Uttarakhand is called ‘Devbhoomi’ and rightly so because just after ‘Akshaya Tritiya the gates to Char Dham of Uttarakhand – Yamunotri – Gangotri – Kedarnath – Badrinath are opened to devotees coming from various corners of India and even abroad. The sacred Uttarakhand Dham Yatra is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimages in India. Usually, people take this trip –  Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra in hopes of relieving themselves from all the past Karmas and attaining salvation.

Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra | Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri And Yamunotri

If you are a trekker by heart and love nature unconditionally, then taking this Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra trip is a must for you; there are lush green forests, shimmering ice-capped mountains, long deep valleys, and ancient acclaimed temples situated amongst these natural backdrops! This is a perfect concoction to achieve that Zen within you if you have been trying!

Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra – Yamunotri Gangotri Kedarnath and Badrinath

Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra – Yamunotri Gangotri Kedarnath and Badrinath is a unique spiritual experience as well as a great trekking experience in India. Read on to know about the 4-Dhams – Char Dham Uttarakhand Yatra in brief.

Yamunotri – Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra

This is the first Dham in the list of 4 Dham Yatra. This Yamunotri Dham is dedicated to worshipping River Yamuna, the source of which is said to be a glacier named Yamunotri which is present at the elevation of 6387 meters.

If we go by the Hindu scriptures, it is said that dipping in the Yamuna River gives us a direct ticket to heaven! This is the reason why we start our journey from this very place. Scenic beauty-wise, the place is simply mesmerizing. This place is surrounded by expansive valleys, hot springs, and peaked forest trees; in the backdrop, there are the Himalayas, the ice tip of which is visible from the Yamunotri temple.

How to Reach this Uttarakhand Dham

Reaching Yamunotri temple is a thrilling experience in itself. First, you need to reach Janki Chatti by your vehicle and you need to trek to the spot for about 6 kilometres. It is at an altitude of 3293 metres. While you are trekking, do not miss out on the various water points, along the trail. If you get tired, you can use the benches and resting spots.

Spots not to be Missed on Yamunotri Dham Yatra

Below mentioned are places you must visit on your Yamunotri Dham Yatra.

1. Saptrishi Kund

This Kund is present at an altitude of 4421 metres and is said to be the original source of the river. To reach here, you need to trek another 7 kilometres and this would be quite a laborious trek but then mesmerizing views are possible only after a treacherous walk!

2. Surya Kund

One thing that you SHOULD NOT MISS on this trail is the series of hot springs called Surya Kund. These springs are refreshing in the chilling temperature and will rejuvenate you from within.

Gangotri – Char Dham in Uttarakhand

River Ganga originates from the Gangotri glacier and here river Ganga is worshipped as Goddess Ganga and is known as Bhagirathi. This Gangotri temple is located on the banks of the river Bhagirathi, which flows in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. This is a sacred river in India and Hindus across the globe rever this holy river Ganga.

The origin of this river is at ‘Gaumukh’, and reaching this glacier is a trek of a lifetime! You will need to be in a robust health condition to even attempt to reach ‘Gaumukh’. The flora and fauna life around this place is worth spending time on. If you are interested in knowing more about River Ganga, you can visit some of the other temples located around this area.

How to Reach this Uttarakhand Dham

You can reach Gangotri temple by your vehicle, right after staying at Uttarkashi. There is no trek to reach this temple. In fact, if you wish to just visit Gangotri from Haridwar or Delhi then even that is possible. On the way, you can also check out the Harsil village. If you are looking for the lowest rates on your travel & hotel booking, then coupons can surely help you to make your Yatra budget-friendly.

Spots Not to be Missed on Gangotri Dham Yatra

Below mentioned are places you must visit on your Gangotri Dham Yatra.

1. Bhagirath Shila

Shila means rock in Hindi and Bhagirath Shila is considered a holy rock because this is the spot where King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva.

2. Submerged Shivlinga

You will find a Shivlinga sub-merged at the river at Gangotri. It is believed that Lord Shiva sat at the spot of the Shivlinga and received the Ganga river when she descended from heaven.

3. Pandava Gufa

When Pandavas were travelling to Mount Kailash, they rested in a cave situated 1.5 kilometres from the Gangotri temple. This cave came to be known as ‘Pandava Gufa’.

