Difference between revisions of "Char Dham"
Revision as of 11:04, 8 July 2011
Char Dham is a group of four sacred site in India.
Char Dham (Devanagari: चार धाम) (literally: 'the four abodes/seats') are the names of four piligrimage places in India that are widely revered by most of the "Hindus". They are: Badrinath, Dwarka, Jagannath Puri, and Rameshwaram..
The Char Dham defined by Adi Shankaracharya consists of two Vaishnavite, one Shaivite, and one mixed site. Over the years, the term "Char Dham" has lent itself to the all-denomination Char Dham pilgrimages in the Garhwal Himalayas, where Adi Shankaracharya attained freedom from embodiment. Earlier known as Chota Char Dham or 'Little' Char Dham to differentiate them from the bigger circuit of Char Dham sites, after the mid-20th century they themselves started being called the Char Dham Today, the term "Char Dham" usually refers to the all-denomination Himalayan Char Dham.
The Char Dham are often considered the most revered sites for Hindus that have to be visited in one's lifetime.