Journey to the Divine - Do Dham Yatra

The Do Dham Yatra is amongst the most revered Hindu pilgrimages. The Yatra consists of a visit to Badrinath and Kedarnath, two of the most sacred places as per Hindu belief. It is believed that going on a Do Dham Yatra can wash all your sins away and set you on the path of salvation. Read on to know more about the two holy sites.

Kedarnath​​

Renowned for its immense religious significance, Kedarnath Dham is believed to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and breathtaking landscapes, Kedarnath Temple is set in the Garhwal Himalayan range near Mandakini River.

As per the legends associated with the temple, Lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull to avoid the Pandavas who wished to pray to him for absolution from the guilt of killing the Kauravas, their blood relatives. On being detected by the Pandavas, Lord Shiva plunged into the ground and only the hump of his bull body remained outside. According to Hindu mythology, the Pandavas built a temple on this site, which later became the sacred Kedarnath temple.

Besides enjoying the serene atmosphere and incredible scenic beauty, attending the Rudrabhishek Puja is definitely on every devotee’s Kedarnath Yatra itinerary. The Puja is conducted every morning to seek blessings from the Rudra form of Lord Shiva.

Kedarnath Temple doors are opened for worshippers in May and closed after Diwali.

Kedarnath Dham cannot be directly accessed by the road. To reach the temple, you will have to take on a 14-km uphill trek beginning from Gaurikund. The closest airport to Gaurikund is around 98 km away in Dehradun, while the closest railway station is around 93 km away in Rishikesh. Gaurikund can easily be reached via taxis and buses from prominent towns and cities like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Chamoli and Pauri.

Read More: Kedarnath: A Comprehensive Pilgrimage Guide

Badrinath​​

Home to the sacred meditation shrine of Lord Vishnu, Badrinath Dham is located between the majestic Narayan and Nar mountain ranges. It is one of the country’s most revered pilgrimage sites and makes for the final leg of the Do Dham Yatra. Featuring picturesque landscapes and an idyllic atmosphere, the place is a paradise for devotees, nature lovers, and adventure enthusiasts. 

The significance of Badrinath Temple in the Do Dham Yatra lies in the fact that it is the reflection of Lord Vishnu’s dedication to mankind. According to legends, Badrinath Temple was built to worship and commemorate Lord Vishnu, who meditated under the Badri tree for 1000 consecutive years for mankind’s welfare.

The Badrinath Yatra cannot be considered complete until you take a dip in the sacred Tapt Kund. The hot water spring is believed to be the home of Lord Agni. According to devotees, taking a bath in the pool washes away all the sins you have committed in life. Apart from Badrinath Temple and Tapt Kund, the holy town also has another prominent sacred site called Vyas Gufa. It is believed that Lord Ganesha helped Maharishi Vyas document theMahabharata in this cave. Pilgrims can also explore the gorgeous Mana Village, located near the Tibetan-Chinese border.

Badrinath Temple is opened for worshippers every year in April/May and remains open for about six months.

The closest airport to Badrinath is around 311 km away in Dehradun, while the closest railway station is around 318 km in Haridwar. Badrinath is conveniently connected with prominent cities like Rishikesh, Dehradun, Haridwar, and Delhi through roads and can be reached easily via buses and taxis.

Read More: 10 Pilgrimages in India Worth Taking At Least Once

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