Are you planning for the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand, India? If Yes, this article is for you.
In this article, you will learn about the 4 Dham, the climatic conditions i.e. the best to visit, transportation options, the dos and don’ts of the trip and important tips.
Which are the Chardhams in Uttarakhand?
Yamunotri Dham, Gangotri Dham, Kedarnath Dham and Badrinath Dham are the 4 Dham (Chardham) in Uttarakhand.
The four holy shrines are amidst the Garhwal Himalayas and are dedicated to different deities.
This journey of spirituality and devotion becomes more beautiful with the views of the Himalayas.
The Yatra commences from Yamunotri and is then followed by Gangotri, Kedarnath and finally concludes at Badrinath.
Since the holy shrines are established at insane locations and huge altitudes, not all devotees can reach there by trekking.
The other helpful way of completing the Chardham Yatra is through travel companies that provide helicopter services.
Why do people visit the Chardham?
There is an unflinching faith among Hindus that visiting these holy shrines lets them dip into an immense spiritual aura.
It is not only a religious journey but also believed to be a life-changing, karma-eradicating, and bliss-engendering contact with the divine.
The other name of these 4 Dham in Uttarakhand is “Chota Char Dham – the small circuit of four abodes or seats.”
The actual Char Dham are Badrinath in Uttarakhand, Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, Dwarka in Gujarat, and Jagannath Puri in Odisha.
Let’s know more about Char Dham in Uttarakhand”
1. Yamunotri Dham
Rivers are the lifeline of almost every organism on the earth and it is pretty difficult to imagine our life without them.
Tucked gracefully at an elevation of almost 3293 meters above sea level, Yamunotri is believed to be the origin of River Yamuna, the second holiest river of India.
As the journey of the Chardham Yatra circuit commences from here, hence the pilgrimage holds great significance in Hinduism.
Janki Chatti, Hanuman Chatti, Surya Kund, Saptarishi Kund, Divya Shila, etc. are a few other religious sites established near Yamunotri Dham.
Another attraction about the destination is that you don’t only get to enjoy spirituality here but also can indulge yourself in several enthralling and exciting activities like trekking, nature walks, etc.
2. Gangotri Dham
Dedicated to the River Ganges, Gangotri is one of the most eminent destinations for Ganga worshippers as the place holds a very great place in the hearts of Hindus.
The region looks surreal as it is bestowed with gorgeous mountains, lush green valleys, colourful meadows, etc. and this makes Gangotri one of the holiest places to explore in the country.
According to Hindu mythology, it is the same place where Goddess Ganga came down to the earth for the first time to wash away the sins of King Bhagirathi’s ancestors.
Millions of devotees visit Gangotri every year to cleanse their souls and wash away their sins by taking a dip in the River Ganga.
Bhaironath Temple, Gaumukh Glacier, Tapovan, etc. are the star attractions of Gangotri Dham.
3. Kedarnath Dham
One of the most eminent and sought destinations of Shiva worshippers, Kedarnath holds immense significance in Hinduism and attracts millions of devotees every year.
Kedarnath is one of the most important pilgrimages of Panch Kedar Yatra and is also one of the most significant Jyotirlingas established in the country.
Among all four shrines of the circuit, Kedarnath is the most challenging place to reach as the devotees have to cover a 14 km long trekking trail to do the philosophy of Lord Shiva.
Besides being reckoned for its spirituality the pilgrimage is also famous for its incredible natural beauty and grand architecture.
Vasuki Tal, Chorabari Tal, Bhairav Temple, etc. are a few of the major attractions of the region that one must explore.
4. Badrinath Dham
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Badrinath is the final stopover of Char Dham Yatra as the journey concludes here.
Apart from the spiritual aura, the temple is also renowned for its grand architecture as it boasts of a colourful and imposing main entrance gate named Singhdwar.
This beautiful shrine is almost 50 feet high and is adorned with a small cupola on top enveloped with a gold gilt roof.
Garbha Griha, Sabha Mandap, and Darshan Mandap are the major attractions of the structure.
Vasudhara Falls, Mana Village, Satopanth Lake, Ganesha Cave, and Alkapuri Glacier are some of the most admiring and captivating places to visit in and around Badrinath Temple.
How to reach the 4 Dhams?
Completing the Chardham Yatra is not an easy task as the temples of the circuit are tucked at high altitudes and challenging trekking routes.
You can reach the 4 Dhams by the following options –
By Flight
The nearest airport to the shrines of Char Dham Yatra is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.
