Char Dham
Four sacred pilgrimage sites at the four corners of India, established by Adi Shankaracharya
| # | Temple | Location | State | Deity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Badrinath Temple | Badrinath | Uttarakhand | Vishnu |
| 2 | Jagannath Temple, Puri | Puri | Odisha | Krishna |
| 3 | Dwarkadhish Temple | Dwarka | Gujarat | Krishna |
| 3 | Ramanathaswamy Temple | Rameswaram | Tamil Nadu | Shiva |
About Each Temple
Badrinath Temple
Badrinath represents the eternal presence of Vishnu in meditation for the welfare of all beings. It is the foremost of the Char Dhams and one of the holiest sites in Vaishnavism.
Jagannath Temple, Puri
Jagannath Puri represents the eastern dham and symbolizes the divine in an incomplete yet wholly worshipped form. The fact that the deities are worshipped in their unfinished state teaches that divine grace transcends material perfection. The Mahaprasad of Jagannath breaks all caste barriers — a powerful symbol of spiritual equality.
Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarka represents the western dham and symbolizes Krishna as divine ruler and protector of his people. The submerged city of Dwarka is one of the most compelling intersections of mythology and archaeology in Hinduism.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Ramanathaswamy is unique among jyotirlingas because it was installed by Lord Vishnu's avatar Rama himself, making it a bridge between Shaivism and Vaishnavism. It demonstrates that even Vishnu worships Shiva, and that Shiva worship is the remedy for even the most grievous sins. The temple is considered the southern Char Dham and is believed to absolve all sins. Bathing in the 22 theerthams (sacred wells) within the temple is considered equivalent to bathing in all the sacred rivers of India.