Char Dham refers to four sacred destinations that hold immense spiritual significance. Originally, Char Dham Yatra included four revered sites located in different directions of India—Badrinath in the north, Puri in the east, Rameshwaram in the south, and Dwarka in the west. These sites were established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD as part of a sacred pilgrimage route.

In the Indian Himalayas, a smaller yet highly significant pilgrimage circuit is known as Chota Char Dham. “Chota” means small in Hindi, and this revered journey includes four holy places—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Often referred to as the Char Dham of Uttarakhand, this pilgrimage is an important spiritual journey that attracts thousands of devotees every year

The four sacred sites of the Garhwal Himalayas are mentioned in various ancient texts such as the Vedas and Puranas, holding immense spiritual significance.

The temples of Chota Char Dham are located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Yamunotri and Gangotri are in the Uttarkashi district, Kedarnath is in the Rudraprayag district, and Badrinath is in the Chamoli district. Uttarakhand is often referred to as Dev Bhumi (Land of Gods) due to the presence of numerous sacred rivers, confluences, shrines, caves, and the deep faith of devotees who embark on this revered journey