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[Char Dham Yatra] The Char Dham
Yatra or the four pilgrimages are the cardinal compass points of the Hindu
faith. During April till November season, when the Chardham Temples are open
in the Garhwal Hills, direct buses connect Rishikesh's Yatra Bus Stand with
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
HARIDWAR : 
The whole of Uttarakhand is dotted with temples of Vishnu and Shiva. Vishnu
is known as Hari and Shiva as Hari. Dwar means gate, and it is for this
reason that this place is known as Haridwar or Haridwar, as it is the
Gateway to Shri Badrinath and Shri Kedarnath, the holy shrines of Hari and
Har. The Hindu Pantheon allows freedom of worship of Gods in any form.
Uttarakhand abounds in shrines of god and goddesses and Haridwar from time
immemorial has been the gateway to these shrines. It is said that Haridwar
was the place of meditation for many ancient sages. Sage Kapil meditated
here and for that reason this place was for several years known as
Kapilasthan.
DAY : 01
Delhi / Haridwar / Rishikesh (225 kms)
Lv. At 0700 hrs and enroute
halt at Khatoli for Breakfast and upon arr. Visit Laxshman Jhoola, Parmarth
Ashram, Geeta Bhawan and other ashrams . Later evening proceed to the
ghats for a visit to the Har-Ki-Pauri, enjoy the evening prayer Aarti,
performed at River Ganges. Later back to the Hotel for
Overnight stay at Hotel.
RISHIKESH :
It is said when Raibhya Rishi did hard penances, God appeared by the name of
"Hrishikesh" and this area was henceforth call by the name. Rishikesh,
situated on the right bank of river Ganga and surrounded on three sides by
Himalayan ranges, known from medieval time as celestial abode, is a great
pilgrimage centre of India, attracting a large number of pilgrims. It is
believed that Bharat brother of Lord Rama, subjected himself to severe
penance here. A temple known as Bharat Temple was later constructed at the
site and the town Rishikesh sprang up around the temple. It has since been
the abode of saints and sages from where tey sojourn before undertaking the
arduous pilgrimage that lay ahead on the distant Himalayan peaks.This
gateway to the kingdom of Gods and pilgrimage to Badrinath, Kedarnath,
Gangotri and Yamunotri is clustered with Ashram, Tourist Rest House and
Dharamsalas. The Yoga centres of Rishikesh have enhanced the significance of
the place, home and foreign tourist from all over the world visit this place
to have lessons in Yoga and Meditation.
Day : 02
Risihikesh / Hanuman Chatti (190 kms)
Lv. Early morning drive to
Hanumanchatti- the confluence of Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna River, Lunch
enroute and enjoy the Himalayan Panorama and upon arr. Check in the hotel
for
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day : 03
Hanuman Chatti / Janki Chatti (Trek 8 kms)
Lv. After b/f and upon arr. At
Janki chatti (moderate trek)
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day : 04
Janki Chatti/Yamunotri/Janki Chatti (Trek 12 kms)
Full of fun and visit The Yamunotri shrine is situated at an elevation of
3,322 metres. Yamunotri temple and return back to Janki chatti for
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day : 05 Janki Chatti / Hanuman Chatti/Uttarkashi
Trek 08 kms and and then board the bus and have a ride of 120 kms . In
Uttarkashi situated at the bank of the river Bhagirathi. The Temple of Lord
Vishwanath is located here where a massive iron trident is erected. The
other important temple situated here are Ekadash Rudra, Bhairav, Gyaneshwar
and Goddess Kuteli Devi. Upon arr. Check in the hotel. Rest of the day at
leisure.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day : 06 Uttarkashi / Gangotri(100 kms)
Lv. after b/f and enroute visit the sulphur springs as well as Harsil - the
mini Switzerland of India and upon arr. in Gangotri - Check in the hotel and
rest of the day for to enjoy the scenic beauty and the landscaping of the
place, The Gangotri temple, is constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh
Thapa in the 18th century, is situated on the right bank of Bhagirathi. The
Gangotri shrine is situated at an elevation of 3,048 metres. Submerged
Shivling is the place where, according to mythology Lord Shiva sat when he
