Char Dham Yatra is considered a religious journey for Hindus. This journey includes four sacred places situated in the snow-capped Himalayas in Uttarakhand. The Hindu pilgrimage consists of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. These places have sacred sites like temples and rivers. Kedarnath is famous for its Lord Shiva temple, Badrinath is famous for its Vishnu temple, Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna river, and the temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. At the same time, Gangotri is known as the origin point of the Ganga river. This yatra starts from Yamuntori, leads to Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and ends at Badrinath. It is believed that visiting these sacred places will wash one’s sins, purify the soul, and give inner peace. Hindus desire to visit sacred shrines once in life to achieve Moksha.
Let’s Dive Into Background and Prestige chardham yatra
1. History of Chardham Yatra
Since you read above that char dham means four holy places. There is a history of four holy places. Kedarnath temple is believed to be built by Pandavas and then renovated in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Badrinath is known for Lord Vishnu. In the 9th century, it was built by Adi Shankaracharya. People believe that God appeared at a black stone statue, which you can see at the temple. Gangotri is the birthplace of holy Ganga river. Amar Singh Thapa built the temple in Gangotri in the 18th century. People know Yamunotri for the holy river Yamuna and its temple. The temple was constructed in the 19th century by Tehri Naresh Sudarshan Shah. These are hisotrical points about chardham.
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2. Chardham Yatra Route Map
Route of sacred journey is a combination of driving and trekking. Here is a detailed overview of route map.
| Chardham | Route | Distance | Time Required |
| Haridwar/Rishikesh to Yamunotri | Reach Hariwar or Rishikesh, then travel towards Barkot. | 175km | 5 hours 30 minutes |
| Travel from Barkot to Janki Chatti. | 45km | 1 hour 30 minutes | |
| Start trek from Janki Chatti to your 1st holy place Yamunotri. | 5km | 2 hours | |
Yamunotri to Gangotri | Travel from Janki Chatti to Barkot. | 45km | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Drive from Barkot to Uttarkashi. | 83km | 2 hours 40 minutes | |
| Then move towards Gangotri from Uttarkashi. | 99km | 3 hours 40 minutes | |
Gangotri to Kedarnath | Drive Back from Gangotri to Uttarkashi | 99km | 3 hours 40 minutes |
| Then move towards Guptkashi from Uttarkashi | 199km | 7 hours | |
| Move from Guptkashi to Gaurikund | 30km | 1 hour 10 minutes | |
| Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath | 15km | 5 hours | |
Kedarnath to Badrinath | Trek back from Kedarnath to Gaurikund | 15km | 5 hours |
| Drive back from Gaurikund to Guptkashi | 30km | 1 hour 10 minutes | |
| Travel from Guptkashi to Joshimath | 161km | 5 hours | |
| Then drive from Joshimath to your last sacred place Badrinath | 40km | 1 hour 30 minutes |
3. Must See Spots Of Chardham Yatra
Following are the best places to visit during chardham yatra.
Haridwar
Haridwar is situated along river Ganga. This is a sacred place for pilgrims. Huge amount of pilgrims came to haridwar to perform religious activities. Popular tourist attractions of haridwar are,
Ganges River, Har Ki Pauri, Ganga Aarti, Chandi Devi Temple, Mansa Devi Temple, Kumbh Mela, Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Sarovar, etc.
Rishikesh
This town is gateway to chardham yatra. It is known as “Yoga Capital of World”. This place serves as base camp for chardham temples. People can see ganga and triveni river. Known tourist places of rishikesh are Laxman Jhula, Triveni Ghat, Parmarth Niketan, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Shivpuri, and more.
Barkot
Famous village of uttarkashi, serves as a stopover point for pilgrims on chardham yatra. This area provide beautiful scenes including view of snowcapped mountains. Barkot offers numbers of accommodation options for night stay. Generally devotees stay here for night, so that they feel fresh for next day yamunotri trek. Common attractive place in barkot are Yamunotri, Surya Kund, Hanuman Chatti, Janki Chatti, Chamba, Dodital, etc.
Yamunotri Dham
It is the holy temple for people on chardham yatra. Temple is located garhwal himalayas in uttarkashi district. Sacred place is accessible by 6km trek from janki chatti. One can enjoy Yamunotri Temple, Surya Kund, Divya Shila, Kharsali, Janki Chatti.
