Char Dham

Finding Peace and Serenity in Char Dham Yatra

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!

7 Days - Click to know more

Day 1:

Arrive in Haridwar

Arrive at Haridwar Railway Station or Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and transfer to your hotel in Haridwar.
Take a dip in the holy Ganges River and attend the evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
Visit various temples in Haridwar, such as Mansa Devi Temple and Chandi Devi Temple.

Day 2:

Haridwar to Yamunotri

Start your journey to Yamunotri , the first stop of the Char Dham Yatra.
Drive to Janki Chatti and then trek or hire a pony/doli to reach Yamunotri Temple.
Take a dip in the hot water springs of Yamunotri and visit the temple dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.
Stay overnight in Yamunotri or return to Barkot for accommodation.

Day 3:

Yamunotri to Gangotri

Depart from Yamunotri and proceed towards Gangotri, the second stop of the Char Dham Yatra .
Enjoy the scenic drive along the banks of the River Bhagirathi.
Visit Gangotri Temple, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, and take part in the evening Ganga Aarti.
Explore the picturesque surroundings and visit the nearby Bhagirath Shila and the Gauri Kund waterfall.
Stay overnight in Gangotri or nearby Harsil.

Day 4:

Gangotri to Kedarnath

Leave Gangotri and travel to the sacred town of Guptkashi.
Trek or hire a pony/doli from Gaurikund to reach Kedarnath Temple , located at an elevation of 3,583 meters.
Visit the ancient Kedarnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and seek blessings.
Explore the serene beauty of the surrounding mountains and stay overnight in Kedarnath.

Day 5:

Kedarnath to Badrinath

Depart from Kedarnath and travel to Badrinath, the final stop of the Char Dham Yatra.
Visit Badrinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and take part in the evening Aarti.
Explore the Tapt Kund hot springs and visit nearby attractions like Mana Village, Vyas Gufa, and the Vasudhara Falls.
Stay overnight in Badrinath.