Before starting the journey of Char Dham, know these important things, which gods reside in which Dham?:

News India Live, Digital Desk: The bugle of Char Dham Yatra 2026 has been sounded in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Lakhs of devotees are registering themselves for darshan of Baba Kedar, Badri Vishal, Gangotri and Yamunotri. But do you know what is the religious importance of these four holy places situated in the lap of Himalayas and which gods are worshiped there? According to the scriptures, there is a special order of visiting these Dhams and each Dham has its own mythological story.

Correct sequence of Yatra: Starting from Yamunotri and ending at Badrinath.

According to Sanatan tradition, the journey to Char Dham is always done in the direction of ‘West to East’. The journey first starts from Yamunotri Dham, after which Gangotri, then Kedarnath and finally Badrinath Dham are visited. It is believed that by traveling in this sequence one attains eternal virtue and all the wishes of the seeker are fulfilled.

1. Yamunotri Dham: The sacred abode of Sun’s daughter Yamuna.

The first stop of the journey is Yamunotri. Here Mother Yamuna Is worshipped, who is considered the daughter of Surya and sister of Yamraj. In Yamunotri, devotees cook rice in the hot water of ‘Surya Kund’ and consume it as Prasad. It is believed that by taking bath here one gets freedom from the fear of untimely death.

2. Gangotri Dham: Where Mother Ganga descended on earth

The second stop is Gangotri Dham, which Mother Ganga is devoted to. According to mythology, pleased with the rigorous penance of King Bhagiratha, Mother Ganga descended from heaven to earth at this very place. There is a rock in the form of Shivalinga located here, which remains submerged and is visible only in winter when the water level decreases.

3. Kedarnath Dham: The court of the eleventh Jyotirlinga Baba Bholenath.

The third and most inaccessible stop is Kedarnath. Here Lord Shiva Eleventh Jyotirlinga Is worshipped. Situated on the banks of Mandakini river, this Dham is like heaven for Shiva devotees. It is believed that after the Mahabharata war, Lord Shiva appeared at this place in the form of the back part (hump) of a bull to liberate the Pandavas from their sins.

4. Badrinath Dham: Abode of Lord Vishnu, the creator of the world.

The last and most important stop of the journey is Badrinath Dham. It has been considered similar to ‘Baikuntha’. Here Lord Vishnu ‘Badri Vishal’ The form is worshipped. God is seated here in meditation posture. It is said that Goddess Lakshmi had taken the form of ‘Badri’ (plum) tree to protect her from sun and rain, hence the place was named Badrinath.