Chardham is a religious pilgrimage circuit in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is considered as one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. The circuit comprises four holy temples – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. These four temples are located in the Himalayas and are believed to be the abodes of Gods and Goddesses.
Chardham Yatra is considered a journey of a lifetime for Hindus. It is believed that by undertaking this pilgrimage, one can attain salvation and get rid of their sins. The journey is not an easy one and requires a lot of physical and mental strength. However, the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas and the spiritual experience make it a journey worth taking.
Thousands of pilgrims undertake this journey every year during the pilgrimage season which starts in April/May and ends in October/November. The government of Uttarakhand takes great care to ensure the safety and comfort of the pilgrims during their journey. Medical facilities, accommodations, transportation and other facilities are provided to make the journey as smooth as possible.
Uttarakhand is mostly popular for its tourist places, sacred, ancient temples, and spiritual places where every year tourists and seekers come here to find their purpose in life and escape from the hassle of life in cities. It is also called Devbhoomi which means “Land of Gods” because it’s believed that 33 Koti deities are residing here according to Hindu Puranas. It is also stated in Puranas and by saints of the Hindu theology that the journey to the pilgrimage of Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand is considered one of the most sacred yatra(expeditions) in India.
Here is the detailed guide to Chardham Yatra in 2023
What is Chardham Yatra and Why is it so popular?
Char Dham Yatra means calling the 4 holy temples located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. According to Hinduism the Char Dham Yatra (pilgrimage) or teerth yatra is one of the duties of every Hindu individual in life.
Chardham Yatra, What is Chardham yatraChardham Yatra, What is Chardham Yatra
The four temples are named as-
- Yamunotri Dham,
- Gangotri Dham,
- Kedarnath Dham,
- Badrinath Dham.
So Devotees and Individuals start their first step after submersion in the Ganga river from Rishikesh/Haridwar to Yamunotri. It is the first temple to visit them after Gangotri Dham, then the third is Kedarnath, and at last, Badrinath Dham.
How to go to Chardham Yatra From Haridwar?
If you are thinking about visiting Chardham this summer, you can begin the pilgrimage from Haridwar and it’s the right way to start your journey.
Every year in Uttarakhand, This yatra starts in May and lasts till November. This year in 2022 the yatra will start on 3rd May.
The Opening And Closing Dates of Chardham Yatra in 2024( Tentative)
- Yamunotri Dham- The opening date of Yamunotri Dham is 22 April 2023 and the closing date of 29th October 2023.
- Gangotri Dham- The opening date of Gangotri Dham is 22 April 2023 and the closing date is 27th October 2023.
- Kedarnath opening date 2023- The Kedarnath opening date is 25 April 2023 and the closing date is 29th October 2023.
- Badrinath Dham- The Badrinath opening date is 27th April 2023 and the closing date is 9 November 2023.
It might take 6-10 days to complete this journey according to your itinerary pack and physical capability. Buses are available for this yatra but of a heavy rush in the season, it will take more time to book your seats. If you are a family person it might bother you.
So you can book cabs cars, and tempo travellers online or book your 4 Dham yatra package from a reputed travel company or agency.
You can complete this trip one by one by bus if you are an individual seeker or solo traveller. If you want Char Dham Yatra in a group or family, you can take a tour package.
Taking a tour package for Chardham Places is the best option for groups or families in which your commute, food, and hotel stay will be included in the tour package. When you reach Haridwar, many travel agencies conduct the Chardham yatra. These travel packages are also available online.
How to Register for Chardham Yatra in 2024?
Online registration for the temples can be done on the official website of Chardham
Here are 7 steps to follow to register for Char Dham Yatra 2022
- Step 1: Go to the link below to the official website of Tourist Care Of Uttarakhand
- Step 2:
- Then click on the register/login button a new page opens on your screen.
- Step 3:
- Then fill in the required details on the form
- Then click the signup option
- Note: Remember your email ID and password to log in again to confirm your booking
- Step 4:
- Then log in to your account.
- Then a new page opens on your screen, click add manage/pilgrim or Tourist option-
- Step 5:
- Add new tour-fill required detail-click save
- Step 6:
- A new page opens on your screen again
- Click on add pilgrim-fill required details
- Step 7:
- Upload the required document.-click on the finish option.
- Your registration will be completed and you can download the pdf of the registration.
Or you can download the official app of Chardham Yatra and apply the same method above.
Related article- 5 Unforgettable Uttarakhand Tourist Places To Visit In 2022
Which is the best time to visit Chardham?
Char Dham Yatra continues for about 6 months( May to October). You can visit Chardham anytime between these 6 months. May and June are the best time to visit Char Dham and there is a heavy rush of seekers around the country and the world. The weather has been very nice in these 2 months and this time is very suitable for old age people also.
Average temperature: 22-25℃
It is a little challenging to travel in the rainy season(July- August) due to heavy rainfall.
