Chardham Tours in India

Char dham is largely recognized for an abode of god in India. There are four different abodes of god is positioned in four different place in India i.e. a puri in the Dwarka in the west region, east region, Rameshwaram in the south region, and Badrinath in the north region. Kedarnathand, Yamunatri, Gangotri, and Badrinath. All four places are the most famed spiritual Pilgrimage tours in India that is positioned in lap of Indian Himalayas.

The most popular temple city of Haridwar holds the gateway to the char dham. However, Rishikesh and haridwar, Dehradun is a capital of Uttaranchal, to provide access to them. North India's pilgrimage hosts the number of Hindu temples that you can visit when you are on your Char Dham Yatra. The holy rivers like Ganga and Yamuna are known for their historical importance that has held Hindu faith instilled in the people of India. All the ancient scriptures of Hindu literature speak highly about these rivers and their holistic importance.

Yamunotri word is resultant from the famed Indian River Yamuna, and it is located in Uttrarkashi district of Uttarakhand and it is known for a chota char Dham Hindu pilgrimage destination in India. But it holds the high position among pilgrims, as it is believed to be the seat of Goddess Yamuna. A complete day has to be spent in order to reach here from Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun. However, the real test lies in the 6 hour walk from Hanuman Chotti that is the last motor ably accessible place. You need to walk a long stretch in order to visit the holy place. The hot spring here is a geographical speculates and is used to cook prasad out of rice.

The Gangotri word is appear from the main Indian River Ganga, and it is the abode of Goddess Ganga. Gangotri spiritual pilgrimage destination is positioned in banks of the river Bhagirati.The goddess is worshiped every evening and the whole ritual is a must see when you are visiting Char Dham in India. The whole majestic view of thousands of earthen lamps floating on the river has a mesmerizing effect. Therefore; it is listed lofty in both religious and geographical terms. It is connected by day’s journey from Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun. You can as well alternatively take a 2 day’s journey from Yamunotri. When you travel by road you are able to see more visits by pilgrims than Yamunotri. Gomukh, which is the actual existing source of the Ganga, is the 17 km trek from here. An overnight stay holds a lot of more exploit. It is one of the most daring spots that attracts adventure travelers each year to explore the power of River Ganga.

Kedarnath and Badrinath are the 2 famous holy places for devotion. 1000s of devotees visit these shrines with profound religious feeling from all over the world every year. According to Indian religious books Badrinath and Kedarnath are measured as the most famous devotional places of India.

How to Celebrate 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar

2010 Kumbh Mela is the world main largest religious gathering festival starting from 14 January. According to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Festival' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries.

2010 Kumbh Mela is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that takes place at the following four places of India.

In 2010 Kumbh Mela will be held at Haridwar in the foothills of the Himalayas. Date for 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. The main dates are 14 Jan, 12 and 13 Feb, 15 Mar and 14 April 2010.

Step 1:- Visit Kumbh Mela Fair during March and April, in Haridwar, where the Ganga flows out of the Himalayas. Prayag, Allahabad will crowd next Kumbh Mela in 2013 at the confluence the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati sacred rivers. In 2015, Nasik, along the Godavari river, is the festival site and in 2016, Ujjain, will welcome Kumbh Mela pilgrims.

Step 2:- After reaching Kumbh Mela in Haridwar take a bath on dates according to lunar cycles. Bathing in the sacred waters of River Ganges (Ganga), along which Kumbh Mela festivals are located, purifies karma and brings good fortune. Along with Pray with millions of pilgrims to add spiritual efforts to the consciousness of all pilgrims.

Step 3:- Have early morning bath (Prayag Snan) in the holy waters of River Ganges. Bathing daily and on specified bathing dates is the purpose of Kumbh Mela. It is said that bathing in the Ganga is like bathing in nectar. The main bathing date for 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. The most important dates are 14 Jan, 12 and 13 Feb, 15 Mar and 14 April 2010.

Step 4:- Go back to camp for meditation and prayers. And then throughout the day, perform Puja (worship of a deity), Kumbha Darshan, or practice your personal sadhana. Each evening, at sundown, gather for divine aarti (closing devotional ceremony) on the banks of the holy waters.

Step 5:- Do not fail to remember shop at the marketplaces in Haridwar. Kumbh Mela has an atmosphere of a fair with shops and attractions for pilgrims. Along with fruits, vegetables for offerings and for eating, blankets and other necessities, you can find tiger claws (not recommended) and can pay to watch.

