Chardham is an important Hindu pilgrimage circuit in the Indian Himalayas. Located in the Garhwal region of the state of Uttarakhand, the circuit consists of four sites - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Chardham Yatra Package covers Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Barkot, Harsil, Guptkashi, Joshimath and Pauri. Below is brief tour itinerary of this yatra package:
Char Dham is essentially located at the end of four separate routes that reach far into the heights of the majestic Garhwal Himalayas at a very high altitude! One of the most accessible yatras in India is also one of the most arduous, in spite of the long line of vehicles cuddling their way up the roads hewn into the hilly area. Rivers are holy in India and the word for pilgrimage in Sanskrit, `Teerth’, refers to crossing a river’. The Char Dham Yatra season extends from May through November. Tour packages for a round trip of the four dhams may be undertaken in a taxi or a bus. The nearest airport for this pilgrimage is Dehradun.
Overview:
- Airfare
- Daily Breakfast
- Sight Seeing Tour
- All transfer & sightseeing by Ac Car
- Arrival assistance
- Service of an English speaking driver, Parking
Day: 1
Arrival and check in at the place of accommodation and thence the journey begins! On the way to Yamunotri, traditionally the first Char Dham destination, the sacred Yamuna accompanies Yatris up to her source, through the spectacularly scenic Rawaai Ghati leaving the tourists somewhat breathless not just because of the altitude, but also that they become increasingly accustomed to the rare field atmosphere. Yamunotri is high up in a deep cleft on the western face of Bander Poonch Peak. The picturesque journey to Yamunotri is along the river Yamuna itself and the main temple here is dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna, represented in a black marble idol. Just outside the main temple is the Divya Shila, a dark rock from which springs a stream of hot water, and the most holy area, the origin of the Yamuna. Check into a ashram or guest house or Dharamshala for the night!
Day: 2
Start the day after breakfast! Technically the cold stream source of the river is on the Champasar glacier, near Saptarishi Kund, which is a tough trek above the Yamuna shrine. Pilgrims carry water from the Yamunotri to offer to Lord Krishna during Janmashtami. The temple when it closes in winter has its deity taken to the winter seat of Kharsali, a short distance from Janaki Chatti. The Yamuna Valley, called Rawai valley is spectacular and en route Barkot and Phul Chatti are is scenic halts. Aarti is held regularly on the premises. Overnight stay at the choice selected at Yamunotri.Day: 3
As the yatris leave early morning, they move towards Gangotri, the next dham which overlooks the tumultuous river Bhagirathi. Dancing down the glacial heights of the Uttarakhand Himalaya, this civilization defining river, reversed as a mother goddess, flows through the plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Bengal, before spreading out in a delta near the Bay of Bengal. Along its route lie great Indian cities: Rishikesh, Haridwar, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna and Kolkata. It is a source of water for irrigation, cooking and drinking, transportation, ritual purity and drunk as holy water or Ganga Jal. Hindus come to the Ganga from all over the country, to take a dip or submit their loved ones’ ashes to her.A number of rivers in the Garhwal Himalaya combine to form the Ganga and each spot where two such rivers meet is called the Prayag or Prayags and is beautiful places to spend the night. The temples by the confluence have a special sanctity, such as Devprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag and Rudraprayag. Spend a night at one of the Prayags!
Day: 4
Move on after breakfast in the morning! Guarded by the Bhagirathi, Trishul and Shivaling peaks, Harsil, a few kilometers north-west of Gangotri, is spectacular, where the great Himalayan Range can be experienced in all its glory, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, forests, peaks, green meadows and icy glaciers. The Bhagirathi Valley is amazingly green, and at Harsil the river opens out into a picture-perfect valley, with white sandy beaches, surrounded by orchards, pine forests and snowy mountains. There are plenty of good walks along the river and in the forests. Overnight stay at Harsil!
Day: 5
About a short distance away is Dharali Village, from where a trek brings you to Sattal, seven lakes set in beautiful surroundings. Take a day for this and spend the night at a convenient location!
