Char Dham Yatra 2016: Know more about these places

Known for its worldwide religious significance, the Garhwal region of the state of Uttarakhand has begun the annual char dham pilgrimage on Monday with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines. The day will also mark the auspicious 'Akshay Tritiya'.

Hailed to be one of the key economic backbone of the Garhwal Himalayan region, the pilgrimage spans for a period of six months after remaining closed for six months in the winters.

Referred to as 'chota char dham', the circuit includes religious sites like Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath.

If you are one of those keen, religious globetrotters on their toes – you must consider visiting the chota char dham in the opening season. They will not only arouse the divine in you, but also bring you close to nature's paradise for its scenic beauty and ravishing ambiance. So, pack your bags and dwell in the soulful and godly abode of char dham - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath. If you want to seek blessing of Godess Ganga who descended upon Earth in the form of river, these four places are blessed with the channels of the holy river.

Badrinath:

Perched at an altitude of 3,133 meters, Badrinath is located on the right bank of Alaknanda. You will be knocked out by the beauty of the temple and find yourself at peace instantly. The temple here is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Kedarnath:

It stands on one of the 12 jyotitlingas' of Lord Shiva. It is endowed with utter scenic beauty and lies at an altitude of 3.581 meters.

Gangotri:

This place tucked away in Uttarkashi is closely associated with Goddess Ganga. This place is close to Nainital also, in case you want to explore more.

Yamunotri:

This is the first stopover of the char dham yatra. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna on top of the Bandar Poonch peak.