Complete Guide Of Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand 2019

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What Is Chardham and what is its significance?

Chardham of Uttarakhand includes the four sanctified shrines which are nestled in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The four shrines are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath. Chardham Yatra always starts from Yamunotri, and then Gangotri, next is Kedarnath and yatra ends at Badrinath. Chardham yatra has great significance for Hindu devotees, as per Hindu Mythology, it is believed that every Hindu should visit these shrines in order to get devoid of their sins & to attain salvation. Every year thousands of pilgrims come here to pay their obeisance.

What is the Best time to visit the Chardham:

Generally, the Chardham remains open for 06 months from April/May - October/Nov, every year the opening & closing dates are announced. Best time to visit the Chardham is from May – June and Oct – Nov. Heavy rainfall during monsoon causes frequent landslides & road blockages so better to avoid planning at that time. All four Shrines remain inaccessible during winters due to heavy snowfall thus during that period the idols of Chardham deities are brought down to nearby accessible town i.e. Ukhimath for Kedarnath, Joshimath for Badrinath, Mukhba for Gangotri and Kharsali for Yamunotri. Daily rituals for deities are performed at these respective places. These revered places are famous by the name Winter Chardham among devotees.

How should I go to Chardham Yatra:

Chardham Yatra customarily starts from Haridwar or from Delhi. Nearest airport to Haridwar is Jolly grand airport which has good connectivity of flight from Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Cochin. Train is also a good option to reach Haridwar. Private car can be hired from Haridwar or Delhi for Chardham Yatra. Else, helicopter services are also available for all the Dhams and which also gives the advantage to do yatra at shortest time phase of 2 days. Helicopter packages for Chardham are also readily available.

What are the places we can visit during Chardham?

Apart from all four Dhams, you will cover Panch Prayag (Devprayag. Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag, and Vishnuprayag). If you can add 0-2 more days then you can do Auli and Chopta also.

What is the best way to do Chardham Yatra?

After reaching Haridwar railway station or Dehradun airport, you can hire the private car for Chardham Yatra or Helicopter services for Chardham Yatra is also available which starts from Dehradun.

What are some tips to enjoy Chardham Yatra?

• Plan and confirm all the arrangements beforehand, is the key for hassle-free Chardham Yatra. At least, confirm all the services like hotels, transport, and helicopter ticket for Kedarnath, 30-45 days prior to travel dates. Since later the availability of the services becomes a big concern for devotees.

• Plan your Yatra during these months- May, June, Oct, Nov; it is the best time to travel on this route. 

• At Chardham yatra route, almost all the hotels are basic but they have maintained the proper hygiene and all basic amenities are readily available. So, do not compare these hotels with any star category, it will let you with complete disappointment.

• Do include 02 exotic locations Chopta and Auli in your Chardham Yatra tour, both are en route destination can be easily covered.

Narrate your travel experience?

• Chardham Yatra is one of must-to-do tour not only for its high religious importance but also for its unparalleled natural beauty. But there are certain myths associated with yatra i.e. bad road condition, landslide-prone area, hotels, accessibility, etc.

• There is a well laid national highway till Badrinath which ends at Mana village, other three dhams (Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Kedarnath) are well connected by state highways. It is a lifetime experience of cruising on the highest motor-able road of Mana pass or driving on serpent-like highways with magnificent backdrop framed of snow covered mountains.

• Only 01 stretch of Lambagad is landslide prone area which is 18 Km before Badrinath which is regularly monitored by concern authorities during Chardham yatra season. Yes during monsoon, yatra becomes tricky else it is manageable.

• Hotels are basic but well maintained and equipped with all basic amenities. Services are good and hotels serve mouth-watering cuisine – regional, Indian, South Indian.

• All the Dhams are easily accessible by drive except Yamunotri where 06 Km trek (one way) is required and 18 Km trek for Kedarnath. But there are various options available like a pony, palanquins, and helicopter services for Kedarnath.