Who Established Char Dham?

The Char Dham pilgrimage holds a central place in Hindu spiritual traditions, attracting millions of devotees seeking blessings and spiritual liberation. However, the term “Char Dham” itself refers to two distinct pilgrimage circuits, each with a different origin and establishment.

Let’s explore who established these revered Char Dhams.

Who Established Char Dham?

The credit for establishing the concept of the All-India Char Dham goes to the great 8th-century Indian philosopher and theologian, Adi Shankaracharya (Adi Shankara). He is a pivotal figure in the history of Hinduism, known for consolidating the Advaita Vedanta philosophy.

Adi Shankaracharya and the All-India Char Dham

Adi Shankaracharya lived from approximately 788 to 820 CE (though some traditional dates place him earlier). He embarked on extensive travels across the Indian subcontinent, engaging in philosophical debates and revitalizing Hindu traditions. To spiritually unify India and promote a deeper understanding of Sanatana Dharma, he established four monastic centers (Mathas) in the four cardinal directions of the country, strategically linked to the four holy sites that form the original Char Dham circuit.

• Purpose of Establishment: Adi Shankaracharya’s primary goal was to revive and organize Hinduism, which was facing challenges from various philosophical schools. By establishing these four Dhams at the extreme points of India, he aimed to:
  • Geographically Integrate: Symbolically connect the diverse regions of India, fostering a sense of national unity through pilgrimage.
  • Promote Sanatana Dharma: Establish strong centers for the propagation of Vedic knowledge and Advaita Vedanta.
  • Provide Spiritual Guidance: Offer accessible pilgrimage sites for devotees across the vast subcontinent.
  • Reconcile Sects: Bring together different Hindu sects (Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, etc.) by emphasizing the oneness of Brahman.

The Four Dhams Established by Adi Shankaracharya:

1. Badrinath (North): Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Adi Shankaracharya is credited with recovering the idol of Lord Badrinarayan from the Alaknanda River and reinstating it in the temple. He also established the priestly tradition here, where the chief priest (Rawal) comes from the Namboodiri Brahmin community of Kerala (his own home state).
   • Where is Char Dham located: Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
2. Rameswaram (South): Dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
   • Where is Char Dham located: Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu.
3. Dwarka (West): Dedicated to Lord Krishna.
   • Where is Char Dham located: Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat.
4. Puri (East): Dedicated to Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Krishna).
   • Where is Char Dham located: Puri district, Odisha.

The Chota Char Dham (Himalayan Char Dham)

The Chota Char Dham, comprising Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, is a more recent development as a combined pilgrimage circuit. While the individual temples have ancient origins, their popularization as a single, accessible circuit largely occurred in the 20th century, driven partly by improved infrastructure and the rise of religious tourism.

• Individual Temple Origins:
  • Yamunotri Temple: The current temple is believed to have been built by King Naresh Sudarshan Shah of Tehri in 1839 and rebuilt by Maharani Guleria of Jaipur in the 19th century after earthquake damage.
  • Gangotri Temple: The original temple is said to have been constructed by a Gurkha General, Amar Singh Thapa, in the early 19th century.
  • Kedarnath Temple: While ancient legends associate its origin with the Pandavas, the present stone structure is widely attributed to Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, who is believed to have rebuilt it after discovering the Jyotirlinga. He is also believed to have attained Mahasamadhi (final liberation) near Kedarnath.
  • Badrinath Temple: As mentioned, Adi Shankaracharya is credited with re-establishing the Badrinath temple and its rituals.
• Development of the Circuit: The idea of combining these four Himalayan shrines into a “Chota Char Dham” for a single, continuous pilgrimage gained significant momentum in the latter half of the 20th century. Before that, pilgrimages to these individual sites were arduous and often undertaken separately. Road construction and better accessibility made it feasible for a wider range of devotees to undertake this combined journey. While not established as a circuit by a single historical figure like Adi Shankaracharya, its evolution is a testament to the enduring spiritual magnetism of these Himalayan abodes.

Conclusion

In essence, when discussing who established Char Dham, it’s important to differentiate:

• The All-India Char Dham circuit, spanning the four cardinal points of India (Badrinath, Rameswaram, Dwarka, Puri), was explicitly established and organized by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE.
• The Chota Char Dham circuit in Uttarakhand (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath) evolved into a popular combined pilgrimage over time, with the individual temples having ancient roots and later being rebuilt or re-established by various rulers, saints, and ultimately, by Adi Shankaracharya in the case of Badrinath and Kedarnath