Pilgrimage Tour to Himalayas
India is birth place of many religions and thus boasts of a number of religious destinations, pilgrimage centers and shrines. Hindu religion is believed as the oldest religion of the world and maximum population of India follow Hinduism. There are a number of Hindu temples and shrines in Himalayan states in India. A large number of devotees go for pilgrimage tours every year to various holy places in Himalayas.
Amarnath Yatra
Holy cave of Amarnath is situated at a height of around 14,500 meters above sea level in Lidder Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the pilgrimage to this holy shrine is organised by Jammu and Kashmir Government in the month of July-August, where about more than two lakhs devotees undertake this pilgrimage journey to the holy cave.
According to a legend, Lord Shiva gave the secrets of creation to Parvati in this holy cave of Amarnath. It is famous for its Shivlinga which is formed of ice naturally. To undertake this pilgrimage journey, one has make registration with J&K Government. The pilgrimage starts from Pahalgam, which is located at a distance of around 96 km from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. Total distance of 30 km trek is covered in two days with halts at Sheshnagh and Panchtarni.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is undertaken to Mount Kailash located in Tibet, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is considered one of the holiest pilgrimage destination of Hindus on this planet. The pilgrimage tour is organised by Ministry of Home in India and Chinese authorities. Mount Kailash is covered with snow for most of the period in a year, which is located at an altitude of 6,690 meters above sea level.
The yatra is organised from May till September every year. It takes around 17 days to complete the tour which starts from Kathmandu in Nepal. A large number of pilgrims register every year to undertake this pilgrimage.
Manimahaesh Yatra
Manimahesh Yatra is also dedicated to Lord Shiva, which starts from Lakshminarayan Temple in Chamba and ends at Manimahesh Lake in Bundhi in Himachal Pradesh. It generally starts every year after a gap of fifteen days from Krishan Janamashtami. Pilgrims cover the route bare foot and take holy dip in the chilling water of holy Manimahesh Lake. Thousands of tourists visit Manimahesh every year.
Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham are the four holy places situated in the state of Uttarakhand in the lap of Himalayas. The Char Dham Yatra covers Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. These places are of great importance for Hindus. All these places remain unaccessible during winters in the months of December to March because of heavy snowfall.
Badrinath temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and situated at an altitude of 6,597 meters in Nar-Narayan Parvat. Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated at a height of 3,584 meters above the head of Mandakini river. Gangotri is the source of river Ganga and is located at an altitude of 3,042 meters in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Yamunotri is the fourth holy place of Char Dham Yatra and is the source of river Yamuna. It is located at a height of 3,235 meters in Uttarkashi district.
Know more about the pilgrimage destinations in Himalayas : http://www.pilgrimage-
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