On reaching the airport you can easily get the vehicles to reach your desired destinations.
By Train
Rishikesh Railway Station and Haridwar Railway Station are the two closest railway stations to start your journey.
After coming out of the railway station you are not going to face any difficulty in finding transportation to move ahead for your journey.
By Road
The cities in the state are nicely connected so reaching by road is one of the most convenient ways to reach the pilgrimages of the circuit.
Gangotri and Badrinath are not very difficult to reach as they are well connected with the roads and are accessible by vehicles.
By Helicopter
You can reach out to different travel companies that provide helicopter services for all 4 Dham.
Popular Route for Chardham Yatra
Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Tehri → Dharasu → Yamunotri → Uttarkashi → Gangotri → Gaurikund → Kedarnath → Joshimath → Badrinath.
Best Time to Visit Char Dham Temples
The shrines are open for the public to visit only for half a year i.e. between May and the first week of November
The best time to visit all 4 Dhams is therefore between May and June or in September and October.
All these shrines are nestled amidst the Himalayas at huge elevations and this makes the pilgrimages witness inconsistent climatic conditions.
Hence, you need to be very much updated with the weather forecast when you plan for this divine journey.
Pilgrimages in Summer Months
Although summer season happens to be the best time to plan your religious journey as the weather is quite pleasing and favourable during the summer months.
During the daytime the temperature is moderate but at night the temperature starts going down and the climate becomes cold, so do not forget to carry woollen clothes with you.
Pilgrimages in Monsoon Months
The least preferred time to embark on this divine journey is as the region receives huge rainfall which makes the destinations prone to landslides.
Also, it becomes very difficult to walk or drive on the steep and slippery slopes.
Please note that helicopter services for Chardham Yatra remain closed during monsoon months.
Pilgrimages in Winter Months
With the onset of winter months, these regions in Uttarakhand start receiving heavy snowfall.
The entire regions get covered with thick sheets of snow and hence it is not a preferred time to plan this trip.
Also, the idols of the temples are shifted to lower altitude temples and the portals of the shrines are closed for six months.
Travel Tips – The Do’s and Don’ts
There are certain things that a traveller needs to keep in mind while planning their trip to Char Dham Yatra.
→ Refrain from consuming alcohol and non-vegetarian food items.
→ Carry woollen clothes with you even if you are travelling during the summer months.
→ Check with the Physician before your journey as you are going up to a higher altitude.
→ Follow Temple Outlined Rules – Don’t click photos where it is prohibited.
→ Avoid the Monsoon months. Rain, Landslides and road blockages make it risky.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Chardham Yatra begin?
The opening dates of Kedarnath are declared on the grand occasion of Mahashivratri and the Badrinath temple opening date is determined on Basant Panchami.
Similarly, the doors of Yamunotri and Gangotri were opened on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya.
How is the internet connectivity here?
BSNL and Airtel provide better connectivity here, hence to stay connected with your family and friends you must opt for these network connections.
Is it safe to explore the Chardham Yatra during monsoon months?
During the monsoon months, the regions are very prone to landslides.
Do we have any problem finding ATMS all around the Chardham Yatra circuit?
Yes, you are highly advised to carry enough cash with you because there are very less ATMs established there.
Is it safe for a solo female traveller to visit the pilgrimages of Chardham Yatra?
Absolutely! There is no need to worry about your safety and security on this holy Yatra.
Is there any special Darshan ticket available for Chardham Temples?
Yes, there are special puja rituals organized at the temples and if you want to participate in those special ceremonies then you need to buy a special Darshan ticket.
There are VVIP Darshan passes also available and opting for such passes saves a lot of time.
Is there any compulsory medical certification asked on this religious trip?
Being located in insane locations all the pilgrimages are difficult to reach and are considered physically as well as mentally taxing travel experience.
Are there any government guest houses like GMVN established at Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath?
Yes, there are government-owned guest houses available in the regions, hence if you are travelling with a low-budget plan then no need to worry about your accommodation.
What to pack in our baggage while travelling to Chardham circuit?
Sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, and a suncap are very essential to save yourself from tanning and carrying enough woollens is a must for this spiritual journey.
Summit it up
Uttarakhand Tourism is renowned for its religious sites. You can visit the Chardham not only for its spiritual experience but also for the adventure.
Trekking high in the mountains and reaching the temples alongside the rugged mountains – makes it a heavenly experience.
I hope this article helped you plan your Uttarakhand trip.
Read about another religious site in a different corner of India – Unakoti in Tripura.
