“Gangotri- Mini Char Dham “

One of the main religious places among the four char Dham pilgrimage areas, Gangotri situated in Uttarkashi,  is closely related to Goddess ganga, the river that we know as Ganges, the history of Gangotri dates back to centuries when goddess ganga transformed herself into a river to dissolve  the sins of king bhagirath's Forefather, following his penance. In order to reduce the impact of his fall Lord Shiva gathered ganga into his matted let locks and has ever associated with since goddess ganga. Gangotri is popular pilgrims place in India and tourist must visit. The Gangotri Temple was built by Gorkha commander's in the early years of eighteenth century.

Famous places to visit in Gangotri:

• Gangotri Temple: The Gangotri temple stands at the altitude of 3042 m and emits a highly pious aura. Religious and rituals are in the full swing in the Gangotri temple with the arti performed by the pujari's. This is a very religiously important temple of Hinduism. The temple is dedicated to goddess ganga and is the highest and most important shrine dedicated to deity. The sacred temple and surroundings offer a scenic view of the breathtaking Himalayas. The sight is breathtaking during morning sunrise as the sun shines from the behind the Himalayas spreading light and life to the region.

• Ganges Glaciers: At 4238 m above sea level, teeth Bhagirathi Glacier Begins at chaukhamba to merge into the gaumukh. Owing to it’s mineral content and the terrain of medical plants through which it flows,  it is believed that Ganges water is extremely pure and therapeutic so much so that it is believed that even it is kept for years the water doesn’t become contaminated. You can also trek up the glaciers to reach nanadanvan and gaumukh.

Auden’s Col: Aiden’s cool trek is a dream trek for every experienced trekkers and mountaineer it was first discovered in  1935 by John Bicknell Auden. The trail passes through thick forest of Alpine trees, Meadows dotted with varied species of flowers gushing streams and cut through numerous villages secluded within the Garhwal  Himalayas and several temples that reflects religious and several temples that reflects the religious significance of Garhwal Region.

Kedar Tal: Kedar Tal is also knows as the Shiva Lake it is located at the altitude of 4425 m above the sea level. This is one of the highest lake in Uttrakhand. This immaculate glacial lake located in Uttarkashi district. This emerald lake is form by melting of Kedar glaciers. There by giving birth to Kedar  Ganga  rivers which is the important tributary of Bhagirathi River. This lake holds the crystal Clear waters.

Kedarnath

The most remote of the four Chota Dham sites, Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas, about 3,583 m above sea level near Chorabari Glaciers, the head of river Mandakini, Kedarnath is town located in the Indian state of Uttrakhand and gained a huge tourists popularity. Kedarnath has been a pilgrimage Centre since the ancient times, although it is not certain who constructed the original Kedarnath temple and when.

 Popular Attractions of Kedarnath:

• Kedarnath Temple:The Kedarnath Temple located on the Garhwal Himalayan range in the Rudraprayag District of the Uttrakhand, India is one of the most prestigious and scared Hindu Temples. Situated at a height of 3,583 meters, the temple is highest among the 12 jyotirlingas and is dedicated to lord Shiva. The present Kedarnath temple is believed to reconstructed by Adi Shankar Acharya, originally built by the Pandavas thousand years ago from enormous stone slabs over a large rectangular dais, Kedar is another nameof lord Shiva.

• Son Prayag: son Prayag is a place of religious significance located in route to Kedarnath Dham, Prayag means confluence and son Prayag lies at the confluence of two holy rivers Basuki and Mandakini. The Hindu religion bath at the Prayag's is believed to be holy and attainment of 'Moksha' is possible. Son Prayag offers a scintillating views of snow covered mountains and lush green son Prayag valley. It is situatedat an elevation of 1829 M above sea level.