Uttarkashi
Hilly area offering facilities for pilgrims like hotels, food options. From this place one can get Helicopter ride for chardham yatra. Devotees stay here for short period during chardham yatra. Devotees can visit Vishwanath Temple, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Maneri Dam, Dayara Bugyal, Gangotri Temple, Gangnani, Dodi Tal Trek, etc.
Gangotri Dham
This is major temple of gangotri located along bhagirathi river. Famous visiting points of gangotri are Temple, Gangotri National Park, Gaumukh, Surya Kund, Bhagirathi Shila, Pandava Gufa, Kedar Tal, etc.
Guptkashi
It is located in garhwal himalayas. This place serves as rest point for pilgrims proceeding their yatra. It is accessible by road. It is pilgrimage site on the way to kedarnath in chardham yatra. Visiting spots of guptkashi are Vishwanath Temple, Ardhanarishwar Temple, Manikarnik Kund, Chopta, Kalimath Triyuginarayan Temple and many more.
Sonprayag
It is scenic rest point for pilgrims travelling to kedarnath during chardham yatra. This place has all basic amenities for devotees. It is located at sangham of mandakini and basuki river. Devotees often take holy dip in river before proceeding for yatra. Popular places of sonprayag are Gaurikund, Triyuginarayan Temple, Guptkashi, Kedarnath, Chopta, etc.
Gaurikund
It is located in rudraprayag district. This is the place where gauri won heart of lord shiva. Pilgrims generally stay here for one day to acclimatize to low oxygen pressure region before proceeding further. Gaurikund is religiously important as well as known for natural beauty. This town has basic accommodation and food amenities. Must see spots are Hot Water Springs, Sonprayag, Triyuginarayan Temple, Vasuki Tal, Kedarnath Temple.
Rudraprayag
Legends named this town after Lord Shiva, and it serves as a rest area for pilgrims on the Chardham Yatra. Devotees stay here to absorb its natural beauty. You can visit nearby places such as Triyuginarayan Temple, Kedarnath Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, and Chorabari Tal.
Badrinath Temple
Temple is situated in badrinath and dedicated to lord vishnu. This place have lodging facilities with basic food options. It is famous temple during chardham yatra. There are some spots you can visit other than badrinath temple. Tapt Kund, Neelkanth Peak, Charanpaduka, Mana Village, Vasudhara Falls, Bheem Pul, and many more.
4. Lodging Options
If you are planning chardham yatra, then hotel accommodation is necessary. So here is the list of hotel, lodges and dharamshalas in four holy cities.
| Place Name | Hotels, Lodges, Dharamshalas |
Yamunotri | Camp Veda, Durga Resort, Ramanand Ashram, Atharva Homestay, Arvind Ashram, Kalindi, Hotel Anil |
Gangotri | HimalayaShivalik, Laxminarayan Homestay, Kali Kamli Dharamshala, Mountain Village Stay, Prakriti-The-Retreat, Hotel Ganga Niwas |
| Kedarnath | Behl Ashram Hotel, Gujarat Bhawan, New Agrabhawan, Hotel Anshumann, Bala Ji House, Jay Jalaram Ashram Inn, Hotel Green View Inn |
| Badrinath | Dwarikesh, Hotel Kalash, Parmarth Lok Ashram, Andhra Ashram, Manav Kalyan Ashram, Narayan Palace, Jagirdar Guest House |
You should book hotels in advance during peak season.
5. Transportation Options For Holy Journey
You can opt for variable transportation modes depending upon your budget. So transportation options are car, bus, tempo traveler, airplane and rail.
By Road
Most pilgrims use bus service to reach chardham yatra. You can travel from any part of country to reach your required destination.
By Rail
Devotees from distant city of country can travel on rail according to their budget. Nearest railway station for chardham yatra is Haridwar and Rishikesh. Then you can reach further by public bus or private taxi.
