Chota Chardham of Uttarakhand

Among these pilgrimages Yamunotri is the first holy spot which is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna then devotees pay their homage at Gangotri which is the holy abode of Goddess Ganga, Kedarnath is known as the prime destination of Shiva worshippers as the shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Badrinath which is the last pilgrimage of this divine Yatra is dedicated to Lord Badri (Vishnu). It is believed that all four holy abodes are discovered by the great Hindu philosopher Adi Shankaracharya during the 8th century. Covering all these stretches of Uttarakhand requires a total of 10-11 days. It has been recorded that more than a million devotees cover this pious Yatra every year and Chota Char Dham has become as famous that now the visitors include a good number of foreign tourists.

The picturesque landscapes, high altitude location, dense and lush green valleys, and splendid environment of the region leaves the tourists to spellbound with serenity and tranquillity along with spirituality lingering everywhere in the atmosphere. Due to the insane location of these shrines, they are opened only for a half year and are closed for the rest of the months. The regions in which these shrines are located receive heavy rainfall and the entire region gets covered with snow blanket. It becomes quite difficult to access these pilgrimages and so in the winter season, the shrines are closed and get opened with the commencement of summer season.

Nestled beautifully in the Himalayan ranges of the northern state of India, Char Dham Yatra encompasses four prime holy destinations. Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath collectively form the Chota Char Dham circuit in Uttarakhand. These four sacred temples are located in four different directions of the state and are devoted to different gods and goddesses. Among these pilgrimages Yamunotri is the first holy spot which is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna then devotees pay their homage at Gangotri which is the holy abode of Goddess Ganga, Kedarnath is known as the prime destination of Shiva worshippers as the shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Badrinath which is the last pilgrimage of this divine Yatra is dedicated to Lord Badri (Vishnu). It is believed that all four holy abodes are discovered by the great Hindu philosopher Adi Shankaracharya during the 8th century. Covering all these stretches of Uttarakhand requires a total of 10-11 days. It has been recorded that more than a million devotees cover this pious Yatra every year and Chota Char Dham has become as famous that now the visitors include a good number of foreign tourists.

The picturesque landscapes, high altitude location, dense and lush green valleys, and splendid environment of the region leaves the tourists to spellbound with serenity and tranquillity along with spirituality lingering everywhere in the atmosphere. Due to the insane location of these shrines, they are opened only for a half year and are closed for the rest of the months. The regions in which these shrines are located receive heavy rainfall and the entire region gets covered with snow blanket. It becomes quite difficult to access these pilgrimages and so in the winter season, the shrines are closed and get opened with the commencement of summer season.

Importance of Chardham Sites

Kedarnath: It is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas located in India and is also the most prominent destinations of Panch Kedars.

Badrinath: The most prime destination of Vishnu worshippers and it is believed that this is the place where Adi Shankaracharya attained freedom from incarnation.

Yamunotri: Originating place of River Yamuna.

Gangotri: Originating place of River Ganga.

Opening and Closing

The opening and closing dates of these shrines vary according to the weather and the condition of the roads. With the onset of the winter season, the pilgrimages get closed with a grand celebration participated by numerous devotees. When the temple gets closed the idol of these shrines are also shifted to other places so that devotees can pay homage and seek the blessings of gods and goddesses. The idol of Kedarnath temple is shifted to Ukhimath and Joshimath is called as the winter abode of Badrinath Temple. The idols of Gangotri and Yamunotri are shifted to Mukhba and Kharsali village when the shrines are closed. This year the shrines are getting opened on the below-mentioned dates.

Char Dham Route Map

Yamunotri – Gangotri – Kedarnath – Badrinath

The pious Yatra begins with Yamunotri which is the originating place of River Yamuna and then the devotees proceed to the next pilgrimage where they pay homage to River Ganga at Gangotri then Kedarnath and at last to the holy shrine of Lord Vishnu. All the pilgrimages are well connected with each other and so it is quite simple and easy to complete the Yatra.

Driving Direction

Delhi – Haridwar – Barkot – Yamunotri – Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Guptakashi – Kedarnath – Badrinath – Rishikesh and then back to Delhi.

Route Map of Yamunotri Dham

Located at the westernmost of the Garhwal Region, Yamunotri holds a great significance in Hinduism as it is the originating place of River Yamuna. It is also famous for housing Janki Chatti which is a natural thermal spring.

