Char Dham

Uttarakhand, also known as Devbhoomi or the Land of Gods, is home to numerous temples and welcomes devotees all year round. Among the countless religious sites and circuits that devotees visit in Uttarakhand, one of the most prominent is the Char Dham Yatra. This Yatra or pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath – nestled high up in the Himalayas. In Hindi, 'char' means four and 'dham' refers to religious destinations.

The high-altitude shrines remain shut for around six months every year, opening in summers (April or May) and closing with the onset of winter (October or November). It is believed that one should complete the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction. Hence, the pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath. The journey can be completed by road or by air (helicopter services are available). Some devotees even do a Do Dham Yatra or a pilgrimage to two shrines - Kedarnath and Badrinath.

The Yamunotri temple, lodged in a narrow gorge close to the source of River Yamuna (the second-most sacred Indian river after River Ganga) in Uttarkashi district, is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. The district of Uttarkashi is also home to Gangotri dedicated to Goddess Ganga, the most sacred of all Indian rivers. Located in the Rudraprayag district lies Kedarnath, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Badrinath, home to the sacred Badrinarayan Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Char Dham Yatra is as divine as it is arduous but fulfills the soul!

Yamunotri Temple

The Yamunotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, who is said to be the daughter of Lord Surya (sun) and the sister of Yama (the god of death). An intricately carved idol of Goddess Yamuna in polished black ebony stands inside the temple. Sitting next to the gurgling Yamuna river, the bright yellow and vermillion coloured temple is visible from a distance, dramatically set against the steep mountain face. Two natural hot springs, Surya Kund and Gouri Kund, flank the temple. Devotees dip rice and vegetables in the springs, as a divine offering. Devotees also pray at Divya Shilla, a reddish brown rock near Surya Kund. The temple is said to have been built in 1839 AD and rebuilt in the 19th century.

Gangotri Temple

One of the char dhams (the most sacred pilgrimage circuits in northern India with four holy destinations), Gangotri, in Uttarkashi, is a small town with the temple of Goddess Ganga at its heart. A 12-hour drive from Rishikesh, Gangotri is nestled among lofty Garhwal Himalayan peaks, glaciers and dense forests, and is one of highest pilgrimages in India (approx 3,415 m). Other than its divine atmosphere, Gangotri offers stunning vistas all around. According to Hindu legends, the most sacred of all rivers, Ganges (or Ganga), descended from heaven to earth at Gangotri, when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from his locks. The actual origin of the river is at Gaumukh in the Gangotri glacier, 19 km away from Gangotri and is accessible by trekking. After it originates from Gaumukh, the river is known as Bhagirathi and it acquires the name 'Ganga' after the river Alaknanda merges into it near the town of Devaprayag. Kapat is open now for darshan.

Kedarnath Temple

One of the most revered temple destinations of India, Kedarnath town is nestled in the mighty Garhwal Himalayas. The town, built around the revered Kedarnath temple, is located at an altitude of 3,580 m, near Chorabari glacier, which is the source of the Mandakini river. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the ancient temple has exquisite architecture and is built of extremely large but evenly shaped grey stone slabs. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his “Sadashiva” form. The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a part of Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India. Behind the Kedarnath temple, stand the Kedarnath peak, Kedar Dome and other Himalayan peaks.

The historical name of this region is "Kedar Khand" and legend says, the Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata, after having defeated the Kauravas, felt guilty of having killed so many people and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. The Lord eluded them repeatedly and took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. The Lord dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface at Kedarnath. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations.

Badrinath

The Badrinath Temple also known as the Badrinarayan Temple, located in Uttarakhand's Badrinath town, is one of the Char Dhams (four important pilgrimages) in the state. There are four pilgrim-destinations namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, collectively known as Char Dham. These pilgrimage centres draw large number of pilgrims each year, thus becoming the most important hubs of religious travel in the whole of Northern India. 

Badrinath is located at an elevation of around 3,100 m. Located in the Garhwal Himalayas, on the banks of the Alaknanda river, this sacred town lies between Nar and Narayana mountain ranges. The temple is believed to have been established by sage Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. With Lord Vishnu as its presiding deity, the temple remains open for six months in a year. In winter it becomes inaccessible due to heavy snowfall.

How to start from Haridwar to Chardham Yatra ?

To embark on the Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar, pilgrims typically follow a clockwise route: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally Badrinath. The journey can be undertaken by road, helicopter, or a combination of both.

1. Planning and Preparation:

Choose your mode of travel:

Decide whether you'll be traveling by road (bus, car, or taxi), helicopter, or a combination of both. 

Select a tour package:

Several travel agencies offer Char Dham Yatra packages from Haridwar, providing transportation, accommodation, and sometimes meals. 

Book in advance:

Especially during peak season, it's recommended to book your travel and accommodation well in advance. 

2. Route and Travel:

Haridwar to Barkot/Yamunotri: The first stop is usually Barkot, the base for Yamunotri. From Haridwar, you'll travel to Barkot, then proceed to Janki Chatti (trekking base for Yamunotri). 

Yamunotri: After reaching Janki Chatti, you'll trek to the Yamunotri temple. 

Barkot to Uttarkashi: From Barkot, you'll travel to Uttarkashi, the base for Gangotri. 

Gangotri: From Uttarkashi, you'll drive to Gangotri. 

Uttarkashi to Guptkashi/Kedarnath: After Gangotri, you'll return to Uttarkashi and then head to Guptkashi, the base for Kedarnath. 

Kedarnath: From Guptkashi, you'll travel to Sonprayag (shared jeeps are available), then trek to the Kedarnath temple. 

Guptkashi to Badrinath: After Kedarnath, you'll return to Guptkashi and then proceed to Badrinath via Chopta and Joshimath. 

Badrinath: You'll reach Badrinath, the final stop of the Char Dham Yatra. 

Return: After Badrinath, you'll typically return to Joshimath, then Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Rishikesh, and finally Haridwar. 

3. Important Considerations:

Helicopter services:

Helicopter services are available for portions of the yatra, particularly for Kedarnath and Badrinath. 

Altitude sickness:

Be aware of the altitude and take necessary precautions to prevent altitude sickness. 

Weather conditions:

The Char Dham region can experience unpredictable weather, so pack accordingly. 

Permits and registrations:

Ensure you have the necessary permits and registrations for the yatra. 

Health precautions:

Consult with a doctor before undertaking the yatra, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions.