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( 9 Nights & 10 Days)
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There are four Abodes in Himalayas collectively referred as "Chota Char Dham of India " and popular as "Char dham Yatra" which includes four holy shrines of Hindus: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. All of these temples are situated within the Garwhal region of Uttarakhand state in North India.
Among four Scared sites Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva while Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. On the other hand, Yamunotri and Gangotri are dedicated to Goddess Ganga and Yamuna rivers respectively. In Hindu religion, the CharDham Yatra have a great importance, and it is considered that every hindu should do Char dham yatra at least once in a lifetime.
Char Dham Yatra is one the most popular pilgrimage route, with millions of devotees paying homage to all these religious places in aspiration of eliminates all sins and to attain salvation by the blessings of the Lord. Every Year More than 250,000 pilgrims visit Chardham from various parts of India. Char dham is also growing popular among foriegn tourists, who are blessed to see the heavenly natural beauty and Himalayas with a chance to know more about culture of India.
CharDhams of Uttarakand can be covered in one strech in a matter of 10-11 days. Nowdays, you can also get helicopter services to visit CharDham in just 2 days.
Due to Picturesque surroundings, high altitude mountain region (Himalayas), dense forests, large valleys and enthralling environment gives an opportunity to visitors to unwind themselves by breathing fresh air with experience of majestic locations.
Adi Shankaracharya who was Great Reformer and Philosopher group together these Scared Pilgrimage site into religious circuit during the 8th century. Generation followed generations, thousands of devotees from all over the world regularly visit these four religious places in Uttarakhand. During Winter season all Chardham are closed for Six month due to Heavy snowfall all temples are inaccessible.
| Char Dham Temple | Opening Date | Closing Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gangotri |
22 April 2023 |
27 Oct 2023 |
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|
Yamnotri |
22 April 2023 |
29 Oct 2023 |
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|
Badrinath |
08 May 2023 |
9 Nov 2023 |
||
|
Kedarnath |
07 May 2023 |
29 Oct 2023 |
||
*Note: The above are the tentative dates of Char Dham Yatra for 2023, actual dates will be updated soon once they announced.
While visiting Char dhams of Uttarakhand, make sure you book your accommodation in advance during peak season. During lean season, you might get accommodation quite easily, at discount prices as well.
Types of accommodation available in most destinations: Hotels, Resorts, Dharamshala, Lodges, Ashrams, Guesthouses, Tents, Camps, and Homestays
There are number of small and big cities, towns and villages which comes across during entire route of Char Dham Yatra. You can stay at any places which you find good enough as night halt. Make sure the hotels are in good conditions with neat and clean rooms, ventilation, hygenic washrooms and toilets. Some places are remotely located duringChar dham Yatra tour, so be preapred to get average hotels with basic rooms and limited service over there. Also the food options are limited at these destinations.
On confirmation of booking your contract is with Ghoomo uttarakhand. A contract exists between us when we confirm your tour/travel services and have received the deposit amount from your end.
Deluxe Char Dham Tour from Haridwar (9 Nights & 10 Days)
| Total Guests | Vehicle | Per Person Cost |
| 1 | Dezire | Rs 28,500 |
| 2 | Innova | Rs 32,500 |
| 3 | Tempo Traveller | Rs 21,999 |
This Char Dham package is also applicable from Dehradun, Rishikesh as well. We also have same 8 nights package in Budget (standard), Luxury and Premium category as well.
Destination | Nights | Hotel Name |
| Barkot | 2 Night | HOTEL . RD RESIDENCY similar |
| Uttarkashi | 2 Night | Hotel Krishna Palce similar |
Guptkashi | 2 Night | Hotel |
Badrinath | 1 Night | Hotel Kalyan Palace similar Pipalkoti |
Rudraprayag | 1 Night | Shri Raghunath Hotel and Restaurant |
GST @5% is applicable on above price.
Char Dham yatra is the most sacred yatra for Hindu in India. There are four temples included in char dham yatra, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath. all of these four are sacred places for Hindus. Every year many peoples come to take blessing from these four temples.
Ghoomo uttarakhand brought you 8 nights Char Dham tour packages from Haridwar in which you can visit all Char Dham of Uttarakhand. This package starts from Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun as per your convenience at the time of booking.