Traveling Direction

Delhi – Rishikesh (231 km) then Rishikesh – Narendranagar (16 km) then Narendranagar – Chama (46 km), Chamba – Brahmkhal ( 15 km), Brahmkhal – Barkot (40 km), Barkot – Syanachatti ( 27 km), Syanachatti – Hanuman Chatti (6 km), Hanuman Chatti – Phool Chatti (5 km), Phool Chatti – Janki Chatti (3 km), Janki Chatti – Yamunotri (6 km).

Route Map of Gangotri Dham

Seated at an altitude of 3200 meters above the sea level, Gangotri is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. This is the originating place of River Ganga where Ganga flows purely and peacefully.

Driving Directions

Delhi – Rishikesh (231 km), Rishikesh – Tehri (75 km), Tehri – Uttarkashi (117 km), Uttarkashi – Bhatwari (31 km), Bhatwari – Gangnani (15 km), Gangnani – Harsil (27 km), Harsil – Gangotri (25 km).

Route Map of Kedarnath Dham

Seated at an elevation of 3584 meters above the sea level, Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The pilgrimage is heavily crowded with devotees every year. It is quite easy to reach Kedarnath as the route is quite well in condition.

Traveling Destination

Delhi – Rishikesh (231 km), Rishikesh – Devprayag (74 km), Devprayag – Srinagar (35 km), Srinagar –  Rudraprayag (33 km), Rudraprayag – Tilwara (9 km), Tilwara – Agastamuni (10 km), Agastamuni – Kund (15 km), Kund – Guptkashi (5 km), Guptkashi – Phata (11 km), Phata – Rampur ( 9 km), Rampur – Sonprayag (3 km), Sonprayag – Gaurikund ( 5 km).

After the devastating flood of 2013, a new route has been established to reach Kedarnath

Gaurikund – Rambara Bridge (7 km), Rambar Bridge – Lincholi (5 km), Lincholi – Kedarnath (4 km).

Route Map of Badrinath Dham

Elevated at 3133 meters above the sea level, Badrinath shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that this was the meditating place of Lord Vishnu.

Traveling Direction

Delhi – Haridwar (206 km), Haridwar – Rishikesh (24 km), Rishikesh – Devprayag (74 km), Devprayag – Srinagar (34 km), Srinagar – Rudraprayag (33 km), Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag (31 km), Karnaprayag – Nandaprayag (21 km), Nandaprayag – Chamoli (10 km), Chamoli – Joshimath (48 km), Joshimath – Badrinath (42 km).

Why Weather Update Is Important?

All four holy abodes of Char Dham Yatra are located on extreme altitudes and experience different and inconsistent climatic conditions. Devotees need to trek a certain distance to reach the pilgrimage which is somewhere difficult to be covered. Being located on high altitudes, the regions experience harsh climatic conditions including heavy rainfalls, snowfalls, landslides, and cloudbursts and hinder the divine journey. The roads become inaccessible during these certain situations and are vulnerable to be travelled. We can also find drastic changes and fluctuations in the temperature, this is why we need to be well updated with the weather of Char Dham Yatra on a regular basis.

Chardham Weather Guide 2019

The article enlists the individual weather guide of either of the Char Dham shrines.

Yamunotri

The temple gets opened with the commencement of summer season which is the best season to visit the Dhams. The temperature ranges between 6 degree Celsius and 20 degree Celsius. The days are quite pleasing but at night you experience cool weather and so need to carry ample Woolen clothes to stay warm.

From June to August (monsoon season) the region receives heavy rainfall and the roads become muddy and slippery and become difficult to access. Hence, it is not advisable to cover this divine Yatra in monsoon season.

During the winter season, the temple gets closed as the roads get blocked due to heavy snowfall.

The extreme location of these pilgrimages doesn’t allow devotees to cover this divine journey all throughout the year. The Yatra comprises of the spiritual visit to all the peaceful and enchanting pilgrimages seated in the Garhwal Himalayan Ranges. Kedarnath-the holy shrine of Lord Shiva, Badrinath- the holy abode of Lord Vishnu, Gangotri and Yamunotri –the originating places of the two holiest rivers in India collectively constitute the Char Dham circuit. Tourists covering this divine Yatra not only experiences spiritualism but also deep serenity and tranquillity spread in the ambiance of these regions and can also witness the rich cultures of the state.

Why Weather Update Is Important?

All four holy abodes of Char Dham Yatra are located on extreme altitudes and experience different and inconsistent climatic conditions. Devotees need to trek a certain distance to reach the pilgrimage which is somewhere difficult to be covered. Being located on high altitudes, the regions experience harsh climatic conditions including heavy rainfalls, snowfalls, landslides, and cloudbursts and hinder the divine journey. The roads become inaccessible during these certain situations and are vulnerable to be travelled. We can also find drastic changes and fluctuations in the temperature, this is why we need to be well updated with the weather of Char Dham Yatra on a regular basis.

