Char Dham
are the names of four pilgrimage sites in India that are widely revered by Hindus. It
comprises Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram.
It is considered highly sacred by Hindus to visit Char Dham during one's
lifetime. The Char Dham were defined by Adi Shankaracharya for pilgrimages by Hindus.
According
to Hindu mythology, Badrinath became prominent when Nar-Narayan, an incarnation
of Vishnu did Tapasya there. At that time that place was
filled with Plum trees. In Sanskrit language they are called Badri, so the
place was named Badrika-Van i.e. the forest of Plums. The particular spot where
the Nar-Narayan resided was therefore called Badri-Nath i.e. the Lord of Plum
forest. This all happened in the Sat-Yuga. So the Badrinath came to be known
the first Dham.
The second place, the Rameshwram got its importance in
the Treta-Yug when Lord Rama built a Shiv-ling here and worshipped it to get
the blessings of Lord Shiva. The name Rameshwram means "the God of Lord
Rama". Rama himself is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The third Dhaam Dwarka got its importance in Dwapar Yug
when Lord Krishna another incarnation of Lord Vishnu, made Dwarka his residence
instead of Mathura, his birthplace.
The Four Shankaracharya Peeth(Seats) at the Char Dham
school of Hinduism, created at least four Hindu institutions. He organised the
Hindu monks under four Maṭhas (monasteries), with the headquarters
at Dvārakā in the West, Jagannatha Puri in the East, Sringeri Sharada Peetham in the South and Badrikashrama in the North
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