4. Bhairon Ghati

This is a Bhairav Nath temple situated in a picturesque location at a distance of 10 kilometres from Gangotri temple. You will find some really dense forest around this temple.

Kedarnath – Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand

Kedarnath is Lord Shiva’s temple and is of great importance according to Hindu mythology. It is said that Adi Shankaracharya recreated a river called Mandakini River and Kedarnath is located near the banks of this Mandakini river.

There was a Shankaracharya statue near the temple that was destroyed in the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, but in November 2021 a new 12 feet statue of Adi Shankaracharya was again unveiled. Plan your itinerary in such a way that you spend one night right at Kedarnath itself; watch the ‘Shyam ki Aarti’  ( evening aarti ) and bask in the ultimate beauty that nature has to offer to you! Once you are here, you will experience a vibe that will stay with you all through your life.

How to Reach this Uttarakhand Dham

There are two ways to reach Kedarnath, and your choice of mode will determine how much adventure and fun you have on this trip! The first option is to take a 20-minute ride in a helicopter from Guptkashi and reach the top.

The second option is to trek for 16 kilometres on a medium-difficult terrain and reach the top, from Gaurikund. The trek to Kedarnath from Gaurikund is pretty rough and difficult; in fact, you will need to prepare your body months in advance to even attempt to walk this difficult trail. But then it is so much worth the effort.

The scenic beauty that envelopes this trail is comparable to nothing in the world! Yes, you can take a pony too, but again there is no adventure like trekking on this trail!

Spots Not to be Missed on Kedarnath Yatra

Below mentioned are places you must visit on your Kedarnath Dham Yatra.

1. Bhairon Temple

This Bhairon Baba Mandir or Bhairavnath temple is dedicated to Bhairav – a manifestation of Lord Shiva who is supposed to be the protector of Kedarnath Temple as well as the valley.

2. Panch Kedar

If you have the strength to trek further (if you are not exhausted physically!), you can check out the rest of the Panch Kedar Temples – Tungnath, Rudranath, Madmaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar.

Badrinath – Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra

This would be the last leg of your Chota Char Dham Yatra. This is considered one of the most sacred temples and millions of followers visit this temple every year. Badrinath temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and it is said that the idol of Lord Vishnu manifested itself here, and was found by Adi Shankaracharya.

The Badrinarayan idol at Badrinath is 1 foot tall and is made of black stone (aka Shaligram Patthar). This idol is surrounded by idols of many other gods & goddesses. Apart from the temple, the town itself is situated along the shores of the river Alaknanda; it is a beautiful town with thick forest cover, snow-covered mountains, and a river flowing amidst the surrounding expansive valley.  The location of Badrinath is stunning and beautiful!

How to Reach this Uttarakhand Dham

You can reach Badrinath directly by your vehicle, from Kedarnath; the distance is 218 kilometres but it takes about 7-8 hours to reach Badrinath from Kedarnath, so you will need to leave early in the morning from Kedarnath/ Joshimath – wherever you decide to spend your night.

Spots Not to be Missed on Badrinath Yatra

Below mentioned are places you must visit on your Badrinath Dham Yatra.

1. Neelkanth

Neelkanth is a mountain peak which is covered in snow. It is at an altitude of 6597 metres, and this peak receives the first ray of sunlight within the region. This forms a beautifully mesmerizing backdrop to the Badrinath temple. This is also called the Garhwal Queen.

2. Tapt Kund

This is again a hot spring but this Kund is famous for its medicinal properties. It is said that if you take a bath in this spring, it will improve the health of your skin.

In conclusion, if you are taking this trip – 4 Dham Yatra, then here are some tips that will stand you in good stead for planning your Chota Char Dham Yatra

•  First and foremost do pack right, especially your shoes because this trip involves a lot of walking and climbing
• It is good to take this trip in a group because the terrain can actually get difficult, especially because it can rain anytime
• There are millions who want to go on this trip, so it would be better if you make the bookings well in advance; it gets pretty full, especially in the months of May & June
• If you are used to travelling in luxury then do note that this trip may not have all the luxuries. There are chances you may have to halt even in tents and Dharamshalas

The words surely do not do justice to the experience this trip – Char Dham Yatra Uttarakhand offers; you have to be there to know why you should go on this trip – the Chota Char Dham yatra, at least once in your lifetime!

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