By Air
If you are travelling from distant city of country or you are foreigner, then nearest airport for chardham yatra is jolly grant in dehradun and pantnagar in uttarkhand. After that you can take car or bus to reach haridwar or rishikesh and follows the given pattern.
| Route | Transportation | Estimated Fare (per person) | Time Taken To Reach |
Haridwar/Rishikesh to Barkot | Public Bus | 300 INR-500 INR | 7-8 hours |
| Private Car | 3k INR-5k INR | 6-7 hours | |
| Tempo Traveller | 6k INR-8k INR | 6-7 hours | |
| Barkot to Janki Chatti | Public Bus | 100 INR-200 INR | 2-3 hours |
| Private Car | 1.5k INR-2.5k INR | 1.5-2 hours | |
| Tempo Traveller | 2.5k INR-4k INR | 1.5-2 hours | |
| Janki Chatti to Yamunotri | Shire Horse (for trek) | 1k INR-3k INR | 4-5 hours |
Barkot to Uttarkashi | Public Bus | 200 INR-300 INR | 4-5 hours |
| Private Car | 2k INR-3.5k INR | 3-4 hours | |
| Tempo Traveller | 3.5k INR-5k INR | 3-4 hours | |
Uttarkashi to Gangotri | Public Bus | 200 INR-300 INR | 4-5 hours |
| Private Car | 2k INR-3.5k INR | 3-4 hours | |
| Tempo Traveller | 3.5k INR-5k INR | 3-4 hours | |
| Uttarkashi to Guptkashi | Public Bus | 300 INR-500 INR | 8-9 hours |
| Private Car | 4k INR-6k INR | 7-8 hours | |
| Tempo Traveller | 7k INR-9k INR | 7-8 hours | |
| Guptkashi to Gaurikund | Public Bus | 100 INR-200 INR | 1.5-2 hours |
| Private Car | 1.5k INR-2.5k INR | 1-1.5 hour | |
| Tempo Traveller | 2.5k INR-4k INR | 1-1.5 hour | |
| Gaurikund to Kedarnath | Helicopter | 7k-9k (one way) | 15 minutes |
| Gaurikund to Joshimath | Public Bus | 300 INR-500 INR | 8-9 hours |
| Private Car | 4k INR-6k INR | 7-8 hour | |
| Tempo Traveller | 7k INR-9k INR | 7-8 hours | |
| Joshimath to Badrinath | Public Bus | 100 INR-200 INR | 1.5-2 hours |
| Private Car | 1.5k INR-2.5k INR | 1-1.5 hour | |
| Tempo Traveller | 2.5k INR-4k INR | 1-1.5 hour | |
| Badrinath to Haridwar/Rishikesh | Public Car | 500 INR-800 INR | 10-12 hours |
| Private Car | 6k INR-9k INR | 9-10 hours | |
| Tempo Traveller | 12k INR-15k INR | 9-10 hours |
Fare may vary due to fluctuation of fuel prices.
6. Best Time To Perfrom Chardham Yatra
Plan your trip according to weather condition. You should perform the Chardham Yatra between April and June. All sites are easily accessible pre-monsoon and after monsoon. Avoid travelling during monsoon season because of landslides. Heavy snowfall makes some high-altitude sites unreachable, so traveling in winter is not recommended. So here is the tabular description of weather with month to month.
| Months | Description |
| Apr-Jun | It is the best time to perform religious journey. Weather is pleasant, no heavy rainfall, roads are open and all sites are easily accessible. |
| Jul-Sep | It is not the best time for a holy journey due to the monsoon season. Heavy rainfall can cause landslides and road blockages, so safety is paramount. |
| 0ct-Nov | During this season, climate change, monsoon got over and temperature begins to fall. Litte bit snowfall is expected in this duration. Sites are accessible and roads are open. |
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People may ask
1. What is the best time to perform chardham yatra?
April to June is the best time to perform yatra. But after monsoon September to November can also be considerable with growing cold season.
2. What are accommodation options during chardham yatra?
hotel, lodges and dharamshalas are available for accomodation.
3. What is the starting point of chardham yatra?
Generally devotees start this sacred journey from haridwar/rishikesh.
4. Are food options available there?
Yes, basic organic food is available.
5. What is chardham yatra?
It is religious journey compromising of four holy places Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
Bottom lines
So Chardham Yatra can be your life best religious journey. This journey will fill you soul with joy and peace. It must be performed in younger age. Every type of facilities can gettable during this journey. It is recommended that you consult best travel agency to book your slots. we hope you get all the required information about chardham yatra. So pack your bag to enjoy this adventurous and blessfull journy.
