Ultimate guide to the Big Char Dham of India - Puri, Rameswaram, Dwarka, Badrinath

Jagannath Temple, Puri, is a revered char dham in India, dedicated to Lord Jagannatha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Its history dates back to the 12th century when King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva constructed the temple. Located on the eastern coast of India in the state of Odisha, the temple is an architectural marvel with its towering spire (shikhara) and intricate carvings.

 

The temple is a sacred pilgrimage site and hosts the annual Rath Yatra, a grand chariot festival where the deities Jagannatha, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are ceremoniously paraded through the streets.

 

The best time to visit is during the winter months from October to March, avoiding the monsoon season. Pilgrims and tourists flock to witness the vibrant rituals, artistry, and religious fervor, experiencing the spiritual aura of Jagannath Temple, making it a must-visit destination for devotees and admirers of ancient Indian architecture.

 

Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, stands as a significant big char dham in India. Constructed in the 12th century by the Pandya dynasty, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It holds immense religious importance, believed to be the place where Lord Rama built a bridge to Lanka.

During the Treta-yuga, Lord Rama built a stone bridge from here to Sri Lanka in his mission to find Goddess Sita. The temple is well-known because, during Lord Rama's sojourn there, he built a Shiv-Ling to worship Lord Shiva, and the Shiv-Ling has remained there ever since. Lord Shiva is worshipped there in the shape of a Linga and is known as Shri Ramanath Swamy. The temple boasts intricate Dravidian architecture, featuring the longest temple corridor in the country.
Situated on Rameswaram Island, it is easily accessible by road and rail. Pilgrims often take a dip in the sacred waters of Agni Theertham before entering the temple for worship.

The best time to visit is from October to April, avoiding the monsoon season. During this period, the weather is conducive, and religious festivals like Maha Shivaratri are celebrated with fervor, providing a vibrant and spiritually enriching experience for devotees and visitors alike.

 

The Dwarkadhish Temple is in the city of Dwarka in the state of Gujarat. This temple is located near the confluence of the Gomti River and the Arabian Sea. The temple is known as one of the Dhams since it is the location where Lord Krishna chose to live during the Dwapar-yuga.
Since then, this location has been revered, and the Dwarkadhish temple has a resemblance to Lord Krishna. On the day of Lord Krishna's birth, known as Janmashtami, the entire city of Dwarka celebrates with great vigour, decorating the entire city and filling the Dwarkadheesh temple with 'Bhog' (present) for Lord Krishna.

 

The best time to visit Dwarkadhish Temple is from October to March, as the weather is pleasant. Pilgrims flock during festivals like Janmashtami to witness grand celebrations and participate in devotional rituals. The temple itself boasts remarkable architecture, featuring intricate carvings, a flag hoisted 78 meters high, and a sanctum housing the deity of Lord Krishna in his Dwarkadhish form.

 

Things to do:

• Attend Morning Aarti: Begin your spiritual journey by attending the morning aarti at Dwarkadhish Temple, where lamps are lit, and devotional songs fill the air, creating a serene and uplifting atmosphere.
• Visit the Dwarkadhish Idol: Offer your prayers and witness the divine idol of Dwarkadhish (Lord Krishna) in the sanctum sanctorum, experiencing a moment of spiritual connection and reverence.
• Circumambulate the Temple: Practice pradakshina, the act of circumambulating the temple, symbolizing devotion and respect, while enjoying the architectural beauty and historical significance of the surroundings.
• Explore the Gomti Ghat: Adjacent to the temple, explore Gomti Ghat, a sacred bathing area. Pilgrims often take a holy dip in the Gomti River, considering it auspicious for spiritual purification and blessings.

The Badrinath temple is located in Uttarakhand's Garhwal Mountains. Badrinath's divine temple was the first of the four Dhams to be discovered. Narayana, Lord Vishnu's incarnation, is reported to have visited this location for Tapasya during the Sat-yuga. When he arrived at the location, he noticed a berry tree called Badri in Sanskrit. As a result, the berry tree grows there to protect Narayana from the sun's rays and showers. Goddess Lakshmi is also said to have transformed into that tree to protect Narayana from the sun and rain so he could complete his Tapasya in peace. That is why the place is known as Badrinath, much as Shiva and Parvati are known as Badrinath. Since then, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayana have also been referred to as Badri-Nath.

So, aside from the Badrinath temple, every other Dham is within walking distance of the railway station and is open every day of the year. Because you will be heading to Badrinath temple in the hills, you may need to plan ahead of time on how you will get there, where you will stay, and other details.

Temple is open from April to October for the pilgrims.