Badrinath is consideration an Adisiddhapeeth- a place renowned for its mystico-magical power and hence considered conducive to the practice of spiritual-meditational exercises, tantric ritual or penance. There are interesting tales attached to its name. Badri is the Sanskrit word for a common berry, ber, usually offered to Shiva. The faithful believe that a gigantic badri tree is situated here which is not visible to mortals in the age of Kali.

Considered one of the Char Dham or four principal places of Hindu worship, Badrinath is perched comfortably at an altitude of 3,122m on the slopes of a U-Shaped valley, protected from avalanches by a rocky projection above. Nilkanth stands by like a sentinel, and below the temple flows the crystals-clear torrent of the Vishnu Ganga. A short distance and a hard climb away from the main shrine are the Vyas and Ganes gufas (cave). The Mahabharata, according to tradition, was composed and dictated there

Gangotri Gangotri or Gangavatari marks the descent of the celestial to earth. Gangotri is situated behind Kedarnath on the south bank of the river, amidst a thick stand of deodars at an altitudes of 3,100m.A little distance away the Kedar Gnaga joins the Bhagirathi at Gaurkikund. This pool is consecrated as the site of the goddess Gauri's ritusnan (ritual bath celebrating the attainment of ouberty).

The 18th century's temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga is located near a sacred stone where King Bhagirath worshipped Lord Shiva. Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this spot. According to another legend, Pandavas performed the great 'Deva Yagna' here to atone the deaths of their kinsmen in the epic battle of Mahabharata. The temple is an exquisite 20 ft. High structure made of white granite.

Yamunotri Yamunotri at an elevation of 3235 meteres above sea-level, the shrine of Yamunotri is one of the 'Four Dhams' of Uttarakhand.

According to Hindu mythology, Yamunotri is the origin of the sacred river Yamuna. Famous for its thermal springs and glaciers, it is one of the most important stopovers on the itinerary of the Hindu pilgrim.

Yamunotri can be reached from Dehra Dun via Yamuna Bridge & Barkot or from Rishikesh. The latter is the most popular. It is 83 km to Tehri direct or 165 km via Deoprayag. From Tehri drive to Dharasu (37 km). Here the road divides. To the left leads to Barkot & Hanuman Chatti, to the right to Uttarkashi (26 km), Lanka (87 km) & Gangotri (13 km). It is 102 km from Dharasu to Yamunotri.