Char Dham Yatra: Why Is Rishikesh Always The First Stop?
Starting the Char Dham Yatra from Rishikesh is more than tradition; it symbolises purity, is historically linked to saints, and serves as the perfect gateway to the sacred journey
The Char Dham Yatra in India is considered one of the most sacred and spiritually transformative pilgrimages. It includes four holy shrines nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
Undertaking this journey is believed to wash away sins and lead one closer to moksha (liberation). But have you ever wondered why this sacred journey always begins from Rishikesh? What is it about this city that makes it the first stop of the spiritual path? The answer lies in three key perspectives — religious, historical, and geographical.
Rishikesh is not just a city, but a symbol of spiritual purification and the beginning of the path of devotion.
In a conversation with Local18, Mahant Rameshwar Giri of Someshwar Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, explained that Rishikesh is regarded as the 'abode of sages'. Starting the Char Dham Yatra from Rishikesh is not merely a tradition, but a thoughtful and meaningful practice. Religiously, it symbolises purity; historically, it is the land of saints; and geographically, it serves as the perfect gateway to the Char Dham Yatra.
How Rishikesh Got Its Name
It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared before a devotee here, and since then, the place came to be known as 'Rishikesh'. This region has been a site of penance for sages, saints, and yogis since time immemorial.
The land is considered sacred because the river Ganga, after descending from the Himalayas, enters the plains here for the first time. At this point, its flow is exceptionally clean and serene. There is a widespread belief that bathing in the Ganga at Rishikesh washes away one's sins and purifies the soul for the spiritual journey. Hence, beginning the Char Dham Yatra from here is considered auspicious.
Rishikesh has a spiritual history that spans thousands of years. It has long been a place for ascetics and sages to practise sadhana. Pilgrimage sites like Lakshman Jhula, Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir, and Parmarth Niketan continue to keep these traditions alive. Adi Shankaracharya also began his journeys from this region. His teachings and the spread of Sanatan Dharma helped establish Rishikesh as a major religious centre. Over time, it evolved into a well-organised pilgrimage hub, institutionalising the start of the Char Dham Yatra.
A Convenient Entry and Transit Hub
Geographically, Rishikesh is the ideal starting point. It lies at the intersection of the plains and the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand. From here, the mountain routes to the four Dhams begin.
It is well connected by trains and buses and linked to major railway stations and airports such as Haridwar and Dehradun. This makes it accessible to pilgrims from across the country. Moreover, Rishikesh offers a range of facilities, from hotels and dharamshalas to guides and travel agencies, all of which make the spiritual journey more comfortable and organised.
First Published:
May 09, 2025, 14:44 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Kedarnath Yatra remains suspended after landslide; 4,100 rescued, debris 50% cleared
Mussoorie: Over 4,100 pilgrims have been rescued so far — including 500 evacuated on Friday — after the Char Dham Yatra to Kedarnath Dham was suspended due to a massive landslide at Munkatia between Sonprayag and Gaurikund in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district on Wednesday. Kedarnath Dham was suspended due to a massive landslide at Munkatia between Sonprayag and Gaurikund in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district on Wednesday. (Sourced/HT) 'All 500 stranded pilgrims en route to Gaurikund from the Kedarnath temple have been rescued and sent to their destinations. A thorough survey by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) confirms that no pilgrims remain stranded along the Kedarnath Yatra route up to the shrine,' sub-inspector of SDRF Ashish Dimri, who headed the rescue team, said. Heavy overnight rain had washed away a 50-metre stretch of the road, cutting off the main route for vehicles and pedestrians on Wednesday. 'Over 50% of the debris removal work on the affected stretch has been completed, and the route is likely to reopen for pilgrims by Saturday evening,' Dimri said, adding that pilgrims are being stopped at Sonprayag until the route is deemed safe for travel. A total of 84 roads remain closed across Uttarakhand. Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh are the worst-affected districts, with 20 and 17 road closures, respectively, according to official data. Also read: Char Dham Yatra to Kedarnath suspended after landslide in Rudraprayag district Uttarkashi's Yamunotri National Highway was blocked near Mehargaon after boulders fell on the road. District disaster management officials said that the debris is being cleared from the highway with JCB machines and will soon be reopened. Meanwhile, a buffalo died after a cowshed in Khetpali village of Tehri district was damaged by mud debris triggered by overnight rains. Parts of Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Tehri, and Pauri districts experienced light to heavy rainfall till Friday afternoon. The state recorded an average of 17 mm rainfall over the 24-hour period till Friday morning, with several districts reporting surplus rain — Pithoragarh recorded 40.4 mm (90% above normal), Udham Singh Nagar 30.6 mm (144% surplus), Bageshwar 105% above average, and Chamoli 80% above normal.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
4 lakh pilgrims have visited Amarnath cave shrine: J&K Lt Governor
The number of pilgrims to have paid obeisance at the ice lingam of Lord Shiva at the 3,880-metre high Amarnath cave shrine since the 38-day pilgrimage began from the Kashmir Valley on July 3 crossed the four lakh mark on Thursday. A soldier standing guard in Pahalgam in Anantnag district as pilgrims head for the Amarnath cave shrine as part of the annual pilgrimage. (PTI Photo) 'Baba Amarnath makes the impossible possible. With his blessings, the holy yatra today crossed the 4 lakh figure. I bow to Lord Shiva for this miracle and express my gratitude to everyone involved in making the holy pilgrimage a divine experience for devotees,' Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said in a series of posts on X. Sinha said the high number of pilgrims was testament to India's unity and its resolve to overcome all challenges. 'The record number of darshans and arrival of devotees from across the country and the globe is a testament to India's unity and its resolve to overcome the challenges. I am truly thankful to the devotees, who have shown immense faith and strengthened our priceless spiritual heritage,' he said. 'This godly expedition is incomparable not because it's arduous and challenging but because it's an inimitable journey into pure bliss. It's a spiritual experience and gives an opportunity to devotees to know themselves and offers deep trust and fills their hearts with infinite gratitude,' he added. Last year, more than 5.1 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine. The pilgrimage is scheduled to end on August 9, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
Special trains to run between Shirdi and Tirupati
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Mumbai, Jul 30 (PTI) Weekly special trains will be run for the next two months to connect Shirdi in Maharashtra with Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, the Central Railway said on Wednesday. For the time being, a total of 18 trips will be operated in both the directions, it said in a release. 'The special trains will connect two important places of religious importance offering a unique opportunity to have a darshan of Shri Sai Baba and Lord Venkateshwara," the release stated. The Sainagar Shirdi-Tirupati Weekly Special train will depart from Sainagar Shirdi every Monday at 7.35 pm from August 4 to September 9, 2025. It will reach Tirupati at 1.30 am on the third day. From Tirupati, the train will depart on every Sunday at 4 am from August 3 to September 28, 2025, and arrive at Sainagar Shirdi at 10.45 am next day. The special trains will halt at Kopargaon, Manmad, Nagarsol, Aurangabad, Jalna, Selu, Parbhani, Gangakher, Parli Vaijnath, Latur Road, Udgir, Bhalki, Bidar, Zahirabad, Vikarabad, Lingampalli, Secunderabad, Nalgonda, Miryalaguda, Nadikude, Piduguralla, Sattenapalle, Tenali, Chirala, Ongole, Gudur and Renigunta stations. They will have two AC-2 tier, four AC-3 tier, six sleeper class, four general second class, one second sitting cum guard's brake van and one generator van. Bookings for the special trains will start on August 1. PTI KK KRK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 22:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