Chardham Weather Guide 2019

The article enlists the individual weather guide of either of the Char Dham shrines.

Yamunotri

The temple gets opened with the commencement of summer season which is the best season to visit the Dhams. The temperature ranges between 6 degree Celsius and 20 degree Celsius. The days are quite pleasing but at night you experience cool weather and so need to carry ample Woolen clothes to stay warm.

From June to August (monsoon season) the region receives heavy rainfall and the roads become muddy and slippery and become difficult to access. Hence, it is not advisable to cover this divine Yatra in monsoon season.

During the winter season, the temple gets closed as the roads get blocked due to heavy snowfall.

Best Time to Visit: last week of April till the second week of November.

Gangotri

The region welcomes summer season at the end of April or in the first week of May. If you are visiting the shrines during this time then you will experience the pleasing weather as the maximum temperature lies at 25 degree Celsius. This is the time when the temple gets opened and is considered to be the most ideal time.

Monsoon months from July to September witness heavy rainfall and landslide and make it difficult to reach the holy abode of Goddess Ganga.

With the onset of the winter season, the region witnesses heavy snowfall and make the region freezing cold. The thick blanket of snow makes the Yatra difficult to be accessed and even the temple gets closed.

Best Time to Visit: April to November (2nd week).

Kedarnath

Kedarnath in summer is quite pleasing and favourable to visit when the temperature ranges around 17 degree Celsius.

In monsoon, the region is prone to landslides and cloudburst so it is not much recommended to plan your Char Dham Yatra during monsoon.

The temperature reaches up to sub-zero level during the winter season resulting in monkey brass weather. The entire area gets covered with snow and so this is not the recommended time to visit Char Dham in Uttarakhand.

Best Time to Visit: May, June, September, and October.

Badrinath

May to November is considered as the best time to visit Badrinath when the temperature and the climatic conditions are favourable. September and October are said to be the best months to plan your visit.

During monsoon season the temperature drops down to 15 degree Celsius and the region is prone to disastrous landslides and cloudburst due to heavy rainfalls.

During winter season Badrinath is closed as the entire region gets covered with a white blanket. The temperature sometimes goes below zero degree Celsius and make the area chilly cold.

Best Time to Visit: May, June, September, and October.

• The pilgrimages are opened for half of the year only. So, it is highly recommended to check the opening and closing dates of the Dhams in advance.
• It is known to everyone that one needs to walk and trek quite a few distances to reach the pilgrimages. So, start doing exercises and go for at least 4-5 km distance per day to keep yourself practiced for the trek. Breathing exercises must be a part of your exercise as at high altitudes we face the problem of breathing.
• Start avoiding water of all the places and try to consume only boiled or water from a clean natural source.
• Avoid taking raw or cold food as it can make you fall ill. So, going for fresh, cooked, boiled, and fried food items are the better options.
• Precaution is better than cure so carry mosquito or insect repellent to keep yourself away from diseases like Malaria.
• Do not forget to carry the first aid kit with you as accidents never warn you before coming. Your kit must include medications for a common illness like fever, cold, and cough and also equip your kit with an antiseptic lotion.
• At altitudes, we come in contact with direct sunlight and get affected by sunburn. So, carry a sunscreen lotion with you and apply it frequently if you are out in the sun.
• Do pack woolens with you to keep yourself warm in the cold weather of the regions.
• If you are a photogenic person and want to collect the beautiful memories of the destinations then do carry extra films and batteries for your camera as you will have to face the electricity problem in the remote areas.
• Do not hurt the sentiments of the region by doing those things which are prohibited for example at some places, clicking pictures is not allowed and consuming alcohol or non-vegetarian foods is not allowed on Char Dham Yatra.
• Women are advised to carry trousers or Suit to keep them well-organized on the entire journey.
• You can find numerous porters asking to carry your luggage but be wise in this situation and select only a registered ponywala or porter and keep your eyes on your luggage to avoid any mishappening.
• If you are on a group tour then do carry a slip on your name, name of your companions, and address must be written.
• We agree that self-managed trips are economical but still, it is recommended to seek the help of a registered and trusted travel agency for organizing a hassle-free journey.
• We agree that self-managed trips are economical but still, it is recommended to seek the help of a registered and trusted travel agency for organizing a hassle-free journey.