A land known as Devbhoomi (“The Land of the Gods”), Uttarakhand is a state that attracts tourists and pilgrims throughout the year. With its sheer number of temples and picturesque locales, the state sees lakhs of people visiting it during the Char Dham season. While some visit Uttarakhand for spiritual rejuvenation, others love the adventure and natural beauty that the journey offers. The yatra itself is a significant religious event for Hindus. So, are you too ready to take the plunge? Before you book a Char Dham yatra package for yourself, let’s find out a bit more about these four sacred sites.
History of Char Dham
It was 8th century Indian scholar and Vedic philosopher Adi Shakaracharya who established the four “mathas”, corresponding to the four Char Dhams (holy sites), namely Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram. Over the years, these sites came to be known as the Bada Char Dham (“the big four holy sites”). Later, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri emerged as the Chota Char Dham (“the small four holy sites”). Here’s a deeper look at the four spiritual destinations on your Char Dham yatra map:
Yamunotri
Known as the source of the Yamuna River (India’s second-holiest river), the Yamunotri Dham is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, who’s the sister of Yama (the God of Death) and the daughter of Surya (the Sun God). Located at an altitude of 3,293 metres, Yamunotri is home to the Janki Chatti hot spring. Char Dham yatra tour packages are incomplete without a holy dip in the Yamuna, which helps pilgrims cleanse themselves of their sins.
Gangotri
Located at a height of 3,100 metres, Gangotri is a holy site beside Bhagirathi River – the source stream of the Ganges, or the Ganga, India’s holiest river. The Gangotri Temple was apparently built by Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa. The temple was restored in the 19th century. Every year, the temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya and closes by Diwali.
Kedarnath
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath Dham is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located at an altitude of 3,583 metres. Legend has it that this is where Shiva had absolved the Pandavas from their sins of killing their cousins (the Kauravas) in the Mahabharata. It is a part of the Pancha Kedar, or the series of five temples built by the Pandavas in the Garhwal region. Sanctified by Adi Shankaracharya later, the temple was rebuilt after the devastating floods of 2013
Badrinath
One of the 108 “Divya Desams” (Vishnu temples) mentioned in the works of Vaishnavite poets, Badrinath Dham is located at an altitude of 3,300 metres. According to Hindu mythology, this is where Lord Vishnu had sat in penance, while Goddess Lakshmi protected him from the harsh weather by transforming into a berry (“badri” in Sanskrit) tree. Nestled amidst the Himalayas, Badrinath has the mighty Alakananda River flowing beside it.
The Char Dham Yatra Season: When to Visit
The four sites in your Char Dham package are accessible from the end of April or the beginning of May to the end of October or the beginning of November. For the rest of the year, the deities of all four Dhams are moved to their winder abodes. So, the Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri deities are shifted to Ukhimath, Pandukeshwar, Kharsali and Mukhba respectively.
Though the Char Dham sites remain accessible during the monsoon months (July-September), it is recommended that tourists avoid the monsoons, as floods and landslides are quite common in this season.
Plan Your Journey: How to Reach
All Char Dham yatra packages begin with a concrete itinerary and a plan to reach the sacred sites. Once you’ve completed your Char Dham Yatra registration, it’s time for you to choose whether to travel by road, rail or air (helicopter), depending on your budget and requirements.
Char Dham Yatra by Road and Rail
While Haridwar is the nearest rail station to the four sacred sites, there are cab services to the Char Dham sites from Haridwar, Dehradun and Rishikesh. Major cities such as Delhi are well-connected to Haridwar by road and rail.
Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter
Helicopter shuttle tickets to the Char Dham sites can be easily booked online. While Dehradun’s Jolly Grant International Airport is the nearest to the Char Dham sites, Dehradun also offers helicopter services from the Sahastradhara helipad. The helipad nearest to Yamunotri is in Kharsali, while the one in Harsil is closest to Gangotri. Pilgrims can access helicopters to Kedarnath from Phata, Guptakashi and Sersi too. Badrinath too has a helipad. So, booking Char Dham yatra tour packages with helicopter rides is super easy now!
Accommodation Options: Where to Stay
Char Dham packages often include customised stay options. Some such accommodation variants are:
- Low-budget dharamshalas, homestays and guest houses
- Mid-range hotels with basic amenities such as hot water and power backup
- Luxury and semi-luxury eco huts, hotels and cottages
The Delicacies of Uttarakhand: What to Eat
Any Char Dham yatra package is incomplete without the local delicacies of Uttarakhand. Here are some local cuisines you must try on your trip to the state:
- Aloo ke Gutke: A dish made of potatoes, mustard seeds and spices
- Bhang ki Chutney: A tangy chutney made of hemp seeds (bhang)
- Chainsoo: A lentil curry made of black gram (urad dal)
- Kafuli: A curry made of spinach and fenugreek
- Jhangora ki Kheer: A sweet dish made of millets
- Mandua Roti: A flatbread made of millets and served with ghee
- Dubuk: A lentil curry made of black soybean or pigeon pea
- Singori: A leaf-wrapped Kumaoni sweet made of khoya
- Arsa: A sweet made of rice flour and mustard oil
- Gahat ki Dal: A lentil soup with medicinal properties
Final Thoughts
There are countless Char Dham Yatra packages available these days, but you need to choose one that suits your needs. Whether you choose to go for a Char Dham yatra by helicopter or by road, you must ensure the package follows all safety precautions. Make sure you carry all essentials too, such as trek boots, woollens, torches, personal medicines and toiletries. Let’s hope your journey to the sacred sites is fruitful!