Few things to keep with yourself when you start your Char Dham Journey
- Photo identity proof
- E-pass
- Camera
- Mobile Charger, Power Bank, Torch
- RTPCR Negative report
- First Aid Box- Keep all kinds of medicines in it which will be very useful. You can take some medicine like Pain killer, Moove, Glucose, ORS, Disprin, and other tablets.
- Woolen Cloth- which helps keep warm in Dham.
- Raincoat, Umbrella
- Water Bottle
- Dry Fruits, Snack
- Trekking Shoes
Chardham Roadmap
The best site and right way to start Char Dham is from Dehradun, so you have to arrive at Dehradun by train or by air at Jolly Grant Airport. And if possible go to Rishikesh/Haridwar by local buses or cab to dive into the Ganges, then start your pilgrimage yatra to Yamunotri, then to Gangotri and Kedarnath, and at last, you have to visit Badrinath. You can start this journey by bus, personal car, taxi, or cab.
Route distance from Rishikesh to Yamunotri – 244km
- Rishikesh to Narendra Nagar- 21Km
- Narendra Nagar to Chamba- 44km
- Chamba to Kandikhal- 24km
- Kandikhal to Barkot -112km
- Barkot to Janki Chatti- 45km
- Janki Chatti to By trekking 7 km you reach Yamunotri Dham
Places to visit near Yamunotri Dham
- Surya Kund
- Divya Shila
- Hanuman Chatti
- Kharsali
- Saptrishi Kund
- Garud Kund
Route distance from Yamunotri to Gangotri is 227km:
- Yamunotri to Janki Chatti by trekking – 7km
- Janki Chatti to Kuthnaur- 26.2km
- Kuthanur to Barkot -19km
- Barkot to Uttarkashi -83 km
- Uttarkashi to Bhatwari -31.4km
- Bhatwari to Gangnani -15.7km
- Gangnani to Harshil -31.5km
After 25km from Harsil, you will reach Gangotri Dham. If you want to go to Gomukh, you can go after 18 km by trek Gangotri Gomukh.
Near places to visit Gangotri:
- Bhojvasa
- Gangnani
- Gomukh
- Bhaironghati
- Jalmagna Shivling
- Tapovan
Route distance from Gangotri to Kedarnath is 402km:
Chardham Yatra, Kedarnath opening date 2022Chardham Yatra, Kedarnath opening date 2022source-@kedarnath_dham_
- Gangotri to Harshil-26km
- Harshil to Ragri-141km
- Ragri to Mayali -73km
- Mayali to Tilwara -19km
- Tilwara to Chandrapuri -15km
- Chandrapuri ot Guptkashi then Fata -14km
- Fata to Sonprayag -16km
After coming to Phata you can also go to your Chardham yatra by helicopter. Sonprayag to Gaurikund is 5km by road and then a trek is required to go from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. The total distance of the trek is 18 km. If you can bear helicopters, private Helicopters are available from Fata which you can reach directly to Kedarnath Dham.
If you want to go by road then your trek starts from Gaurikund – Kedarnath Dham. Kandi and the Poni will be available for visitors from Gaurikund. (you can rest for 10 -15 minutes at these stops – Jungle Chatti (4km from Gaurikund) then Bhimbal (3km) then Lincholi 4km then Kedarnath Base camp 4km at last after 1 km you reach Kedarnath Dham.
Places to visit near Kedarnath
- Gandhi Sarovar
- Phata
- Sonprayag
- Triyugi Narayan Temple
- Chandrapur
- Kalimath
- Chorabari Glacier
- Shankaracharya Samadhi
- Gaurikund
- Vasuki Tal
Route distance from Kedarnath to Badrinath is 218km
Chardham Yatra, Which is the best time to visit Chardham?Chardham Yatra, Which is the best time to visit Chardham?source- @badrinath_ji
You have to come by 18 km hike/ from Kedarnath to Gaurikund, then to Sonprayag(5km) by local taxis.
- Sonprayag to Guptkashi -30km
- Guptkashi to kalimath-13km
- Kalimath to Ukhimath- 21km
- Ukhimath to Gopeshwar- 69km
- Gopeshwar to Pipalkoti- 25km
- Pipalkoti to Joshimath- 36km
- At last Joshimath to Badrinath is 44km by road.
Mana village is known as the ‘last village in India’ which is 5 km from Badrinath and is the very beautiful and remotest place in Uttarakhand.
Nearest places to visit in Badrinath
- Pandukeshwar
- Yogdhyaan Badri Temple
- Mana Village
- Satopanth Lake
- Tapt Kund
- Neelkanth Peak
- Charan Paduka
- Mata Murti temple
- Narad Kund
- Bheem Pul
- Ganesha Cave
- Sheshnetra
- Vyas Cave
- Saraswati River origin