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Rameswaram is surely a place both for the religiously inclined and the one who loves places with an air of mythology  and legends. Rameswaram, located in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu is a small conch shaped island and one of the four major Dhams ( Chardham) of India. Sacred to both to Vaishnavites and Shaivites, it houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingams of Shiva, and is the place where Sri Rama worshipped Shiva after returning from Lanka where he defeated and killed Ravana, the demon king who had abducted his wife, Sita. Read more on Rameshwaram

How to Reach Rameswaram

By Air: Nearest airport from Rameswaram is at Madurai (173 km)

By Rail: The temple town of Madurai is well connected to all the major states of the country. The town is directly connected by rail to Madras, Madurai, Trichy, Tanjavur and Coimbatore. Trains like the Sethu Express, Tirupati-Madurai Express and Tirunelveli Express connect it with other parts of South India while two trains ply daily between the temple towns of Rameswaram to Madurai.

By Road: Being an important pilgrimage town Rameswaram is well connected to all the main towns. The Pamban Bridge connects Rameswaram to the mainland. Rameshwaram is 527 km from Chennai, 173 km from Madurai, 315 km from Kanyakumari and 273 km from Tiruchirapalli.

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So auspicious is Dwarka that Lord Krishna is believed to have moved here for the well-being of all the Yadavas, leaving Magadha far behind after he killed his uncle, the tyrant Kamsa. Dwarka's importance as one of the Char Dhams of India is further heightened by the fact that it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas or columns of light representing Lord Shiva, which manifested in different parts of India. One of these is located in Dwarka and is known as the Nageshwar Mahadev.

Dwarka is sanctified as the place where Lord Vishnu killed the demon Shankhasura. The Jagat Mandir or Nij Mandir forms the sanctum of the Dwarkadish Temple that dates back to more than 2,500 years. The main temple at Dwarka is about five stories high and 60 columns support the roof of the hall. Important places of interest in Dwarka include Dwarkadheesh Temple, Rukshmanee Temple, Gomti Ghat, Beyt Dwarka and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. Read more on Dwarka

How to reach Dwarka

By Air: Porbandar (75 km) and Jamnagar (144 km) are two nearby airports, which are connected by flights to Mumbai.

By Rail:  Dwarka is well connected by rail from different parts of the country. The nearest railhead is Okha. Jamnagar, Rajkot and Porbandar are other railway stations from where one can reach Dwarka.

Located on the East coast of India, Puri is associated with the 12th century Jagannath temple around which the entire religious life of the town revolves. One of the original Char Dhams, Puri is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites of the country. The Brahma Purana regards it as the highest of all the dhams. Also known as Swargdwar or the Gateway to Heaven, Puri also holds a special significance for the Buddhist. It is believed that a tooth of the Sakhyamuni (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) was hidden here before it was moved to Kandy (Sri Lanka) and it was for this reason that Puri was also known as Dantapuri.

How to reach Puri

By Air: The nearest airport is at Bhubneshwar which is 60 km from Puri.

By Rail: Puri has its own railway station and is well connected to all the major cities of the country,

By Road: Puri is 60 km from Bhubneshwar and 100km via Konark through the Marine Drive. There are also regular buses, taxis and tempos(auto rickshaws) to Puri. Read more on Puri.

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Badrinath is not only one of the Char Dhams or the four holy shrines in Uttarakhand but the shrine is also one of the main Char Dhams of India. The holy temple at Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Badrinath Temple is situated on the bank of the Alaknanda in the middle of two mountain ranges called Nar and Narayan. The place was known as Badrivan in Puranic times because it was found carpeted by wild Berries or 'Badri' and thus came to be known as Badrivan.

Badrinath is situated at a height of 3,133 m above sea level. The temple is built in a conical shape, 15 m. tall and has small cupola of a gilt bull and spire. The principal idol in the temple represents Vishnu in a meditative posture and is flanked by Nara-Narayan. Read more on Badrinath

How to reach Badrinath

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun, 317 km from Badrinath is the nearest airport.

By Rail: Rishikesh Railway Station at 300 km away from Badrinath is nearest railhead. Haridwar and Kotdwar are other near by railway stations.

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