The Chardham Yatra is one of the most important pilgrimage tours in India that can be attained in lap of Himalayas, Uttarakhand. It is a spiritual journey that takes visitors to four sacred religious sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. It is believed that visiting these four sites will help a person attain Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The tour circuit is open from April to November, and visitors can choose to travel by road or by helicopter.
The tour circuit starts from Yamunotri, which is in the western region of Uttarakhand. It is believed to be the source of the Yamuna River and is home to the Yamunotri Temple. The next stop is Gangotri, which is in the northern part of the state. It is the source of the Ganges River and is home to the Gangotri Temple.
The third stop on the tour circuit is Kedarnath, which is in the Himalayas. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The last stop on the tour circuit is Badrinath, which is in the northern part of the state. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
A Detailed Guide of Chardham Yatra from Haridwar
Begin the yatra from Haridwar: Haridwar is the gateway to the Chardham circuit and is one of the seven holiest places in Hinduism. The city is located on the banks of the Ganges River and is home to several temples and ghats. The Har Ki Pauri ghat is a must-visit, especially during the Ganga Aarti. The first step is to reach Haridwar, which is well-connected by road, rail, and air. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is around 35 km from Haridwar. From Haridwar, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the first destination, Yamunotri.
Visit Yamunotri: Yamunotri is the first stop on the Chardham circuit, and it is around 220 km from Haridwar. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, and the journey to the temple is considered to be a difficult one. You have to trek for around 5 km from the nearest road point to reach the temple.
Proceed to Gangotri: After visiting Yamunotri, the next destination is Gangotri, which is around 260 km from Yamunotri. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, and it is located at an altitude of 3,048 meters above sea level. The journey to Gangotri is a scenic one, and you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Himalayas.
Visit Kedarnath: Kedarnath is the third destination on the Chardham circuit, and it is around 250 km from Gangotri. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is located at an altitude of 3,583 meters above sea level. You can reach Kedarnath by trekking for around 16 km from Gaurikund or by taking a helicopter.
Visit Badrinath: Badrinath is the last stop on the Chardham circuit, and it is around 240 km from Kedarnath. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and it is located at an altitude of 3,133 meters above sea level. The journey to Badrinath is a beautiful one, and you can enjoy the views of the mountains and the rivers.
Return to Haridwar: After visiting Badrinath, you can return to Haridwar, which is around 320 km from Badrinath. You can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Haridwar, and from there, you can continue your journey to other parts of India. For a comfortable yatra, bus rental in Delhi is appropriate to travel with small or big group of peers. These services of bus rental Chardham begins from a fixed location near your home or desired pick up location and head to Haridwar to proceed further for the journey.
