How to Plan for Chardham Yatra

History

•  Improvements After the 1962 War- Before 1950, reaching these four holy sites was difficult to trek. After the 1962 Indo China war, the Indian government worked hard to improve roads and buildings at the borders.
• Yamunotri- The Yamuna River, India’s second holiest river, starts at Yamunotri. It is believed that bathing here washes away sins and brings blessings. The Yamunotri temple was built in 1839 by the king of Tehri, Naresh Sudarshan Shah.
• Gangotri- This temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. It is believed that King Sagar’s sons lost a horse and they disturbed sage Kapila, who cursed them. Bhagirath (King Sagar’s grandson) prayed to Goddess Ganga to come down to Earth. Lord Shiva helped by controlling the river’s flow. Today, the Ganga is known for its purity and spiritual importance.
• Kedarnath- Kedarnath is the most famous religious spot in Uttarakhand, built by the Pandavas. The current temple was constructed by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, next to the original one. Now, it is still an important place for people to pray.
• Badrinath- This temple is very important in Hinduism and a part of both Char Dham and Chota Char Dham. The Badrinath Temple was built by Garhwal king in the 16th century and it was reconstructed many times after natural disasters.

Best Time to Visit Char Dham

• The perfect month to go for the Chardham Yatra tour is from May to August.
• The weather is clear during this time, without any unexpected floods or landslides.
• In these months, travelers can easily enjoy the clear sky and beautiful surroundings.
• Many festivals happen during this time that visitors should attend, like- Badri Kedar Festival, Shravan Shivratri, Shravani Annakoot Mela, and more.

Places to Visit in Char Dham Yatra

There are many places to explore during the Chardham Yatra-

Surya Kund- It is a hot water spring located near Yamunotri temple. Pilgrims visit to cook rice and potatoes in this hot water. People believe that eating this Prasad fulfills all the desires of the devotees. It is surrounded by the snow covered mountains of Kalindi.

• Time Required To Explore- 30 minutes
• Timings- 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Hanuman Chatti- It is a popular starting point for the trek to Yamunotri, located around 13 km away. The trek to Yamunotri is now 7 km shorter to make the journey easier for tourists. Many visitors stay at Hanuman Chatti because of the good accommodation options.

• Time Required To Explore- 2 to 3 Hours
• Timings- Open 24 Hours

Gaumukh Glacier- Gaumukh, also called Gomukh, is where the Gangotri Glacier ends, and is the starting point of the Bhagirathi River. It is located 4,023 meters above sea level. It is one of the largest glaciers in the Himalayas and a great spot for visitors to enjoy the scenic views and the camping.

• Time Required To Explore- 1 to 2 days
• Timings- Sunrise to Sunset

Bhairavnath Temple- This temple is located about 1 km from the Kedarnath Temple and it is dedicated to Bhairav, a powerful form of Lord Shiva. Many travelers visit here after going to the Kedarnath Temple.

• Time Required To Explore- 30 minutes
• Timings- 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Mana Village- Mana village is also known as the last village of India. Tourists can go for a walk from Badrinath to this beautiful village. According to Hindu beliefs, this is the way to heaven, and it is where the Pandavas started their final journey.

• Time Required To Explore- 1 to 2 Hours
• Timings- 24 Hours

How to Reach

There are several ways to reach Char Dham sites by flight, train, or road. Here are the details-

By Train

The nearest railway stations to the Chardham sites are in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Visitors can take taxis or buses from these stations to reach there.

By Road

You can travel by road to these four holy places from main cities like Delhi, Dehradun, and Haridwar. Regular taxis and buses are available for the Chardham locations.

By Flight 

Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and Pantnagar Airport are the nearest airports. From there, you can take a taxi or helicopter to arrive at Chardham places.

Travel Tips for Char Dham

• Keep the medical items- Keep a box of essential medicines like Vomistop and Avomine to control vomiting during uphill travel.
• Carry Travel Insurance- It is important to have travel insurance for trips to these hilly areas.
• Beware of High Altitudes- The Chardham locations are at high altitudes, so you may experience symptoms like headache, nausea or shortness of breath. Before starting the journey take a little time to get comfortable with the altitude.
• Plan in Advance- Char Dham Yatra is a popular pilgrimage, so it’s best to book accommodations and transport in advance. Make sure to get permits and services like pony if necessary.

FAQ;s

Q-1: What are the opening and closing dates for the Chardham Yatra?
Ans: The expected dates for the opening and closing of the temples have been announced.

• Badrinath Dham- 2 May 2025 to October 2025 (Tentative)
• Kedarnath Dham- 2 May 2025 to October 2025 (Tentative)
• Yamunotri Dham- 30 April 2025 to October 2025 (Tentative)
• Gangotri Dham- 30 April 2025 to November 2025 (Tentative)

Q-2: Can tourists bring drones to Char Dham?
Ans: Yes, drones are allowed in the Char Dham Yatra.

Q-3: Any permits required for Char Dham Yatra?
Ans: No permits are not needed in this Yatra.

Q-4: Which trek is the toughest in Chardham Yatra?
Ans: Kedarnath is the difficult trek in the Char Dham Yatra.

Q-5: Why is Char Dham Yatra important?
Ans: Chardham Yatra is important in Hindu religion because it is believed that this journey cleanses sins and gives moksha. Every person should visit these four holy places at least once in their life.

Q-6: Can visitors take photographs inside the Char Dham temples?
Ans: No photography is not allowed inside these four temples.

Q-7: Can solo travelers do Char Dham Yatra?
Ans: Yes, solo travelers can do char Dham Yatra.

Q-8: Which Dham should visitors go first?
Ans: Pilgrims should visit Yamunotri first, then go to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finish at Badrinath.

Conclusion

It is a tour guide for Char Dham Yatra with essential details to know about the journey. This pilgrimage includes 4 holy places like- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. This journey can be challenging but now it is easier with options like helicopter services for senior citizens, children and physically challenged people. The best time to visit is from May to August to enjoy the pleasant weather. Its good idea to book your accommodations in advance. Carry important medicines and travel insurance. This guide will make your journey enjoyable and easier.