Pilgrimage

Steeped in religious mythology, legends and heritage, Uttarakhand is home to a number of revered temples, holy rivers and spiritual sites. Devotees flock to here for pilgrimages to Char Dham (four religious centres namely Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri) and to Panch Prayag, the confluence of rivers in five sites that ultimately form River Ganga, one of India’s most sacred rivers and worshipped as a goddess, along with visits to several other destinations of religious importance (like Bageshwar, Joshimath, Baijnath to name a few) in the state that is also referred to as the land of pilgrims.

Char Dham

The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most revered and significant pilgrimage circuits in Hinduism, located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. This sacred journey involves visiting four holy shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath,
and Badrinath—nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. These shrines are collectively known as the “Char Dham,” which translates to “Four Abodes.” The yatra typically begins in late April or early May and continues until October or November, depending on weather conditions.

Panch Kedar

Panch Kedar refers to the five sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. According to legend, after the Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata, the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva for killing their kin. However, Shiva, not wanting to forgive them, transformed into a bull and tried to hide in the Himalayas. The Pandavas eventually found him, and parts of his body appeared at five different locations, which are now revered as the Panch Kedar temples.

Panch Prayag

Panch Prayag refers to the meeting points of five sacred rivers in Uttarakhand. These rivers are Alaknanda, Dhauliganga, Nandakini, Pindar, and Mandakini, which all originate in the Himalayas. Their confluences, known as “Prayag” or “Sangam,” are considered holy in Hinduism. Many devotees visit these sites to take a dip in the waters, believing it helps wash away their sins.