Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, India
Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham Yatra - Uttarakhand is known as “Dev Bhoomi” because of numerous pilgrimage sites and worshipped by the devotees but the Four Pilgrimage sites Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath are most prominent which known as “Char Dham” and visiting these places in a sequence known as “Char Dham or Tirtha Yatra”.
These four pious sites are located in Indian Himalayas away from the pollution in soothing climate and invigorating greenery at different districts of Uttarakhand.
Beliefs for Char Dham Yatra
The Char Dham Yatra is done in a sequence from west to east.
Yamunotri | Gangotri | Kedarnath | Badrinath
“Char Dham” holds a great position in Hindu Mythology and people believe that it is important to go for this yatra once in a lifetime to get salvation and overcome all the sins. It is great for the people who are in search of spirituality and tranquility.
History of the Char Dhams
Each Pilgrimage site has its own mythological history which made these places great holy sites.
Yamunotri
Goddess Yamuna is the daughter of Lord Surya and the sister of Yamraj. A saint named “Asit Muni” lived here and took a bath in Ganga and Yamuna.
At the time of his old age, he was unable to go to Gangotri then Ganga’s stream started to flow across the Yamuna.
- It is the source of River Yamuna and is the second most holy river in India after Ganga in Uttarkashi district.
- Yamunotri temple was built in 1839 by Naresh Sudarshan Shah the king of Tehri.
- It is believed that bathing in the water here purifies the soul of a person and washes all the sins.
- Hot water springs are present around the temple and Surya Kund is most important among all.
Gangotri
During Ashwamedha Yagna King Sagar sent his 60,000 sons along with a horse and the horse got lost and the sons went in search of a horse to saint Kapila’s ashram.
The saint in anger opened his eyes and turned all 60,000 sons into ashes.
- Bhagirath's extreme meditation made the goddess Ganga come down to earth.
- Lord Shiva tied Ganga then distributed the water into many streams to save earth.
- The origin of River Ganga is Gomukh glacier in Uttarkashi district.
Kedarnath
The Pandavas wanted Lord Shiva to forgive them for their sins committed at the battleground of Mahabharata by killing their brothers Kauravas.
Lord Shiva transformed himself into a bull and was hiding in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.
- All the parts of Shiva appeared at different places – Hump at Kedarnath, Navel at Madhya Maheshwar, Hair at Kalpeshwar, Face at Rudranath and Arms at Tungnath.
- All these five holy places are known as Panch Kedar.
- The temple of Kedarnath was made by Pandavas and later restored by Adi Shankaracharya.
- The structure survived the floods in 2013.
Badrinath
Lord Vishnu meditated here as an act of penance and his wife Goddess Laxmi became a tree and protected him from natural elements.
- Badrinath was Shiva’s kingdom and Lord Vishnu stayed here.
- The idol of Lord Vishnu was found in the Alaknanda River by Adi Shankaracharya.
- The temple was later constructed by the Garhwal king and reconstructed many times.
Best Time to do Char Dham Yatra
- The best time to visit Char Dham Yatra is from May to October.
- The temples remain closed during winter due to heavy snowfall and landslides.
Short Itinerary of Char Dham Yatra
Day 1 – Haridwar to Janki Chatti
Day 2 – Janki Chatti to Yamunotri and back
Day 3 – Janki Chatti to Uttarkashi
Day 4 – Uttarkashi to Gangotri and back
Day 5 – Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
Day 6 – Guptkashi to Gaurikund and Kedarnath
Day 7 – Rest day at Kedarnath
Day 8 – Kedarnath to Gaurikund and Guptkashi
Day 9 – Guptkashi to Rudraprayag via Pandukeshwar and Badrinath
Day 10 – Rudraprayag to Haridwar or Rishikesh
Detailed Itinerary of Char Dham Yatra
Day 1 - Haridwar to Janki Chatti
The drive is through Mussoorie, Barkot and Phool Chatti before reaching Janki Chatti. The journey takes around 9 to 10 hours.
Day 2 - Janki Chatti to Yamunotri
Visit Yamunotri temple, take a holy bath and return back to Janki Chatti for the night stay.
Day 3 - Janki Chatti to Uttarkashi
Travel to Uttarkashi and visit Vishwanath Temple and other nearby temples.
Day 4 - Uttarkashi to Gangotri
Visit Gangotri temple and return back to Uttarkashi in the evening.
Day 5 - Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
Drive to Guptkashi and enjoy views of Chaukhamba peaks.
Day 6 - Guptkashi to Kedarnath
Drive to Gaurikund and trek to Kedarnath which is located at 3548 meters.
Day 7 - Rest Day at Kedarnath
Spend time exploring the surroundings and enjoy the spiritual atmosphere.
Day 8 - Kedarnath to Guptkashi
Trek back to Gaurikund and drive to Guptkashi.
Day 9 - Guptkashi to Rudraprayag
Visit Badrinath and other nearby places before reaching Rudraprayag.
Day 10 - Rudraprayag to Haridwar
Drive back to Haridwar or Rishikesh which takes around 7 hours.
Char Dham Yatra is not just a journey across places, but a path towards inner peace.