Shri Krishna Brahma Dharma Trust
TOUR PACKAGES
CHAR DHAM YATRA
Yamunotri
Gangotri
Shri Kedarnath
Shri Badrinath
 BADRINATH DHAM :
Badrinath is known as the seat of the god Vishnu in his aspect of Badrinarayan. It is one of the most important of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. It is located in the Himalayas, at a height of 10,248 feet above sea level. The route to Badrinath is one of the most arduous one due to the lofty hilly terrain, curves and cliffs amidst the most scenically beautiful place on the earth.
The Temple: The temple was built by the Kings of Garhwal about two centuries ago. The temple has three sections - Garbhagriha (Sanctum), The Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap. The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) houses Lord Badri Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad Rishi, Uthavar, Nar & Narayan.
Lord Badri Narayan (also called as Badri Vishal) is armed with Shankh (Conch) and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra. The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana - vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. Here are also the idols of Adi Shankar, Swami Desikan and Shri Ramanujan Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to have its roots here.
Places worth visiting in Badrinath : The pilgrimage centre boasts of two natural hot water springs - Tapt Kund and Surya Kund. The sulphurous waters have a temperature of 55oC. A bath in these springs is believed to purify the body and soul and is done before visiting the temple.
Panch Badris:
1. Vishal Badri: Refers to main Shri Badri Narayan Temple and is considered to be the most sacred one.
2. Yogadhyan Badri: Located at a distance of 24 kms. from Badri Nath and at 20 kms. from Joshimath. This is also the place where Maharaj Pandu (father of the Pandava princes) prayed to Pandukeshwar.
3. Bhavishya Badri: This is located at 17 kms. from Joshimath and is a small village.
4. Preetha Badri: Located at 17 kms. from Joshimath at a place called Animath. Adi Shankar is believed to have worshipped Lord Badrinath here for some time.
5. Adi Badri: This is located at a distance of 16 kms. from Karnaprayag. Several temples constructed during Gupt Dynasty are here of which Mana Narayanan temple is considered to be the most popular one.
Village Mana - Vyas Gufa: This village, located at a distance of 3 kms from Badri is the last Indian Village situated in the Indo-China Border and has gained historical importance on account of Vyas Caves. This village, located on the banks of River Saraswati, is the only place where this river can be seen. Maharishi Vyas (Sage), author of Mahabharat is believed to have lived in these caves. These are named after him. It is known that in these caves, Maharishi Vyas composed the Mahabharata. This was done at the orders of his mentor Kalpatru Maharishi who appeared in his dream. Mahabharata depicts the history of Pandavs, Kauravs including Kurukshetra War and most importantly Bhagawad Gita told by Krishna (reincarnation of Vishnu) to Arjuna. Ganesh, the son of Shiv & Parvati, is said to have helped Vyas Maharishi in putting this epic in written form. In addition to Mahabharat, Maharishi Vyas composed 18 puranas (legendary stories), Brahma Sutras and classified the Hindu Vedas into 4 parts - Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. It is only in this cave that Adi Shankara is believed to have met Maharishi Vyas and discussed his Bhashyam (explanatory notes) for Brahma Sutras.
Rock formation inside the Vyas Gufa appears to resemble the orderly stacking of palm leave manuscripts - oldest writing material and is worshipped as Vyas Pustak. Maharishi Vyas is also considered by some as reincarnation of Vishnu.
Another Cave called as Ganesh Gufa (cave) is also located in this village.
Valley of Flowers: This valley was discoverd by Frank S. Smythe in 1931. The valley is full of vibrant flowers, hence the named as such. River Pushpavati flows near this valley, while the massive Rataban peak forms a splendid backdrop.
Govindghat: It is situated between Joshimath and Badrinath. Gobindghat is the starting point for trek to the valley.
