Char dham yatra
Char Dham is the most sacred pilgrimage circuit. This is a circuit of mythologies and one of those circuits which cossets four abodes of God. You can go on defining these two words in different and beautiful ways.
This pilgrimage was initiated by the great Hindu intellectual and reformer, sage Adi Shankaracharya. This sacred pilgrimage was undertaken by the sage with a motive of reinstating the Hindu religion in the 8th century, and indeed four pilgrimages were well-suited to meet his purpose. Yamunotri, the abode of Shakti Yamuna, Gangotri, abode of Shakti Ganga, Kedarnath, abode of Lord Shiva and Badrinath, the abode of Lord Vishnu is the four holy places embracing the foothills of Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand. It is believed all the sins of the devotees get washed off; are forgiven when one visits this holy circuit. This Char Dham Yatra, due to this belief which is prevailing since ages, is a must for every human being. It is not that people visit here only for getting salvation but they come to these places in order to experience enlightenment and peace and spirituality. The Char Dham pilgrimage of Uttarakhand starts in April –May and continues till Diwali, which is one of the big Hindu festival celebrations during the months of October-November.
Season: May – June & September – October
Region: Garhwal Himalaya
Max Altitude: 3384 mts (Kedarnath)
Duration: 12 days
Highlights of Char Dham yatra Pilgrimage :
Haridwar, Mussoorie, Kempty fall, Yamuna River, Bandar punch Peak view from Barkot, Sri Yamunotri Temple, Prakateshwar Cave, Kashi Vishwnath Temple, Shakti Temple, Bhagirathi River, Sri Gangotri Temple, Gomukh, Tehri Dam, Mandakini River, Sri Kedarnath Temple, Gaurikund, Alaknanda River, Sri Narsingh Temple, Adi Shankarcharya Samadhi, Dhauli River, Sri Badrinath Temple, Byas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bheem Pul, Saraswati River, Mana Village, Pinder River, Nandakini River, Confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda River, Rishikesh, Laxman Jhoola, Ram Jhoola, Swarga Ashram etc.
Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar (205 Kms. 6 hrs)
In the morning drive to Haridwar from Delhi via Meerut and Roorkee. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Later, in the evening visit the pious Har Ki Pauri for Aarti Darshan. Thereafter unwind yourself through a comfortable overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 02: Haridwar – Barkot (215 Kms/5 – 6 hrs)
Post breakfast, drive to Barkot via Dehradun and Mussoorie. En-route enjoy lunch in Mussoorie and then continue the journey. You will reach Barkot by evening, upon arrival check into a hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 03: Barkot – Yamunotri – Barkot 42 kms Drive / 6 kms trek.
In the morning after an early breakfast, head off for a 42 km drive towards Janki Chatti. Upon arrival, begin your 6 km trek towards Yamunotri. Once reached, visit the main Yamunotri temple for darshan; fold your hands and bow your head down before the Goddess Yamuna, and take her blessings for the pilgrimage. After paying homage, trek back to Janki Chatti in evening. From here our driver will take you back to Barkot, there you will enjoy an overnight stay in the hotel..
Day 04: Barkot – Uttarkashi (Drive 82 Kms, 04 hrs)
Begin the morning with an 82 km long drive to Uttarakashi. In the journey visit the Prakateshwar Cave, a natural limestone cave that is famous for having formations resembling the holy shivling. Upon arrival at Uttarakashi, check into a hotel. In the evening visit the Vishwanath Temple and later return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Uttarakashi : It is situated at the bank of the Bhagirathi River and is bestowed with various famous shrines. To name a few- Vishwanath, Ekadash Rudra, Bhairav, Gyaneshwar and Kuteti Devi Temple.
Day 05: Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Uttarkashi (100 km one side)
Drive to Gangotri early in the morning. Once reached, take a holy dip in the pious water of the holy river Ganges, (also known as Bhagirathi). Perform the respective rituals and bask in the splendid and serene surroundings of the place. In the afternoon drive back to Uttarakashi and check into the hotel on arrival.
Day 06: Uttarkashi – Guptkashi (223 kms. Drive 9 – 10 hrs)
After an early breakfast, drive to Guptkashi. A late lunch is scheduled en-route at Molgarh/Tilwara/Ghansali. In the way, see the heritage city of Tehri slowly sinking into the mighty waters of the Holy River Ganges due to the construction of the Tehri Dam. Take a lunch break and then continue your journey with the wonderful view of the beautiful river Mandakini. You will reach Guptkashi by evening. Upon arrival check in to a hotel and have a relaxing overnight stay.
Day 07: Guptakashi – Kedarnath (32 kms Drive, 20 kms trek)
In the morning drive to Gaurikund (32 km from one side). Upon arrival, you will have to walk through a zigzag route. continue trekking towards the Kedarnath Temple. On arrival, check into a hotel or tourist bungalow. Freshen up and visit the Kedarnath Temple. Pay homage at the holy shrine and then in the evening visit the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, located just behind the temple. Return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 08: Kedarnath – Pipalkoti (20 Kms trek 145 kms Drive)
Trek down to Gaurikund in the morning, and on arrival drive towards Pipalkoti. By evening you will check into a hotel at Pipalkoti. Relax and enjoy an overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 09: Pipalkoti – Badrinath (72 kms)
In the morning, post breakfast drive to Shri Badrinath Ji. There are various temples that will fall in the way like the Narsingh Temple and Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi. Visit these shrines for attaining peace of mind and then continue the drive to Badrinath. Upon arrival, check into a hotel. Later, take a holy dip in the Tapt Kund, followed by a visit to the main temple. In the late afternoon, visit the Mana Village, the last village before the Tibetan border, Bheem Pul, Byas Cave & Ganesha Cave. Drive back to Badrinath and in the evening you can visit the shrine for Aarti Darshan. Later, enjoy an overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 10: Badrinath – Rudraprayag (160 kms)
If you want to see the Holy bath of the Sri Badrinath then wake up early in the morning by 03:30 am and enjoy the beautiful sight.
After breakfast drive to Rudraprayag via Joshimath, Chamoli, Nanda Prayag and Karna Prayag. On arrival, check in to a hotel and have a comfortable overnight stay.
Day 11: Rudraprayag – Rishikesh (135 Kms 7 hrs)
In the morning drive to Rishikesh via Srinagar and Devprayag. Devprayag is the confluence of holy rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi; after meeting at this place, these two holy water bodies unite together to form the Ganges. Once arrived at Rishikesh, check into a hotel. Later visit the Laxman Jhula, followed by an overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 12: Rishikesh – Delhi (234 km)
In the morning after breakfast, drive back to Delhi. Arrive at Delhi by late afternoon.
Tour onwards…
Char dham yatra
Things to carry:
- Woolen Cap
- Trekking Shoes
- Rain Coat
- pair of cotton socks
- Head Lamp/Flash Light
- Moisture Cream
- Personal medicine
- Winter warm clothings according to minus temperature.