Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand

                                                                   Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand

A journey of four holy rivers of India, namely Ganga, Yamuna, Mandakini, and Alaknanda, is an experience you don’t want to miss. It is a trip, taking you to the four prominent holy destinations and is an unforgettable experience for all the devotees. Chota Char Dham is a spiritual tour of four pilgrimage sites in India, namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath all present in Uttarakhand. Hindus believe that everybody must visit these places during their lifetime.

Best Time to Visit

Each year Chardham Yatra begins in April / May and ends in October / November. The best time to go for Char Dham Yatra is from late April to early June, just before the beginning of monsoon season on the hills.

Opening Dates

• Yamunotri: 22 April 2023
• Gangotri: 22 April 2023
• Kedarnath: 25 April 2023
• Badrinath: 27 April 2023

Closing Dates

• Yamunotri: 29 October 2023
• Gangotri: 27 October 2023
• Kedarnath: 29 October 2023
• Badrinath: 9 November 2023

How to Reach Char Dham Destinations

The famous Gateway to Char Dham is Haridwar. A city of Temple, ashrams, and tranquillity From any city in India, you can arrive at Haridwar with all transport modes.

1. Yamunotri Dham

It will probably begin from Barkot. You will drive up to the Yamunotri Dham which will be followed by a 7 km trek. Or you could also visit Uttarkashi, which is just about 100 km from the Gangotri Dham.

Yamuna, the second most sacred river in India, originates from Yamunotri. The Yamunotri temple is believed to be constructed by the king of Tehri, Naresh Sudarshan Shah in 1839. It is one of the pilgrimage sites you will see on this tour. The temple itself is a work of art, and the devotees make it more serene and beautiful. The Yamuna River looks breathtaking while flowing down from one side of the temple. Best Hotel in Yamunotri 

2. Gangotri Dham

Located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, this is one of the four sites which make up the Chota Char Dham. The shrine is very special to the Hindus because of its incomparable beauty. Another key factor is that legends believe that this place is the origin of the river Ganga after it descended from heaven. The present shrine was built by Gorkha Commander, Amar Singh Thapa in the early 18th century. The river has always been considered the purest. People visit this place to attain Moksha.  Best Hotel in Gangotri

3. Kedarnath Dham

From here, you can drive to Kedarnath, which is about 180 km from Uttarkashi, which will be followed by a 21 km trek uphill.

In this ancient temple, we find inscriptions written in Pali. The present temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya Ji. On the inner walls of the temple, there are sculptures of various deities and scenes from mythology. On the outside of the temple, there is a large statue of the Nandi Bull. The temple is set amidst the mountains of the Garhwal Himalayas. The Kedarnath shrine is surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful snow-covered mountains. You will definitely feel at peace after visiting this place.  Best Hotel in Kedarnath

4. Badrinath Dham

Then on to Rudraprayag which is just 160 km away from Badrinath Dham, the final Dham in your Yatra.

Situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, this religious site is set in the backdrop of the Neelkanth mountain peak, which leaves one breathless. Believed to be the home of Lord Shiva, this place holds a lot of myths and legends. People from around the world visit this place, to listen to the tales of the gurus and the sadhus. This place is especially busy during the festival of Mahashivratr.  

Best hotel in Badrinath

Chardham Yatra Route from Delhi via Haridwar by Bus / Car

• Delhi → Haridwar – 210 km (6 hours)
• Haridwar → Barkot – 220 km (7 hours)
• Barkot → Yamunotri – 36 km (drive) + 7 kms by trek
• Barkot → Uttarkashi – 100 km (4 hours)
• Uttarkashi → Gangotri – 100 km (4 hours)
• Uttarkashi → Rudraprayag – 180 km (7-8 hours)
• Rudraprayag → Kedarnath – 74 kms (drive) + 20 kms trek (new route)
• Rudraprayag → Badrinath – 160 km (6-7 hours)

Chardham Yatra Travel tips for best preparation

• Wear comfortable and warm clothing at all times.
• Do not attempt to do the journey, if not feeling well.
• Carry all kinds of medicines with you.
• Stay close to your, family/friends.
• Carry some kind of identity card, in case of an emergency.
• Hire a guide/use maps, if you are not sure of the routes.
• Carry a cheap/local cellphone for safety purposes.

        Have a safe journey!