Dehradun: The winter seats of the Char Dham shrines in Uttarakhand are significant for tourism development, potentially attracting many pilgrims during the winter months when the four main shrines—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri—are closed for about six months.
The winter Chardham Yatra started in Uttarakhand on Sunday, 8 December this year. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the winter Chardham Yatra from Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. Jyotirmath Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand first initiated the concept of the Winter Char Dham Yatra, and the Uttarakhand government has since taken it seriously, working to implement it. The Winter Char Dham Yatra will feature four major stops, with efforts underway to connect these stops with religious tourism.
Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath is winter seat of Lord Kedarnath
The Omkareshwar temple in Rudraprayag’s Ukhimath is the first stop of the Winter Char Dham Yatra. This choice is special because Lord Kedar resides in the Omkareshwar temple during the winters, where he is worshipped for six months. When the Kedarnath Yatra begins, the movable idol of Lord Kedar is transported from Omkareshwar to Kedarnath through various stops, continuing the yatra for another six months. During this period, lakhs of devotees visit Kedarnath, which is situated at an altitude of 3562 meters.
Benefits of paying obeisance in winter season
Reaching Kedarnath shrine is challenging, requiring devotees to walk several kilometers, although a helicopter service is available at an additional cost. For those unable to make the journey to Kedarnath, visiting Baba Kedar at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath during winter is a viable alternative. Unlike the monsoon season, winter pilgrims are safe from weather challenges like rains, cloudbursts, and landslides. Additionally, they won’t encounter the usual crowd and traffic problems. In winter, besides visiting the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, nearby destinations such as Chopta, Tungnath, Devriyatal, and Triyuginarayan can also be explored, making it an enjoyable season for visiting these places.
Narasimha temple in Jyotirmath, the winter seat of Lord Badrinath
Narsingh Temple in Joshimath is dedicated to Lord Narsimha, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In Hindu mythology, Lord Narsimha is depicted as a half-lion, half-human form, symbolizing divine protection and the triumph of good over evil. This temple houses a statue of Lord Narasimha, established by Adi Shankaracharya. The throne of Adi Shankaracharya is also worshipped here. It holds special significance for Hindus, as Adi Guru Shankaracharya conceived the Char Dham shrines concept. Additionally, it serves as the site where Lord Badrinath is worshipped during the winter months.
Jyotirmath houses famous skiing destination ‘Auli’
Jyotirmath is a hill station with the winter destination of Auli nearby, where winter games are held. Many people visit Auli to enjoy the snowfall. Also nearby is the Pandukeshwar temple, where Lord Badrinath’s representative Uddhav Ji is worshipped. Additionally, the famous Gopeshwar Mahadev temple is close to Jyotirmath, where devotees can pay obeisance to Lord Shiva in his ‘Gopi’ form.
Ma Yamuna’s winter seat ‘Kharsali’ offers scenic beauty of snow-capped mountains
Kharsali, also known as ‘Khushimath,’ is a tranquil and untouched village located in the scenic Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. Positioned at an impressive elevation of 2,675 meters above sea level, this small hamlet is not only a visual delight but also holds significant religious importance. During winters, Mother Yamuna is worshipped in Kharsali, which serves as her winter residence in the Shani Dev temple. This temple, made of wood and stones, is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during the time of the Mahabharata. With the initiation of the Winter Char Dham Yatra, Kharsali and its surrounding areas are expected to gain more recognition, boosting tourism and significantly increasing government revenue.
Ma Ganga resides in Mukhba village in winter season
Mukhba village in Uttarkashi is revered among devout Hindus as one of the holiest destinations in northern India. During the winter months of November to April, when the main temple of Gangotri Dham is closed for Darshan, the idol of the presiding deity, Goddess Ganga, is moved to a temple in Mukhba village. Here, she is worshipped for the winter months, allowing pilgrims the opportunity to offer their prayers to the goddess even when the main temple is not accessible.
Winter Char Dham Yatra is expected to provide employment opportunities
The commencement of the Winter Char Dham Yatra is expected to provide employment opportunities during the season, which will help reduce migration from the region. Additionally, this initiative will ease the pressure on the main Dhams. The Uttarakhand government is enthusiastic about the Winter Char Dham Yatra. This yatra not only promises to boost tourism and generate significant revenue for the state, but it also offers a fresh perspective on Uttarakhand, blending spirituality, tourism, and adventure.
