The Char Dham- four abodes constitute the most notable pilgrimage circuit in the Indian Himalayas. These four sites in Uttarakhand are in the epicenter of religious activity in North India. Traditionally the Yatra is undertaken from undertaken from west to east.
The Yatra starts from Yamunotri, then proceeding to Gangotri and finally to Kedarnath and Badrinath. It is believed that a journey to these places not only washes away one’s sins but also ensures release from the cycle of birth and death. It is also said that the heaven and earth converge in these holy spots and to be born or die here is a boon. The pilgrimage follows the Hindu tradition of parikrama (clockwise circumambulation).
Yamunotri
Situated at an altitude of 3185 m, Yamunotri is the source of Ganga River. It is famous for its thermal springs and glaciers. The Yamunotri Dham takes trip to the sacred river to find redemption along the left bank of Yamuna. The main shrine here is of black marble built in 19th century by Maharaja Pratap Shah. Other prime excursions near Yamunotri are Surya Kund- the most important and sacred thermal spring named after the Sun God; Divya Shila- a rock pillar; Saptarishi Kund lake- the actual place where Yamuna rises covered with ice.
Reaching Yamunotri
By Air: The closest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun at a distance of 210 km. You can visit Char Dham at a time by taking helicopter service.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Dehradun railway station, 172 km.
By Road: It is very well connected by roads to all the key places including Rishikesh and Dehradun.
Gangotri
At a height of 3042 m on the bank of River Bhagirathi is the most sacred and picturesque spot where Ganga touched Earth for the 1st time. The temple was constructed in early 18th century and the shrine is open with great ceremonies in the April end on the auspicious day Akshaya Tritiya. Submerged Shivalinga; is a natural rock in Gangotri submerged in water. According to legend, this is the place where Lord Shiva was sitting when he received Ganga in his matted locks. About 18 km from Gangotri is Gaumukh glacier which resembles a cow’s face. It is the 2nd largest glacier of India.
Reaching Gangotri
By Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant airport, 260 km away from city centre.
By Rail: Rishikesh is the nearest railway station, 250 km away.
By Road: Gangotri is well connected by state owned bus services to major cities around.
- Also Read: Top 10 Places To Visit In Gangotri
Kedarnath Dham
The most sacred pilgrimage of Lord Shiva situated in Rudraprayag district. The main attraction here is the Shiva temple built in 8th century AD. Outside the temple door a large statue of Nandi bull stands as guards. The temple has a Garbh Griha for worship and a Mandapa. Other places to visit in Kedarnath are Gaurikund, Sonprayag and the famous Panch Kedar.
Reaching Kedarnath
By Air: Nearest convenient airport is Jolly Grant at Dehradun, 121 km.
By Rail: Nearest railheads are Dehradun and Haridwar.
By Road: Kedarnath is well connected by road with Dehradun, Delhi, Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Badrinath Dham
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu situated alongside the Alaknanda River, Badrinath is the holiest sites for the Hindus. The major attraction is the 1 meter tall statue of Vishnu made up of black Saligram stone flanked by Nar and Narayan. It is also one of the 108 holy shrines of the Vaishnavites. Other attractions include Tapt Kund- a natural thermal spring on the Alaknanda bank. The water of this Kund has medicinal properties; Neelkanth- is the snow covered peak of Badrinath.
Reaching Badrinath
By Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant airport, 317 km.
By Rail: Nearest railway stations are Rishikesh and Kotdwar.
By Road: Baronet is very well connected with all important cities.
Comfortable Accommodations in Chardham Destinations
Every year this auspicious place is visited by millions of peoples from different parts of India as well as some from outside India also. While on your Chardham Yatra, a large number of people remain worried for their accommodation in Chardham destination. In order to avoid discomforts related to accommodation in Chardham destination, it is advisable that you should plan your Chardham tour well in advance and then book your accommodation accordingly as per your budget and requirement through online. In this way you will have a large number of choice for good accommodation but if you will search out for the instant and immediate accommodation in Chardham destination then you may have to face lots of difficulties due to great rush.
Though at different Chardham destinations, there are numbers of suitable accommodations of different category but for your comfortable and peaceful Yatra, you should book your accommodation well in advance. Sometimes a large number of pilgrims have to face a great difficulties in finding out the suitable accommodation as per their requirement as the pilgrims are from different category and they have different requirements. But if you will plan your journey of Chardham well in advance then online you will get detail information about the accommodation of different categories in the entire route of Chardham and you can easily book them as per your budget and requirement.
You have to start your Chardham Yatra from Haridwar. It is a famous holy place and the gateway of the entire four pilgrimages of famous Chardham Yatra. Most of the pilgrims enjoy visiting this pilgrimage and this auspicious place remains full of pilgrims all the year round. You should book the hotel at Haridwar through online as per your budget and requirement. The next destination of the Chardham Yatra is Rishikesh. It is a known pilgrim centre so it attracts a large number of tourists all the year round. So this place has a wide range of hotels. Different destinations of Chardham Yatra have a large number of hotels but in order to avoid discomfort, you must book your accommodation well in advance.
Regular Bus Service in Chardham Sector by Transport Corporation
We are very glad to inform you that the Uttarakhand government gifted to all the chardham pilgrim, roadway buses in the route of chardham. It’s not any new service in that region, its continue form last many years. The buses will run from Rishikesh on regular basis. The transport corporation of Uttarakhand decided not to include buses in the joint rotation traffic committee.
Last year the buses which are added in the joint rotation policy are not used properly due to which the transport corroboration change their strategy to serve better to all the pilgrims.
Normally the whole public transportation facility in the chardham sector are depended on the joint committee of nine private transport company. On the pick session of chardham all the companies used their 40% of buses under the joint rotation policy. From last some years the transport corporation is also contributing in this pool to provide better and better services.
