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Chardham Yatra
Millions of Hindu devotees and spiritual seekers visit the char dham of Uttarakhand, also known as the chota char dham, in order to soak up the spiritual side of the nation.
When it comes to the history of the Char Dham of Uttarakhand, which encompasses Badrinath, Kedarath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, the prominence and spiritualism of these four holy sites has made them a sacred place, and thousands of devotees from around the world now visit them every year.
People are believed to need to experience the chardham yatra at least once in their lives according to Hindu mythology. All these places are blessed with extreme power of God and natural beauty, which gives one a great sense of peace of mind.
Duration
10 Days
Trek Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Suitable For
18 to 50 Years
Region
Uttarakhand
Trek KM
16 km approx
Group Size
20-25 Peoples
Overview - Chardham Yatra
It is possible to make the Chardham Yatra Uttarakhand on foot or by horseback, but most pilgrims choose to take a tour company to provide them with transportation and basic accommodations.
During the Chardham Yatra, pilgrims travel to the three temples located at higher altitudes following the Yamunotri Temple in Uttarkashi. Last but not least, it reaches Badrinath Temple, which is the youngest among all the Char Dhams. It covers about 2500 kilometers in total.
A pilgrimage to four sacred sites located in the Garhwal Himalayas is known as the Chardham Yatra. Among the four places are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Taking place in Haridwar, this pilgrimage starts from there. A Hindu pilgrimage to Chardham Yatra Place is one of the holiest experiences one can have at any point in time. The confluence of two holy rivers – Ganga and Yamuna – is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations along the Alaknanda River.
As one of India’s holiest pilgrimages, the Chardham Yatra is considered a sacred event. These four pilgrimage sites are believed to cleanse you of all your sins and ensure salvation. As part of the Chardham Yatra, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Badrinath are also included along with Gobind Dham.
Chardham Yatra Itinerary
Quick Itinerary
- Day 1st : Arrival haridwar to barkot via mussoorie
- Day 2nd : Drive barkot to yamunotri dham
- Day 3rd : Barkot to uttarkashi temple visit
- Day 4rd : Uttarkashi - gangotri dham- uttarkashi
- Day 5th : Uttarkashi to guptkashi
- Day 6th : Guptkashi to kedarnath dham
- Day 7th : Kedarnath - Guptkashi Trek Downwards
- Day 8th : Guptkashi - Badrinath (215km/7hrs)
- Day 9th : Badrinath Temple Visit and Drive to Rudraprayag
- Day 10th : Rudraprayag Rishikesh- Haridwar (160km/5hrs)
Detailed Itinerary
Start your Chardham yatra from Haridwar. We will provide you with a road trip guide from Haridwar Railway Station to Barkot via Mussoorie after you arrive. For a refreshing dip, guests can visit Kempty Falls. The journey then resumes and you’ll be taken to the hotel after reaching Barkot a few hours later. With the weather remaining pleasant, you may want to spend time outside. The hotel will be your home for the night.
Leaving early in the morning, drive to Phoolchatti/Jankichatti from where the trek covering 6 km begins. In addition to walking, horses and dolis are also available for covering the same stretch. A tranquil emerald valley, punctuated with conifers, cacti, and rhododendrons, welcomes pilgrims before they visit the temple. In the kund, they dip white cloth into water that cooks rice. Rice cooked at home is taken as Prasad home. Furthermore, pilgrims pray at Divya Shilla and take a bath in Jamnabai Kund. Don’t forget to pray to Yamunaji for blessings. In the following days, he returned to Jankichatti, followed by Barkot. Barkot is the destination for an overnight stay.
The following day, you will continue your journey to Uttarkashi. As soon as you arrive, take a walk to Shakti Temple and Vishwanath Temple to pay homage. After that, you can relax at the hotel. Uttarkashi is a good place to spend the night.
Drive down to Gangotri on day 4. In Gangnani, you can take a holy dip in the Garam Kund. As the next pilgrimage destination on the Chota Char Dham route, proceed to the temple. Furthermore, the town’s main attraction is its sacred temple, but nearby there are other places to visit, such as Kedar Ganga Sangam and Submerged Shivling. After spending a night in Uttarkashi, proceed to the next morning.
Once the sun rises, you will drive through Moolgarh and Lambgaon to Guptkashi. A scenic view of the Mandakini River can be captured at Tilwara along the way. You will be able to relax at the hotel as soon as you arrive. Visit the Ardhnarishwar Temple later in the evening. The hotel will be your home for the night.
In the morning of day 6, you will be taken to Sonprayag for your medical check-up. It takes 19 km to trek from Sonprayag to Kedarnath on a pony or palki. Kedarnath recommends that guests bring medicines, toiletries, warm clothes, and woolens for overnight stays. Kedarnath Temple is a place for paying respects. Kedarnath is where you will spend the night.
Make sure you wake up early the next morning since you will be doing the Abhishek pooja at Kedarnath Temple after that. Garbha Griha is open to all pilgrims, who can bow in front of the idol and pay obeisance. Afterwards, trek to Sonprayag after the darshan. A guide will guide you to Guptkashi from there. Guptkashi is the destination for an overnight stay.
Day 8 of the Chota Char Dham Yatra takes you to Badrinath, the last Dham. Located between the Nar and Narayan mountains, the popular shrine is elevated at 3,133 m. On its banks, the Alaknanda River has hot water springs called Tapt Kund where pilgrims take baths before entering the temple. The temple is surrounded by other sacred sites, including Sheshnetra Ashram and Brahma Kapal. Visit the Mata Murti Temple to receive blessings from Sri Badrinath’s mother. Another popular place to visit is Bhim Pul, while Vasundhara Waterfall and Vyas Gufa are also nearby. Staying at the hotel for an overnight stay
Get up early and take a bath at Tapt Kund. You will then have the opportunity to attend the Darshan of Badrinath Dham. In addition to being known as Badri Vishal, this shrine is another manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Return to Rudraprayag/Kirtinagar by Joshimath after some time spent at the temple. As soon as you arrive in Rudraprayag/Kittinagar, complete the check-in process.