• Mandakini River: Mandakini rivers emerges for Chorabari Glacier near Kedarnath in Uttrakhand, in India. This River is a tributary of Alaknanada River and is fed by Vasukinganga River at son Prayag. The river merges with Kaliganga near Kalimath templeand with MadhyamaheshwarGanga near ukhimath. The Mandakini River drains into Alaknanada at Rudraprayag. Alaknanada then makes its way to Devprayag and merges with Bhagirathi River to form the mighty Ganga River. This River has a Length of 72km. Mandakini River is considered to be pious for the Hindus as it associated with Bhagwat Geeta, a Hindu mythology.

• Gupt Kashi: Guptkashi an ideal stopover place for the devotees travelling to Kedarnath, is famous for the Ardhnareshwar and Vishwanath temples. It is situated at 47kms before the holy shrine of Lord Shiva, it is located on the route to Kedarnath on a ridge on the west side of the Mandakini River valley at an elevation of 1,319 m above sea level. Guptkashi is important town of Uttrakhandas it houses ancient temples like Vishwanath temples and Ardhnareshwar temple.

Badrinath

One of most amazing places you would come across is  the Northern Himalayas and the indo-Tibet Border.Badrinath is holy town and a nagar panchayat in Chamoli District in the state of Uttrakhand, India. And the town gets it’s name from the Badrinath temple. Vasudhara falls is a short in short but amazingly quiet and serene trek before you actually touch the route to heaven as it’s popularly known as from the legend of Mahabharata. Where yudhistira and his four brothers along with a dog trekked the mountains in a bid to reach the gates of heaven with only the eldest of the Pandavas making it up there.

 Attractions of Badrinath:

• Badrinath Temple: the famed town of Badrinath is among is one of them from the four dominant Char Dham pilgrimage sites of India. It is perched at an average elevation of 3,300 meters about 10,827 feet above sea level on the banks of Alaknanada River. The holy town Badrinath is one of the most popular and visited religious towns of the Hindus located in the Chamoli District of Uttrakhand in India. The town of Badrinath lies between Nar and Narayana mountains ranges and in the shadow of the mighty Neelkantha peak.

• Vasudhara falls: At a distance of 11.5km from Badrinath and 6km from Mana villages, Vasudhara falls is one of the famous tourist attractions around Badrinath. It is one of the popular places for short trekking near Badrinath. Vasudhara Badrinath falls is surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks. The water of this cascading falls flows from the height of 400 feet and is situated at an altitude of 1200 feet. The falls is considered as haunting site as there is a myth behind this waterfall that the water of Vasudhara falls turns awayfrom the visitors who are not pure at heart.

• Brahma Kapal: Brahma Kapal is about 2km from Badrinath. It is believed that Lord Brahma resides in the Brahma Kapal Ghat. Brahma Kapal is flat platform which is of great importance for Hindus who perform rituals and pay homepage to the departed souls and also offers Shraddha to their ancestors at this place. Brahma Kapal holds the mythical belief that it was at this place where Lord Shiva relieved from his curse of killing Brahma. It is also believe that Brahma's head had fallen from Shiva trident here at Brahma Kapal.

Bheem pul: it is believed that one of the Pandavas brothers called Bheema for his beloved wife Draupati made this natural Bridge. According to Hindu mythology this was the place from where the Pandavas started their journey to heaven called swargarohini. During this journey Draupati the was unable to cross the river then Bheema lifted a huge Rock and placed it between the gorge.

Tour Requirement:

• For Adults - Photo Identification in the form of Passport / Aadhar Card / Driving License / Voter ID
• For Students - Photo identification in the form of Passport / Aadhar Card / PAN card. Carry Original as well as 2 photocopies of school or college photo identity card.
• For Infants - Carry 2 passport sized Photographs

Things to Carry:

• Mobile Phones with Appropriate Sim Card.
• Along with your necessary clothing and toiletries carry sun screen lotion, hand sanitiser, sun glasses, cap, sports shoes, umbrella / Winchester, camera etc. and woollens if needed
• If you are on any medication, carry sufficient stock of the medicines with prescription.

Weather:

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