The Char Dham Yatra includes visiting four pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Anyone who can finish it after embarking on this particular journey is considered lucky. That’s because these sites are dedicated to various important deities of the Hindu religion. They hold immense religious and spiritual importance.
Undertaking a Char Dham Yatra is not easy. You have to battle with limited transportation and unpredictable weather conditions. Also, not to mention, it takes a toll on your physical and mental health. However, the Yatra itself could be a life-changing experience for you. It can provide you with a deep connection with the divine and help you grow spiritually.
If you want to visit Char Dham, you can choose to take a route that seems the most convenient to you. You can take the Haridwar or Rishikesh route that takes you to Yamunotri, and then Gangotri via Uttarkashi. Then it takes you to Kedarnath via Guptkashi and Sonprayag. Finally, it leads to Badrinath through Rudraprayag and Joshimath.
You can also start your journey from Dehradun and reach Yamunotri. The Delhi-Haridwar route or Delhi-Dehradun route is also convenient.
According to Hindu mythology, you have to reach Char Dham clockwise, from West to East. So it begins from Yamunotri and finally comes to an end in Badrinath. This article talks about the best routes for the Char Dham Yatra. You can definitely make your journey a better experience if you follow the instructions discussed here.
Yamunotri Route
The Yamunotri route is an essential part of the Char Dham Yatra. It takes you to the holy shrine of Yamunotri, located in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. This route is a sacred and enriching experience for anyone who wants to get in touch with divinity. When you take this route, you will witness excellent landscapes along the banks of the Yamuna River.
When you are on your way to Yamunotri, your journey begins from the sacred town of Rishikesh. Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital of the World, serves as the gateway to Char Dham Yatra. From Rishikesh, you need to travel to the picturesque town of Hanuman Chatti or Janki Chatti. This town is around 214 km from Rishikesh. However, the road to Hanuman Chatti includes dense forests, charming villages, scenic valleys, and outstanding views of the Himalayas.
After reaching Hanuman Chatti, don’t get tired already as you still have a lot to go. From here begins the actual adventure of the Yamnoutri Dham. You will have to trek for approximately 4 hours to cover a distance of 6 km. If you are not able to walk easily, you can hire a pony or a palki for your journey. First, you will reach Phool Chatti and then Janaki Chatti, which is the last stop before you reach Yamunotri. However, there are some resting places and several shops for tea breaks.
The main attraction of the Yamunotri pilgrimage is the Yamunotri temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Situated at an altitude of 3,291 m, the glacier is considered the source of the Yamuna River. The main deity of the temple is Goddess Yamuna, who is also believed to be the daughter of the Sun God.
Apart from the main temple, there are quite a few other attractions that you can also visit. For example, a hot water spring called Surya Kund where the devotees cook rice and potatoes, and accept it as Prasad from Goddess Yamuna. There is also a rock pillar that you need to worship before entering the main temple, which is also considered sacred.
After seeking blessings from Goddess Yamuna, it’s time to find your way back to Hanuman Chatti. Then the process of visiting the next destination, Gangotri, begins. The return journey also offers spectacular views of the Himalayas, somewhat different from the previous one.
Gangotri Route
The Gangotri route is a significant part of the Char Dham Yatra. It holds immense spiritual importance since it is the main origin of the Ganges, the holiest river in India.
The journey begins from the town of Rishikesh and can be easily accessed via rail or road. Like Yamunotri, Rishikesh serves as a major gateway to Gangotri. After seeking blessings and strength from the temples in Rishikesh, you need to proceed towards the first stop, Uttarkashi.
Uttarkashi is situated about 147 km from Rishikesh, and the journey takes around 6-7 hours. Uttarkashi is a picturesque town nestled in the Himalayan mountain range that acts as a base for the Gangotri Yatra. Upon reaching Uttarkashi, you must rest for some time to acclimatise yourself to the higher altitude.
From Uttarkashi, your next destination is Gangotri. To reach Gangotri, you need to cover a distance of 197 km, which is difficult, but not impossible. On this route, you will cover places like Bhatwari, Gangnani, and Harshil. The journey is a treat to the eye with beautiful waterfalls, lush forests, and snow-capped mountains.
Gangotri is renowned for the Gangotri Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. The holiest river in India, the Ganges, originated from Gangotri Glacier, which is another reason to visit this place. Situated at an altitude of 3,048 m, Gangotri is adjacent to the Indo-Tibetan border as well. After you reach the temple, it’s time to seek blessings and take in the tranquil surroundings of the temple.
However, you can follow some other routes as well to reach Gangotri. From Rishikesh, you can go to Dehradun and then to Mussoorie. Mussoorie is one of the most picturesque hill towns in Uttarakhand. Mussoorie, Chinyalisaur, Uttarkashi, Harshil, and then Gangotri could be another convenient route for you.