You will head out to Rishikesh today, the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas. In this place, where the Ganges flows, Hindus consider it to be one of their holiest places. Located within the city, you can visit the ancient temples and attractions, including the Laxman Jhulla, the Triveni Ghat, the Ram Jhulla, and the Sivananda Ashram. Your journey continues after the yatra as you transfer to the Haridwar Railway Station.
What Should I Pack for the Chardham Yatra
- A visit to the Shiv Jyotirlinga Temple at Kedarnath is a must.
- A Char Dham pilgrimage site, Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- Aarti: Attend the evening aarti at both temples.
- The practice of puja at temples involves personal prayers and rituals.
- Along the way, you can swim in the holy waters of the Alaknanda River and other sacred hot springs.
- Explore the scenic terrain between Gaurikund and Kedarnath (approximately 14 kilometers).
- If you want a quicker journey to Kedarnath, consider taking a helicopter ride.
- Discover scenic spots like Devprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandprayag, where rivers meet.
- Enjoy the lush greenery of the Himalayan landscape during nature walks.
- Discover Local Towns: Visit culturally and historically rich towns such as Rudraprayag, Guptkashi, and Joshimath.
- Experience local culture: Learn about the customs and lifestyles of the locals.
Documents Required for the Chardham Yatra
- Photo ID Proof (Aadhar Card/Passport and Visa for Foreign Nationals)
- Medical Fitness Certificate
Included / Exclude Chardham Yatra
- A good and comfortable hotel room or cozy cottage for 9 nights.
- The tour includes all-day breakfast and dinner at the hotel.
- Whether you travel by tempo traveler or bus, you will have a wonderful time.
- A tour guide will accompany you throughout the tour.
- Fees and permits associated with trekking
- An oxygen cylinder and medical kit are essential in case of an emergency
- Laundry, telephone calls, tips and gratuities, mineral water, soft drinks and porterage are among the personal expenses.
- Anything not included in the inclusions
- Aside from sightseeing, the vehicle may be used for additional purposes
- Entrance Fees & Guide charges.
- Any additional costs incurred due to unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters, roadblocks, etc.
- Any increase in Airlines taxes or fuel price at the time of departure, leading to an increase in cost on surface transportation & land arrangements, which may come into existence prior to departure
- Extra parking / toll charges other than scheduled itinerary Any
- The type of insurance available
Things you can do on the Chardham Yatra
- Temple visits are the most important highlights of this trip - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Temples all have unique histories, architectures, and spiritual significances.
- Adventure trekking is best done on the routes leading to Yamunotri and Kedarnath. Himalayan views can be seen from the trails and they are scenic.
- Experiencing Local Culture: Get to know the locals and experience their culture and traditions. During the yatra, you'll also be able to experience local festivals and rituals that contribute to its spiritual atmosphere.
- Explore yatra sites on a nature walk or a short hike. Nature's lush green valleys, towering peaks, and serene rivers provide a perfect backdrop for peace.
- It is a photographer's paradise along the Char Dham Yatra route. Get a sense of the vibrant local life, stunning landscapes, and beautiful temples with breathtaking images.
- Taking a dip in Yamunotri's and Badrinath's hot springs is a great way to relax. There is a belief that these hot springs are therapeutic.
- Watch wildlife in the area: This region is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Snow leopards, monal pheasants, musk deer, and even the elusive snow leopard can be spotted in the Himalayas.
How to Reach Chardham Yatra?
By Air
In Dehradun, the nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport. The starting points of the yatra can be reached by taxi or bus.
By Train
Trains connect Haridwar and Rishikesh with major cities in India via rail. Taking a taxi or bus to the yatra sites is possible from these stations.
By Road
The nearest cities are Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun, which are accessible by car or bus. Beautiful Himalayan views can be seen from the scenic roads.
Best Time / Season To Chardham Yatra
Summer (April to June) is the best time to start the yatra. Temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C during the day, making trekking and travel comfortable. There are clear skies and open paths.
The weather is favorable for the yatra after the monsoon season (September to November). There is a cool breeze and a beautiful view. It is less crowded during this period than it is during the summer.
Due to heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, it is generally not recommended to travel during this period. Landslides and roadblocks can make travel dangerous during this period.
Snowstorms during winter close the yatra sites, making the routes inaccessible
FAQ's Chardham Yatra
It includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, all sacred sites in Uttarakhand, India.
In April to June and September to November, the weather is good and the routes are accessible.
In addition to air travel (Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun), rail transportation (Haridwar or Rishikesh Railway Stations), and road transportation (buses or taxis), Char Dham sites can be reached by helicopter.
In peak seasons, booking accommodations in advance is advisable to ensure you have a place to stay.
It’s not necessary to obtain a special permit to participate in the Char Dham Yatra, but checking for changes in regulations is always a wise move.
In addition to warm clothing, sturdy walking shoes, rain gear, a backpack, water bottles, snacks, and a first-aid kit, you will need to bring medications as well.
It is true that there are a number of eateries and dhabas along the pilgrim route that offer vegetarian fare.
It is recommended that you are physically fit for the yatra because it involves trekking and long drives. It is possible to undertake the trip at any age if you prepare properly.
There is no problem undertaking the yatra with children or elderly family members, as long as precautions are taken and their comfort and safety is ensured.
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