Ultimate Guide for Chardham Yatra 2022

Uttarakhand, the Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods), is home to several pilgrimage sites, holy temples, and holy sites that draw millions of spiritual seekers. The Chardham Yatra’s four Dhams in the Garhwal region are the sacred locations in India: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The Hindu tradition considers all of these areas to be very sacred. Further, every Hindu’s ultimate goal is to attain salvation (Moksha) by visiting the holy sites at least once in their lifetime.

Chardham Yatra is renowned for its profound spirituality and captivating beauty, which allows you to enjoy a moment of solitude in the snow-covered Himalayas. The trek is arduous; however, the reward is a breathtaking view of spirituality that makes it worthwhile to attempt once in a lifetime. This Chardham Yatra guide will help you plan your Yatra.

So let’s start!

About The Chardham Yatra Travel Circuit

Generally, the Chardham yatra is performed from west to east; hence, the Yatra begins in Yamunotri, then continues to Gangotri, followed by Kedarnath, and finally Badrinath. People usually complete the Yatra by road, helicopter, or train.

Chardham Yatra Registration

All pilgrims are required to register for the Chardham Yatra; upon registration, you will get a Biometric Registration Card (Yatra Pass/Permit). So it is necessary to carry this card when touring the Dhams. Furthermore, this card will assist the government in tracking the movement of visitors using a GPS Surveillance System.

Chardham Yatra By Helicopter

Chardham Yatra by helicopter by LIH Travels is perhaps the most practical and convenient method to visit the four Uttarakhand temples. Furthermore, it is the most convenient and safe way to go to Chardham Yatra with several facilities.

Only Badrinath is conveniently easily reachable by road, and hence the routes of the other three pilgrimages are difficult. LIH Travels makes travel simple and efficient by offering helicopter services out of Dehradun’s Sahastradhara Road.

So to board the helicopter services, you first need to reach Uttarakhand’s capital, Dehradun. You can either book a flight, train, or reach by road to Dehradun and head to Sahastradhara Road and take a breathtaking helicopter to your destination.

The Best Time For Chardham Yatra

Each year, the holy Yatra begins in April or May and lasts till Diwali (October or November). Since the terrain remains snow-covered during the wintertime, the Yatra is kept closed. So May to June and September and October are the major months for the Yatra.

Furthermore, prevent travelling in July and August since the Garhwal area experiences severe rains that may often cause landslides throughout these months.

September is the best time to visit Chardham since the scenery is at its most beautiful after the rains, with gorgeous vistas and lush surroundings. Now, let’s have a brief on the four temples you will visit on your Yatra.

The Four Temples Of The Chardham Yatra

1. Yamunotri

Yamunotri, at an elevation of about 3,185 metres, is a sacred site of great religious significance for Hindus and is renowned for its hot springs and glaciers. A six kilometres trek from Janki Chatti will take you to the temple. Additionally, you can rent palanquins, horses, or ponies to reach the temple.

2. Gangotri

The shrine of Gangotri temple, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, is at an elevation of 3048 metres. Ganga’s source is the Gangotri glacier, which is 19 kilometres from Gangotri. The ancient temple and its vicinity provide a breathtaking glimpse of the Himalayas and the beautiful Ganges River.

3. Kedarnath

Kedarnath, located at an elevation of 3,586 metres, is among the holiest pilgrimage sites of Lord Shiva and is at Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand district. It is the most significant Dham among the Panch Kedar, positioned amid breathtaking Himalayan peaks and close to the source of the Mandakini River. Further, the Kedarnath Trek is a 16-kilometre moderate-to-steep hike that needs a high degree of physical fitness. Before beginning the trek, each pilgrim must undertake a medical test to discover whether or not they are physically suitable for trekking.

4. Badrinath

Badrinath Dham, situated between the Nar and Narayan mountains, is a magnificent sight and the holiest of the four Dhams. Thousands of visitors go to the holy town of Badrinath each year to offer prayers and get a peek at the renowned Shri Badrinathji Temple. The temple is in both the Chota Char Dham and Char Dham yatra. Further, the temple features North Indian style with stone walls and decorations and a vibrant and impressive entry gate.

Other Chardham Yatra Places To Visit & Explore

1. Hot Water Springs

On Chardham Yatra, tourists will experience several ancient hot springs. Surya Kund, situated in the Yamunotri Temple, is among the most well-known hot springs. The waters of all these hot springs have therapeutic and restorative powers.

2. Visit Waterfalls

The Yatra is a hikers’ and nature-lovers delight. Furthermore, the trek will allow travellers to see breathtaking waterfalls in the Char Dhams. The 122-meter-tall Vasundhara Falls is worth visiting. Furthermore, Kempty Falls is worth visiting on your way to Yamunotri.

3. Visit Harshil

When in Uttarakhand for Chota Chardham Yatra, travellers will get the chance to discover some of the hidden gems. Harsil is one of these pristine locations; it provides a variety of tourist attractions, with the cascading Bhagirathi River, the tranquil environment, and the sound of birds chirping being the main lure. The trail continues to the Gangotri Shrine.

4. Valley of Flower

The Valley of Flowers is close to the Badrinath shrine and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, take some time to visit here.

Accommodation Options

To successfully accomplish the Yatra, it is necessary to book suitable lodging options. Pilgrims may book hotels in Chardham Yatra according to their requirements and budgets.

How To Reach Chardham Yatra?

• By Air: The closest airport to Chardham is Jolly Grant Airport or the Dehradun Airport.
• By train: Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Kotdwar are the nearest train stations to Chardham. Buses, cabs, and taxis are readily available from the outside station.
• By Road: The well-designed road network makes travelling to Chardham easy. The availability of intercity transportation and cabs is prevalent.

Also Read: BEST SPIRITUAL PLACES TO VISIT IN INDIA

Final Say

So this is a short and quick Chardham yatra guide for travellers planning to visit Chardham Yatra in 2022. Embark on this spiritual journey with LIH Travels.