Another route to reach Gangotri is via Devprayag. However, this is the longest route anyone can take, as you have to cover a distance of 300 km. Rishikesh, Devprayag, Maletha, Uttarkashi, Harshil, and Gangotri is the route here.
Kedarnath Route
After visiting Gangotri, you need to walk your way towards Kedarnath. Kedarnath is perhaps the most famous pilgrimage site among Char Dham. Situated in the magnificent Himalayan range, Kedarnath is one of the holiest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The journey to Kedarnath begins at the base camp in Gaurikund. Reaching Gaurikund is quite easy as it can be reached from either Haridwar or Rishikesh. The journey to Kedarnath is tricky, and not many people can finish it. The route is challenging, yet breathtaking since it takes you through rivers, forests, and mountains. From Gaurikund, you have to trek for 18 km, which is a little exhausting. However, helicopter services are available for people who don’t want to trek. You can take a helicopter ride from Dehradun, Guptkashi, Sirsi, or Phata.
To reach Kedarnath temple, you have to cover 223 km in total. But when you reach the temple, you will know that your journey was worth everything. The Kedarnath Temple, located at an altitude of 3,584 m, stands as a symbol of devotion and more importantly, resilience. It is believed to be more than a thousand years old, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. According to a legend, Lord Shiva took shelter in this place after the great Kurukshetra war. If you visit the temple at least once in your life, you’ll be forgiven from all sins as it is believed.
The trek to Kedarnath is challenging and not suitable for all. You have to start early in the morning so that you can reach on time. Make sure to hire a pony or Palki if you are not able to cover that much distance on foot. The trek itself is an adventure where your physical and mental endurance will be tested.
The temple itself is not without challenges as well. In 2013, a tremendous flood devastated the area, including the temple. The temple was restored to its former glory, which is a testament to the underlying faith and determination of the people.
However, Kedarnath has witnessed tremendous growth over the years when it comes to accommodation and other facilities. If you take the journey now, you will have safety and comfort to a certain level. Helicopter services have also played a crucial role to make the journey more comfortable for the elders and physically challenged people.
Overall, Kedarnath Temple is an outstanding destination, situated near the River Mandakini. Lord Kedarnath is worshipped here as an avatar of Lord Shiva.
Badrinath Route
Badrinath, the last stop of the Char Dham Yatra route, is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, it is nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of 3,100 m. The journey to Badrinath is a spiritual experience, and it attracts millions of devotees from all around the globe. You need to know the Badrinath route for Char Dham Yatra to embark on this divine adventure.
The Badrinath route starts from Rishikesh, which is the gateway to the Himalayas. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, located in Dehradun. From Rishikesh, the journey advances towards Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda originate from the Ganges. Then the route continues to Srinagar, another beautiful town famous for its ancient temples and surroundings.
Then you have to travel through the rugged land of Rudraprayag, where the enchanting beauty of the place will surely surprise you. Here you will witness the astonishing site of Sangam, where the Mandakini River meets the Alaknanda River. Now, the next stop is Karnaprayag, where the River Alaknanda is joined by the Pindar River. According to popular belief, if you visit the temple in Karnaprayag, it will bring you blessings and grace from God.
This is followed by Chamoli, another picturesque town that is also the headquarters for trekkers heading towards the famous Valley of Flowers. Then, as you advance further, you reach Pipalkoti, a surreal village and an ideal place to take a break from the journey. The final step towards the Badrinath Temple leads to Joshimath, a sacred town where Lord Badrinath resides during winter. Here you can visit the famous Narasimha Temple.
From Joshimath, you need to take a brief but challenging journey to Badrinath via road. After reaching Badrinath, you will be greeted by the majestic Neelkanth Peak, standing tall as if guarding the temple. The temple is home to Lord Badrinath, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is an ancient temple and is an architectural wonder for sure. Before entering the temple, you need to take a bath in the Tapt Kund, a natural hot spring. Inside the temple, you can witness the shrine, utter prayers, and find solace in the divine temperature.
Apart from the Badrinath temple, there are quite a few other attractions that you can explore. You can visit the Mana village, also known as the first Indian village, which is located near the Indo-Tibetan border. Then you can also visit Mata Murti Temple, Bheem Pul, Ganesh Cave, Vyas Cave, Brahma Kapal, etc.
Overall, reaching Badrinath Temple might be harder for anyone, but it purifies the soul in a way nothing else can.
In conclusion, your Char Dham route map could be different from others, but it should lead you in the right direction. It is such a journey that people can take only once in life. So you must enjoy every minute of it to remember it for the rest of your life. Choose your route carefully and embark on a spiritual journey like never before.
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