Overview
Numerous temples may be found in Uttarakhand, also known as Devbhoomi or the Land of Gods, which welcomes visitors all year long. One of the most well-known of the several holy sites and circuits that pilgrims travel across Uttarakhand is the Char Dham Yatra. Yatra, or pilgrimage, is a journey to four sacred locations that are tucked away in the Himalayas: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Four and dham, respectively, are terms for holy locations in Hindi.
The high-altitude shrines are closed for about six months each year, starting in the spring (April or May) and ending as winter approaches (October or November). The Char Dham Yatra is supposed to be completed in a circular rotation. As a result, the pilgrimage begins in Yamunotri, travels through Gangotri, Kedarnath, and ends in Badrinath. The trip can be finished by plane or road (helicopter services are available). Some followers also make the trip to Kedarnath and Badrinath as part of the Do Dham Yatra.
The Yamunotri temple is devoted to Goddess Yamuna and is located in the Uttarkashi area close to the source of the River Yamuna, which is the second-most sacred river in India after the River Ganga. The most revered of all Indian rivers, the Ganga, is honoured in Gangotri in the Uttarkashi district. Kedarnath, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated in the Rudraprayag district. Lord Vishnu is the focus of Badrinath, which houses the revered Badrinarayan Temple. The Char Dham Yatra is both divine and exhausting, yet it also satisfies the soul!
Highlights
- Yamunotri
- Gangotri
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
Short Itinerary of Char Dham Tour from Delhi
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle)
- Transportation to and from!!
- Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea) and accommodations during the trip in hotels with family environment
- Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip
- Down jacket, all-season sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map(in case if you don’t have your own. Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag must be returned after completion of the trip)
- First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit but we also advise to bring yourself for your own use, as far as possible)
- All the required permits and paperwork
The Cost Excludes
- International Airfare
- Visa Charges
- Hotel Expenses(In Kathmandu, some packages do include hotel expenses)
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, titbits etc
- Food and accommodations in Kathmandu
- Services not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency
- Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.
FAQs
Char Dham – means four sacred places in India as per Hindu belief. They are PURI, DWARKA, BADRINATH and RAMESHWARAM – collectively known as the Chardham of India are the most sacred of all pilgrimages. It is believed that undertaking a journey to these holy shrines located in the four corners of India washes away one’s sins and relieves one from the cycle of birth and death.
However, some people called these places as Char Dham – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinathji (in Uttaranchal) – which although sacred, are not actually char dham. Any Dham is a revered place, but “Char Dham” actually refers to – Puri, Dwarka, Badrinath & Rameshwaram – where live four Shankaracharyas.
Char Dham – means four sacred places in India as per Hindu belief. They are PURI, DWARKA, BADRINATH and RAMESHWARAM – collectively known as the Chardham of India are the most sacred of all pilgrimages. It is believed that undertaking a journey to these holy shrines located in the four corners of India washes away one’s sins and relieves one from the cycle of birth and death.
However, some people called these places as Char Dham – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinathji (in Uttaranchal) – which although sacred, are not actually char dham. Any Dham is a revered place, but “Char Dham” actually refers to – Puri, Dwarka, Badrinath & Rameshwaram – where live four Shankaracharyas.
Badrinath temple darshan timings
Morning :4 AM – 12 Noon
Evening: 3 PM – 9 PM
The answer is yes. Now these days it has become very easy for thirtha yatra, Yamunotri and Kedarnath is hard to reach, but you can hire Palki to go up, transportation reaches very close to rest of the places.
Please note that these are high altitude areas,and thus it is advised that people who have any respiratory problems or cardio-vascular problems to seek doctor’s advice before venturing to these areas.
Chardham Yatra can be starts either from Delhi or Haridwar as being a capital of India, Delhi is connected with almost entire World & all major Cities of India through various flight connections and Trains. Road connectivity from Delhi to Haridwar is very good as by road it is just 210 km/ 5 hours drive (approx). One can travel by air from Delhi to Dehradun (Joly Grant Aiport) which is just 41 Km away (1 hrs drive approx) from Haridwar. Nearest Railway station of Haridwar is just 16 Km before of “Har-Ki-Pauri” (Haridwar) and train journey from Delhi to Haridwar takes only 4-5 hrs approx. Chardham Yatra starts from Delhi – Hardiwar – Barkot – Yamunotri – Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Guptkashi- Kedarnath- Rudraprayag- Badrinath- Joshimath- Srinagar(Garwal)- Rishikesh – Delhi. These places can be covered in approx 12 days from Delhi to Delhi and from Haridwar to Haridwar it takes approx 11 days.