Lok-Pal Hemkund: It is one of the most famous Gurudwaras in India, Hemkund Sahib is located here at an altitude of 4320 metres above sea level. There is a Lok-Pal Hemkund lake near it with crystal clear water. There are four peaks surrounding it.
Mata Murti Mandir: About 3 km. from Badrinath and on the right bank of the Alaknanda, this temple, dedicated to the mother of Shri Badrinath, is located.
Vasuki Tal: This is a high altitude lake which can be reached by an 8 km trek that ascends to 14,200 feet. Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimput and Vasudhara Falls are 3-6 km. All these destinations are famous for their links with Hindu mythology and form part of the pilgrimage to Badrinath.
Joshimath: This is the first math established by Shri Adi Sankara. It is located at a distance of 14 kms. from Helang enroute to Badri. Adi Sankara is believed to have got enlightenment here and authored Sri Sankara Bhashyam. This is located at a height of 6150 ft. above sea level. Here, there are separate temples for Lord Narasimha and Lord Vasudev (different forms of Lord Vishnu). This is one of the 108 Divya Desams (sung by Sacred Vaishnavaite Saints).
In the temple for Lord Narasimha, separate statues of Badri narayan, Uthavar, Kuber, Chandikadevi, Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Garud can be seen together in the sanctum sanctorum. Outside the temple separate statues of Brahma, Krishana, Lakshmi and Anjaneya (Hanuman) can be seen. Vyas Maharishi is believed to have worshipped Goddess Lakshmi here. The presiding deity Lord Narasimha is believed to have been established by Adi Sankara. It is widely believed that one hand of the presiding deity is getting weakened and the day it disjoints, the way to Badri will get eternally blocked and Lord Badri Narayan will thereafter give darshan only from either Bhavishya Badri or Adi Badri (part of Panch Badris).
The temple of Lord Vasudev houses Lord Vasudev in the sanctum sanctorum as well as Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Leela devi, Urvasi devi & Balram. Further separate structures are available for Vinayaka, Brahma, Indira, Chandrama (Moon), Navadurgas & Gauri Shankar.
Pandukeshwar: This place is believed to have been established by King Pandu, father of Pandavas. It is situated at 4 kms. from Govind Ghat, 219 kms. from Kedarnath and 24 kms. from Badrinath. There are two temples - one for Lord Yogabadri Narayan and the other for Lord Vasudev. During winter, Lord Vasudev temple will function as the abode for Lord Badri Narayan and all the daily rituals connected with the worship are performed here. Both the temples are quite old.
The temple remains closed from October to April due to severe winter conditions. During this period the idols of Utsavo murti are taken to Pandukeshwar.
Travel Information:
Airport - Jolly Grant, located at Dehradun, which is 315 kms. away.
Railhead The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, which is at a distance of 292 kms.
Best Time To Visit:
Ideal time for visiting the shrine will be between May to November. One should carry Sweaters, woolen clothing, Umbrella and required medicines during the trip. Minimum luggage should be preferred. Non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks are strictly prohibited in this place.
 SHRI KEDARNATH DHAM:
Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimage places, located in the Uttaranchal state of India. Kedarnath is one of the twelve jyotirlings. It sis one of the most remote four Dham sites. Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas, about 3584m above sea level near the head of river Mandakini, and is flanked by breathtaking snow-capped peaks.
Besides its affiliation with Shiva, Kedarnath is also believed to be the site of Shankaracharya's samadhi. The actual temple is an impressive stone edifice of unknown date. No specific family of pujaris supervises rituals at Kedarnath, which focus around veneration of the stone lingam that rests in the inner sanctum of the temple.
Kedarnath is accessible only after a steep 13 km. trek through a paved path (horses or palanquins are available for rent) from Gaurikund, which is connected by road from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and other important hill stations of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions in Uttaranchal. The temple is open only during the months of May to October, due to heavy snowfall and extreme cold weather during winter.