Day: 6
Take some rest and then start your day! The Gangotri shrine overlooks the thundering river Bhagirathi and is set in the midst of a rugged mountain. The actual source of the river is the ice cave of Gaumukh, and near the temple is Bhagirath Shila, a stone slab and the Goddess Ganga is the main deity in the temple. A special shringar puja is performed on Ganga Saptami in Vaishakh (April), Jyeshtha (May), Janmashtami (Aug-Sep), Vijayadashami (Oct) and Diwali (Nov), considered special days! Regular aarti is performed every day in the morning and afternoon. Overnight stay at Gangotri!
Day: 7
Start after breakfast! Pilgrims generally take a bath at the hot springs at Gaurikund before proceeding for Kedarnath. Towards south-east of Kedarnath, towards Badrinath, is Ukhimath which has some very old temples. The deities of the Kedarnath are installed at this math when Kedarnath closes during winter.
Towards the south, there are temples of Ardhnarishwar and Vishwanathji. Pilgrims can spend a day in this area, and stay back for aarti in the afternoon. Overnight stay at a convenient location!
Day: 8
Kedarnath, is towards the northernmost Jyotirlinga the third stop in the Char Dham Yatra, after Yamunotri and Gangotri, located above sea level, close to the source of the Holy Mandakini! From Gaurikund, the road head , it is a trek northwards along the Mandakini, whence it is steep until Garur Chatti, after which the path levels out until you reach Kedarnath! Pilgrims offer silver plated bilva patras, available just outside the Kedarnath Temple and in Gaurikund, to the Lord. Holy water from Gangotri is also offered and Bhog is offered by the priests early evening. Aarti is performed every day in the temple! On the day the temple closes for winter, a special Samadhi Puja is held. Give yourself an early rest for the night!
Day: 9
Start in the morning! Before proceeding to Badrinath, pilgrims would be visiting Joshimath where the great sage Adi Shankaracharya gained enlightenment. They could visit the Garuda and Narsingh Temples, the Shankaracharya Math and the Amar kalp tree which is believed to be over 2,500 years old. Drive down to the hot springs at Tapovan for a bath. Overnight stay at a convenient location!
Day: 10
Against the backdrop of the Neelkanth Peak, nestled between the Nar and the Narayan mountains, by the banks of the river Alaknanda, lies Badrinath, The presiding deity is a meditating Lord Vishnu in black stone. Traditionally the yatra to Kedarnath is undertaken before coming to Badrinath. For the devotee who has been unable to do this, the temple of Adi Kedareshwar nearby is to be visited first.
The original Badrinath Temple built in the time of Adi Shankaracharya, has been rebuilt several times due to avalanches and snowfall. The five-day winter closing ceremony is an annual ritual. The temple doors are reopened at the onset of summer, when devotees come for the sacred Jyoti Darshan. Special pujas are performed by the Rawal, before the temple is opened to the public. Regular aarti is performed at the temple! Overnight stay at Badrinath!
Day: 11
Start in the morning after breakfast! Close by, the tourists take a visit to Auli for a halt, which commands excellent views of the surrounding peaks as the air is cold, fresh and scented with pine and the skies are azure blue. A cable car ropeway traverses from Joshimath, transporting them over the tops of oak and fir trees to Auli. When they ski down the slopes, the baby slopes have a ski lift, and the Advanced slopes have a chair lift to haul them to the top. Spend the day relaxing here on your return trip and have an overnight stay!
Day: 12
Move around a bit in the morning as unlike other winter resorts, which offer tobogganing and sledding, there is only ski, ski and ski here, though travellers would be scintillated to watch those magical moments, like the dawn breaking behind Nanda Devi, watching the sky open up its bounty at night, and the snowflakes floating gently, soundlessly to earth, Auli can be balm to a city-wearied heart! After spending some time at leisure and for pleasure, get ready to return back to your place of residence!
For shopping, being a pilgrimage, tourists would find small souvenirs, idols of deities and religious articles! Of course, plastic bottles are sold for carrying Gangajal on all the four Dhams!
For food, the accommodation package has a variety to offer for daily meals, containing traditional vegetarian fare, thalis and a-la-carte We are offering special price for this holiday package today!