What is Char Dhaam Yatra?

• Char Dhams are the famous four holy places of Hindu Pilgrimages, which are nestled among the lofty peaks of Himalayas in Uttarakhand.
• This hindu pilgrimage Char Dham circuit consists of four sites located in Garhwal region: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
• These pilgrimage centers draw the maximum numbers of pilgrims each year, thus becoming the most important hubs of religious travel in the whole of Northern India.
• 

About Char Dhaam Yatra

• These four ancient temples also mark the spiritual source of four sacred rivers as well: River Yamuna (Yamunotri), River Ganga or Ganges (Gangotri), River Mandakini (Kedarnath) and River Alaknanda (Badrinath).
• Each of these four sites is devoted to a specific deity.
• Yamunotri is dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna.
• Gangotri is dedicated to the Goddess Ganga.
• The shrine overlooks the River Bhagirathi which is geographically considered as the headstream of Ganga.
• Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also a part of the Panch Kedar. It is the northernmost Jyotirlinga.
• Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Why in News?

• Due to Covid-19  pandemic, July is turning out to be a dry month for those involved in the pilgrimage and sacred tourism industry in Uttarakhand.
• Uttarakhand is known as Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods), as it is the land of great pilgrimages, sacred temples and places, which attracts millions of pilgrims and spiritual seekers to get enlightenment.