandarpuch peak is the Yamunotri shrine dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Pilgrims flock to this shrine which is open from May to November. Legend has it that a sage, Asit Muni, used to reside at this secluded spot. The other attraction here is the hot springs.

Gangotri
Gangotri is one of the four dhams of Uttarkhand. It is the source of the holy river Ganga and is situated at a height of 10200 ft above the sea level in the district of Uttarkashi. According to Hindu mythology, Ganga was granted as a reward for king Bhagirathi's severe penance, and the river is worshipped as a deity. The temple is on the right bank of river Bahgirathi which is a tributary of river Ganga. Gamukh 18kms from Gangotri is the physical source of the river. It is said that over the years the glacier has receded. During the Vedic age it extended upto Gangotri.