The most interesting thing I have done as a Local Guide: Char Dham Yatra – a mystical journey in quest of “Moksha” (salvation).
Char Dham Yatra translates into pilgrimage to the four heavenly abodes in India which Hindu’s believe leads to “Moksha” (salvation). These revered pilgrimage sites are:
- Jagannath Puri (Odisha, situated in Eastern India),
- Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu, situated in Southern India),
- Dwarka (Gujarat, situated in Western India),
- Badrinath (Uttaranchal, situated in Northern India).
I became aware of the significance of the Char Dham Yatra growing up as my parents and grandparents imbibed us with socio-religious values and the ability to lead our lives righteously.
The religious significance was not lost on me (considering my parents and grandparents couldn’t undertake the Char Dham Yatra) as my wife and I embarked on this momentous journey in early August 2018 in India after flying in from Vancouver, Canada.
Our Char Dham Yatra had us driving over 12,500 kilometers in 37 days across India. Starting from Hoshiarpur (Punjab), we drove to Jagannath Puri (Odisha, Eastern India) going through New Delhi, Lucknow (Imambada), Ayodhya (Shri Ram Janmabhoomi), Prayagraj (pilgrimage city also known as Allahabad), Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath), Patna (Patna Sahib Gurdwara), Bodh Gaya (Buddhist pilgrimage site), Kolkata (Damdama Sahib Gurdwara, Kali Badi, Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Victoria Memorial), Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
Built around 1100 CE, the Jagannath Puri temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s Krishna reincarnation and its sacred environment is testament of India’s spirituality from the medieval times. The inner peace and solace you experience within the temple precincts is unparalleled.
As we wound up in Jagannath Puri and started for Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu, Southern India) we drove through Konark (ancient Sun Temple), Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijaywada, Hyderabad (Birla Mandir, Salarjung Museum, Golconda Fort and Charminar) and Chennai.
The Rameswaram temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s Ram reincarnation and reflects his reverence for Lord Shiv. The town of Rameswaram revolves around the temple complex. Short excursions to Dhanushkodi and a museum/memorial in honor of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India were welcome diversions.
Continuing further south we arrived in Madurai to visit the Meenakshi Temple which was maybe to most vibrant yet sobering moment of our trip so far. Intricately sculptured stone deities adorn the exterior and interiors of this magnificent temple complex.
Continuing further south we reached Kanyakumari (the southernmost town in India) only to turn back towards northwestern India and Dwarka in particular. This drive took us through southern India’s best-known hill station Kodaikanal, Coimbatore, the rollicking tea gardens of Ooty, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Belgaum, Pune, Mumbai and onto Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and ultimately Dwarka (Gujarat, Western India).
While Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Rameswaram Temple complexes had us self-introspecting and the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai fascinated us with its sheer vibrance – the Dwarkadheesh temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s Krishna reincarnation had us spell bound. The entire town had a festive feel reflecting Lord Krishna’s charismatic persona.
The streets were filled with colorfully dressed locals, tourists, saints and Pandits. The temple complex overlooking the Arabian Sea was filled with devotees eager on having a brief glimpse of the presiding deity of Lord Krishna.
The surrounding alleys were overflowing with visitors frequenting small shops selling almost everything one would possibly desire. The ocean front is great for exploring the towns shoreline. Excursions to nearby temples like Nageshwar Shiv Temple, Rukmani Devi Temple and Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple were well worth visiting during this epic nationwide pilgrimage.
As we drove on from Dwarka, spiritually contented towards Somnath Temple, Somnath – the road predominantly wound by the ocean side offering scenic views, golden colored sandy beaches, gigantic waves and high cross winds.
Somnath Temple has the dubious distinction of being looted over and over by Persian invaders and was reconstructed post-independence. The temple is spacious, well maintained and meticulously maintained.
Moving on our sights were squarely set on Badrinath (Uttaranchal, Northern India), we drove through Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Ajmer, Jaipur, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Chamoli, Joshimath, Gobind Ghat and Lambagad. The drive from Rishikesh to Badrinath threw up some of the most challenging and treacherous sections with frequent road closures due to landslides and flash floods washing away entire stretches of roads.
Not to be deterred, we continued onwards higher and deeper into the Himalayas to finally reach Badrinath. Badrinath is a quaint little town and the town’s economy is totally dependent on devotees visiting the Badri Vishal temple complex perched on the banks of the raging Alaknanda River.
The Badri Vishal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The environment within the temple precincts is calm. The soul soothing hymns being chanted by holy men ever so mesmerizing. One is forced to acknowledge the presence of God in one form or another.
Located at an altitude of 3100 plus meters above sea level, surrounded by snow clad mountain peaks, Badrinath offers some of the most amazing view’s nature has to offer. The roaring white waters of the Alaknanda river ever so soothing and calming.
It is also said that Lord Brahma recited the holy Vedas to Lord Ganesh who wrote them for mankind just north of Badrinath town. There are several excursions just north of Badrinath including one to the last Indian controlled village before the Chinese controlled territory begins.
The reality of having finished our Char Dham Yatra successfully was truly humbling, having met so many fellow devotees and tourists we got acquainted with while traversing India.
Our return to Hoshiarpur after completing the Char Dham Yatra saw us driving down the Himalayas past Haridwar, Dehradun, Paonta Sahib (Paonta Sahib Gurdwara) and Shimla.
We flew back to Canada on completion of our epic Char Dham Yatra.