received the Ganga in his matted lock. It is visible in winter months when
water level decreases. Kedar Ganga Sangam around 100 yards from the Ganga
Temple flows the river Kedar Ganga. Starting from the Kedar Valle, this
river meets the Bhagirathi on its left bank. Evening - witness the aarti and
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day : 07
Gangotri / Srinagar(235 kms)
Lv. After b/f and lunch at
Uttarkashi and
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day :
08 Srinagar / Gaurikund / Kedarnath (80 kms drive +15 kms trek)
Lv. Early morning and watch the confluence at Ruderprayag and Soneprayag
enroute and upon arr. Gaurikund at a distance of 5kms from Soneprayag and at
an altitude of 1982 mts, one can take bath in the hot water ponds here and
visit the Gauri Temple. This is the place where Goddess Parvathi meditated
to attain Lord Shiva. It is the base for a trek to Kedarnath. The Kedarnath
shrine, is situated at an elevation of 3,581 metres. The Kedarnath shrine,
is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated,
against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name
of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. According to legend, the
Pandavas after having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war, felt
guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord
Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took
refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed he dived into
the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord
Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his
manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the
belly at Madhmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar.
Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar.
Possible to trek or Have Ponies and for real Old people - it is possible to
have Dandi - 4 people carries the pax on a wooden swing. Normal trekking
time is approx. 7 hrs. Upon arr. Check in the Hotel/Dharamshala and then in
the evening witness the Prayer at Kedarnath Temple.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day : 09
Kedarnath / Gaurikund / Ukhimath (3,584 mtrs)
Down Trek 15 kms and board the
bus at Gaurikund and then proceed to Ukhimath. 18 km before CHOPTA a famous
Hill destination of Uttaranchal.
Day : 10
Ukhimath / Joshimath / Badrinath
Early morning after b/f drive
to Joshimath halt for a launch. In Joshimath Adi Guru Shankaracharya, who
came all the way from Keralas in the 8th Century A.D, perform penance under
a tree here and after getting enlightenment, established a Math (religious
centre), known as "Joshimath". The name Joshimath is derived from it. Temple
of Narsingh and Nav Durga are located here. Upon arrival to Badrinath
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day : 11
Badrinath (13,133 Mtrs) 
Badrinath one of the 'Four Dhams' is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage
spots of the country and is situated at an elevation of 13,133 meters,
guarded on either side by the two mountain ranges known as Nar & Narayan
with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a splendid backdrop. This revered
spot was once carpeted with wild berries. Thus the place got the name "Badri
van", meaning "forest of berries".
In early morning after taking a hot spring bath in Tapt Kund, visit to the
temple for Pooja. Drive to Mana village 3 km far away from Badrinath, there
are 25km far away from China border. Then we proceed to Vasudhara- the
falls, Bhim Bridge, Ganesh Cave, Vyas Cave and the confluence of river
Saraswati and Alaknanda and back to Badrinath. Afternoon free for shopping
and in the evening. Visit to the temple for Aarti and
Overnight stay at Hotel / Dharamshala.
Day :
12 Badrinath / Srinagar (200 kms)
Lv. After b/f for Srinagar passing through Joshimath, Pipalkoti, Nandprayag,
Karnprayag , Ruderprayag and then to Srinagar for
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day : 13
Srinagar / Haridwar (125 kms)
Lv. After b/f and pass through
Devprayag, Rishikesh and then Lunch & Holy dip at Haridwar and watch the
evening prayer at Har - Ki - Pauri.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day : 14
Haridwar / Delhi (200 kms)
Lv. after b/f and lunch enroute and drive back to Delhi. |