Every Year Chardham Yatra begins from the month of April or May onwards and continues until October/November as the doors of all four temples (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yumunotri & Gangotri) remain open till the day of “Diwali Festival” which is celebrated every year during the month the month of October/November. “Diwali festival –Also called Deepawali” is considered as one of the main festival of Hindus and dates of this festival to be decided by the holy saints/Gurus/Priests according to Hindu calendar). After Diwali doors of all temples remain close for the next five or six months due to heavy snow fall and very cold weather as all these temples are located in the remote places of Himalayan Mountain where life is not easy to survive due to uncertain weather conditions
Chardham Yatra is considered is as one of the toughest Yatra in Himalayan region, so don’t take it lightly as one should physically and mentally fit to travel this circuit. Weather of Char Dham Circuit is very uncertain as temperature changes almost three times in a day since day time is hot and evening is pleasant but nights are some time very cold. It is advisable to take heavy woollen cloths such as warm Jacket, Coat, Sweater, Gloves & woollen socks and good walking shoes with grip, slippers & sandals, first aid kit. Also carry Insect repellent or lotions to avoid any mosquito infection. One can carry rain coat as well as some time its rain in this circuit as weather can be changed at any time here.
Don’t forget to bring personal medicines during your trip to Char Dham Circuit if you are patient of any such dieses like any kind of allergies, diabetes or asthma or any such conditions that may require emergency treatment and are specially advised to carry prescriptions of the medicines and also preferably carry a letter from your physician during your trip.
You may choose either GMVN or private agencies, provided they are reliable, low cost and affordable. There are some deluxe category hotels termed as ‘3 star hotel’. You will get basic meals in this route. If budget is no constraint, you may hire a cab from Delhi or Haridwar for the entire trip.
You can also choose private Char Dham operators as well. Some of the popular Char Dham tour operators are: Usha Breco – Usha India Destiations, Leisure Hotels, Makemytrip, Yatra, etc
The fare of helicopter ticket to Kedarnath is approx Rs 7,990/- per person from Phata, which includes return helicopter fare with exclusive of priority darshan as per the prevalent rate.
Option1: By Train till Haridwar or Delhi
You can take train to Haridwar/Delhi from Howrah and fare depends on which class you book. Delhi/Haridwar to Gaurikund by bus or taxi. Then about 11 km trek to Kedarnath Temple.
Option2: By Flight till Delhi
You can take flight to Delhi from Kolkata and fare depends on which class you book. Delhi to Gaurikund by bus or taxi. Then about 11 km trek to Kedarnath Temple.
Gangotri has plenty of hotels near the main temple itself so it should not be a problem to find a room. Only the rooms in GMVN can be booked in advance but usually they are almost full in the months of May and June. Do not worry, you will get the rooms easily. In case, you do not get then, turn back to Dharali and Harsil about 20 Kms before Gangotri. These places also have many hotels.
It would cost anywhere between Rs.200 per day to Rs.500 per day. If you get a guide who has done NIM course, then that would be on the higher end (near Rs.500/day).
Plus, you will have to look after his food and stay. A meal would cost approximately Rs.40/meal. So the cost of food comes out to be Rs.100/day/guide.
There are three token counters near taxi stand at Badrinath. You can collect your token (free) from one of these counters.
Token mentions darshan time and you need to be at the main door 10 – 15 minutes in advance. Please note that time allotted for darshan of the Lord Badrinath is only for 10 – 20 seconds in the peak season of May to July.
The token system was started in 2012 as a 10 day trial, but with its great success it has been continued for the Char Dham 2012 season.
With the token system there is no need for pilgrims to stand in long queues for several hours outside the temple, and pilgrims now visit other nearby spots in the time which was otherwise going waste.