Places to See ( Kedarnath)
Gandhi Sarovar: A small lake from where Yudhishthir, the eldest of the Pandavas, is said to have departed to heaven. A km. trek from Kedarnath, floating ice on the crystal clear waters
Gaurikund: Base for a trek to Kedarnath and serves as a road head, the village has hot springs & a temple dedicated to Gauri.
Vasuki Tal: 6 km. Located at 4135 mtr. above sea level, this lake is extraordinary, surrounded by high mountains offering an excellent view of the Chaukhamba peaks
Sonprayag: 20 km. The confluence of the Son Ganga and Mandakini rivers, where there is a diversion for Triyuginarayan.
Triyuginarayan: 25 km. It is the mythological venue where the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati was solemnized. It is a short trek of 5 km. from Son Prayag. An eternal flame, which is said to have been the witness to the marriage, burns in front of the temple even today.
Guptkashi: 49 km. Famous for the temples of Ardhnarishwar and Vishwanathji.
Chopta: Situated on the Gopeshwar Ukhimath road about 40 km from Gopeshwar at an altitude of about 2500 mtrs. above sea level, Chopta is one of the most picturesque spots in the entire Garhwal region. It provides a breathtaking view of Himalayan ranges surrounding it Deoria Tal. At an altitude of 2,440 mt., this beautiful lake is situated on the Chopta - Ukhimath motor road. In the early morning, the snow-capped peaks are clearly reflected on the lake waters. This lake also provides an excellent venue for angling, as well as birdwatching.
Panch Kedar: kedarnath, madmaheshwar, tungnath, rudranath, kalpeshwer are the five most important temples of Lord Shiva in Garhwal Himalayas. They are known as Panch Kedar.
Kedarnath Travel Information
Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh.
Airport: Nearest railway Station is Air Jolly Grant, Dehradun
 GANGOTRI DHAM :
Gangotri, (Ganga' + 'Uttari' which means descent of Ganga) the picturesque pilgrimage in the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time.
It is situated at 99 km. from Uttrarkashi, at the height of 3140 meters. A shrine dedicated to the Goddess was built some 250 years ago by Amar Bahadur Thapa, the Gorkha Commander.
According to mythology, Goddess Ganga - the daughter of heaven, manifested herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath's predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received into his matted locks to minimize the immense impact of her fall. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her legendary source.
The physical source of the holy river is at Gaumukh, 18 kms. further uphill, along the Gangotri Glacier. Several pilgrims trek upto the source to offer prayers either on foot or on ponies.The verdant valleys, dense forests and towering peaks offer excellent trekking and mountaineering opportunities for adventure enthusiasts.
General information about Gangotri :
Altitude : 3140 meters
Temperature : Max. Min. Summer 20 deg. C, 6 deg. C. Winter sub-zero, snowbound
Winter -Very heavy woollen
Best Season: May to June and September to October
 YAMUNOTRI DHAM:
Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the goddess Yamuna, is one of the four sites famous as Char Dham pilgrimage. The temple of Yamunotri falls on the left bank and was originally constructed by Maharaj Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. Yamunotri temple is Situated in the direction opposite to Gangotri and the road bifurcates and goes to Yamunotri from Dharasu, a place between Rishikesh - Uttarkashi. Another 55 km. away is Barkot, affording a fabulous view of the Banderpunch Range. Barkot is also approachable by road directly from all the major cities in India.
Near the temple are three hot springs. The most important, Surya Kund, is a tank full of boiling water into which rice and potatoes are dipped to be cooked and taken as "prasad". Near the Kund, a rock slab, the "Divya Shila" is worshipped before puja is offered to the black marble idol of Yamuna.
One has to reach at actual temple of Yamunotri only by a six kilometer walk from Hanuman chati.
General Information About Yamunotri :
Altitude : 3165
Temperature : Summer: Max. 20 deg.C. Min. 6 deg.C.
Winter : Max. Sub-Zero Min. Snowbound
Best Season : May to June and September to October
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