2010 Kumbh Mela Haridwar - Kumbh Mela 2010 Dates

Kumbh Mela is one of the world largest and oldest religious gatherings held by Hindus believing that the waters of the Ganges change into nectar on this auspicious time. People from all over the world contribute here for a holy dip in the divine water of Ganga as they think it eliminates all the evil and past time sins from an individual's life.

Kumbh Mela Location

The Kumbh Mela is held on a rotational basis in 4 of the most holy Hindu places in India - the Shipra River in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of the Godavari River in Nashik (Maharastra), the Ganges River in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) and convergence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Allahabad/Prayag (Uttar Pradesh). The Kumbh Mela is held in each place once every 12 years

Experience the Kumbh Mela 2010 at Haridwar

Soon, the complete holy town of Haridwar would be reverberating with Vedic chants and temple bells. Yogis, Rishis, and Sadhus would over-pack Haridwar. Pilgrims and devotees would be demanding taking a sacred dip in the divine waters of the Ganges and observing rites and rituals. Therefore one can experience the most surreal scenes on the riverbanks of the Ganges throughout Kumbh Mela. From dawn till dusk, rituals and rites continue.

Kumbh Mela Pilgrims:

Naga Babas, a big Kumbh Mela attraction for all, keep themselves demanding meditating and practicing different yogic positions. These Naga Babas remain unclothed, with long matted hair and the body smeared in ashes. It is interesting to observe that the extremities of weather conditions do not affect them.

Shrishasins who keep themselves in the standing pose round the clock. They remain demanding meditating standing upside down.

Yogis of the Parivajakas sects who observe total silence. In way to clear the way, they do not say a word except tinkle little bells.

Kalpvasis - who remain by the river banks and devote their era to meditating, performing rituals, and bathing several times a day.

Urdhwavahurs Yogis, who believe in observing self mortification.

Sacred bathing at the Mela:

The India most important ritual of the Kumbh Mela is the ceremonial dip in the water. The Hindus think that a bath in the holy waters will cleanse them and their ancestor´s evil and past sin. This would make sure their salvation or moksha from the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Ritual bathing is done in the release on the banks of river with absolute submergence of the body under water and an oblation to the sun. The most favorable day for the ritual Kumbh bath is on the day of the new moon. Pilgrims begin lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day. After bathing, the pilgrims wear fresh clothes and continue to worship by the river bank. They then walk around listening to discourses from the various Yogis.

Kumbh Mela 2010 Dates

14 January, 2010 Makar Sankranti

15 January, 2010 Mauni Aamavasya - Suryagrahan Snan

20 January, 2010 Basant Panchami

30 January, 2010 Maagh Purnima

12 February, 2010 Shre Maha Shivratri Shahi Snan

15 March, 2010 Somawati Aamavasya Shahi Snan

16 March, 2010 Navsamvarambh Snan

24 March, 2010 Shree Ramnavami Snan

30 March, 2010 Chaitra Purnima (Parv Snan)

14 April, 2010 Mesha Sankranti Shahi Snan - Mukhya Snan Parv

28 April, 2010 Vaisakh Aadhimaas Purnima

Kumbh Mela in Haridwar Starts From 14 January 2010

Haridwar is one of India's top spiritual destinations, a holy wish ceremony is held along the banks of the Ganges River. This attractive ceremony creates a warm color as small candles are floated down the river. Coupled with the clanking of bells, chanting of mantras and enthusiastic crowd, it's extremely moving.

Kumbh Mela is a mass pilgrimage centered on the ritual of waterside bathing, it is variously called the ‘the Biggest Indian Bathing Festival’.

The 2010 Maha Kumbh Mela will be held at Haridwar in the foothills of the Himalayas. Haridwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places to the Indians. The Holy river Ganga transverses the Himalayas to enter the Plains of North India for the 1^st time at Haridwar and this are what gave the city its very old name, Gangadwara (the place where the Ganges descends to the plains). Millions of people contribute in Kumbh Mela in Haridwar

What is the Legend behind the Kumbh Mela?

Kumbh means pitcher or pot. Mela means fair or festival. Hence, the Kumbh Mela means fair of the pot. It exclusively relates to the pot of nectar in Hindu mythology.

Legend has it that the gods once misplaced their strength. In order to get back it, they agreed with the demons to churn the primordial sea of milk for amrit (the nectar of immortality). This was to be divided equally between them. However, a fight broke-out, which went on for 12 human years. Throughout this battle, the celestial bird, Garuda, flew away with the Kumbh that held the nectar. Drops of nectar are believed to have fallen in the places that the Kumbh Mela is now held -- Haridwar, Prayag (Allahabad), Nashik and Ujjain.

What Rituals are performed at the Kumbh Mela?

The major ritual performed at that Kumbh Mela is the ritual bath. Hindus think that submerging themselves in the sacred waters on the luckiest day of the new moon will absolve them and their ancestors of sin, thus ending the cycle of new start. Pilgrims begin lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day.

As the sun rises, the different groups of sadhus move in procession towards the river to bathe. The Nagas generally lead, while each group tries to exceed the others with more grandeur and fanfare. The instant is magical, and everyone is absorbed in it.

After bathing, the pilgrims wear new clothes and go on to worship by the river bank. They then march around listening to discourses from the various sadhus.

Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2010 - Kumbh Mela 2010

Haridwar Kumbh Mela is one of the main and oldest religious gatherings held by Hindus believing that the waters of the Ganges River change into nectar on this auspicious occasion. People and Tourists from all over the world gather here for a holy dip in the divine water of Ganga as they trust it eliminates all the evil and earlier period sins from an individual's life.

Kumbh Mela Location

The Kumbh Mela is held on a rotating basis in 4 of the most holy Hindu places in India…on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), Godavari River in Nashik (Maharastra), the Ganges River in Haridwar (Uttarakhand), and convergence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Allahabad and Prayag (Uttar Pradesh). The Kumbh Mela is held in each place once every 12 years

Kumbh Mela 2010 at Haridwar

Soon, the complete holy town of Haridwar would be reverberating with Vedic chants and temple bells. Rishis, Sadhus and yogis would over pack Haridwar. Pilgrims and devotees would be full of activity taking a sacred dip in the divine waters of the Ganges and observing rites and rituals. Thus one can experience the most surreal scenes on the riverbanks of the Ganges throughout Kumbh Mela. From dawn till dusk, rites and rituals carry on.

Kumbh Mela Pilgrims Tour:

Naga Babas, a big attraction for all, keep themselves full of activity meditating and practicing different yogic positions. These Naga Babas remain naked, through long matted hair and the body smeared in ashes. It is interesting to observe that the extremities of weather do not affect them.

Urdhwavahurs sadhus - who believe in observing self mortification, Sadhus of the Parivajakas sects who observe total silence. In arrange to clear the way, they do not say a word but tinkle little bells.

Shrishasins - who keep themselves in the standing pose round the clock. They remain full of activity meditating standing upside down.

Kalpvasis - Who remain by the river banks and performing rituals and bathing numerous times a day and devote their time to meditating.

Sacred bathing at the Kumbh Mela:

The most important ritual of the Kumbh Mela in India is the ceremonial dip in the water. The Hindus think that a bath in the holy waters will cleanse them and their sin and ancestor’s evil. This would make sure their salvation or moksha from the cycle of life, rebirth and death. Ritual bathing is done in the open on the banks of river with whole submergence of the body under water and an oblation to the sun. The most favorable day for the ritual bath at Kumbh is on the day of the new moon. Pilgrims begin lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day. After bathing, the pilgrims wear fresh clothes and go on to worship by the river bank. They then walk around listening to discussions from the various sadhus.

Bathing Dates throughout Kumbh Mela 2010

14 January, 2010 Makar Sankranti

15 January, 2010 Mauni Aamavasya - Suryagrahan Snan

20 January, 2010 Basant Panchami

30 January, 2010 Maagh Purnima

12 February, 2010 Shre Maha Shivratri Shahi Snan

15 March, 2010 Somawati Aamavasya Shahi Snan

16 March, 2010 Navsamvarambh Snan

24 March, 2010 Shree Ramnavami Snan

30 March, 2010 Chaitra Purnima (Parv Snan)

14 April, 2010 Mesha Sankranti Shahi Snan - Mukhya Snan Parv

28 April, 2010 Vaisakh Aadhimaas Purnima Snan

Therefore all of India's saints, mendicants, fakirs and sages come out of their caves to celebrate the Kumbh Mela. Kumbh Mela is the thus, the main religious gathering of humanity on the earth with a distinct amalgamation of religion and socio cultural significance.