Morning meet our representative at your Hotel / Airport / Railway Station. After some basic information start your journey to Barkot. Later drive to Barkot. Check into the hotel arrival in Barkot. Overnight stay at Barkot. (Meals: Dinner)
Early morning after breakfast, drive to Jankichatti / Phoolchatti. Start your trek from here to Yamunotri (6kms) (Either by walk or by horse or by Doli at own cost). After arrival at Yamunotri take bath in warm waters of Surya Kund (Hot Spring). Enjoy Darshan of”Yamunaji”. Return trek to Jankichatti. Later drive towards Barkot. Overnight stay at Barkot. (Meals:Breakfast and Dinner)
Morning after breakfast, relax for a while. Later drive to Uttarkashi. Visit Shivgufa on the way to Uttarkashi. In Uttarkashi visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple. After that, check in hotel. Day free for rest. Overnight stay at Uttarkashi. (Meals: Breakfast and Dinner)
Early morning after breakfast, drive to Gangotri. On the way visit Gangnani Hot Spring. Take a holy dip in Kund. Later drive to Gangotri via beautiful Harsil valley. On arrival at Gangotri, take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges which is also called Bhagirathi at its origin. Perform Pooja and Darshan, after that relax for some time in the lovely surroundings. Later return drive to Uttarkashi. Overnight stay at Uttarkashi. (Meals: Breakfast and Dinner)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Guptkashi. Enroute you can see the beautiful river Mandakini at Tilwahra. The Mandakini River comes from Kedarnath, drive alongside the river to reach Guptakashi, visit Ardh Narishwar Temple in Guptakashi. Check into the hotel arrival in Guptkashi. Overnight stay at Guptkashi. (Meals: Breakfast and Dinner)
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Morning after breakfast, today we will go to Kedarnath. To reach Kedarnath you will have two options. One if by trekking (Either by walk or by horse or by Doli at own cost) .
In the next aurora you will have to go for trek for kedarnath. The zigzag, ganger way will make you tiered but keep saying the name of lord shiva and trek. You will pass by gaurikund which is also a hot water resource and it is heard that Mata Parvati came here to bath. There is also a shakti temple.
Then you will go forward to meet “bhole baba”. You can take ponies/ dolies/ palanquins to trek and other is by Air via Helicopter (at your own cost) (charges payment will your own). After reach kedarnath do worship of the shivlinga, the pandavas and you can see one of the highest altitude spot of india. Have dinner & the night will spend by you in kedarnath in the ashrams.
By Helicopter: Morning our driver will transfer you your pre-book Helipad. After Back from Kedarnath.Our driver will drop you at Hotel for rest.
Morning our driver will drop you at Sonprayag then you have to take local jeep for Gourikund & then your trek start for kedarnath ji. After darshan you follow same & back to Sonprayag. There is big parking issue so driver will back other palace if his contact no. in not working then you have to arrange other taxi or wait for your driver & send the massage any other driver.
Today morning visit the kedarnath temple again, start trek down to gaurikund and than drive back to guptkashi/sitapur. After arrival at guptkashi/sitapur Check in to the hotel rooms and have relaxation overnight.
Morning after breakfast, drive to Badrinath. Check in to the hotel arrival in Badrinath. Pilgrims after having a bath in the Taptkund have the Darshan of Badrivishal & Aarti in evening. Overnight stay at Badrinath. (Meals: Breakfast and Dinner)
Morning enjoy the after breakfast, drive for Rudraprayag via Joshimath. Visit on the way Darshan of VishhttpsuPrayag, Narsingh Temple in Joshimath, KarnPrayag and NandPrayag. Check into the hotel arrival in Rudraprayag. Overnight stay at Rudraprayag. (Meals: Breakfast and Dinner)
Morning after breakfast, drive for Haridwar / Dehradun / Rishikesh. Drop at Hotel / Airport / railway station. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 01 Rishikesh – Barkot 5 hrs
Day 02 Barkot – Yamunotri 2 hrs
Day 03 Yamunotri – Uttarkashi 6 hrs
Day 04 Uttarkashi – Harsil – Gangotri – Harsil – Uttarkashi
Day 05 Uttarkashi – Guptakashi 7-8 hrs
Day 06 Guptakashi – Gaurikund 1 hr > Kedarnath 18 km Trek one side /35 km drive
Day 07 Kedarnath – Sonprayag – Guptkashi (18 km trek / 35 km drive)
Day 08 Kedarnath – Pipalkoti / Joshimath 6-7 hrs.
Day 09 Joshimath – Badrinath 2hr
Day 10 Badrinath – Rishikesh 12 hr
There is no deluxe facilities in Kedarnathji due to high altitude. There only serve you bed system.
As per the directive given by the Government of India, all Indian/Foreign Nationals are required to provide proper proof of identification upon check-in. valid identifications documents are: Passport & Visa together, Voters Id card, Current Drivers License, Aadhar Card. All the documents must include a photograph.
Hotel / camps or any kind of accommodation can deny stay if valid id proof is not provided. Company is not responsible for any ID proof related issues.
Generally hotel check in time is 14:00 hrs and checkout time is 11:00 hrs across India. Confirm early check in or late checkout will be chargeable if not included in cost. Kindly contact hotel directly if you want complimentary early check in or late check out.
If meals are included in package it will be served at set menu basis in a buffet menu / fixed / meal credit. Any items which are not in their in ideal Buffet / Fixed menu will be charged extra at the time of consumption. Hotels decide the menu and options of items for menu. Some hotels having Meal credit policy instead of Buffet or
Fixed Menu during low occupancy in hotel – This meal credit amount is decided by hotel management – if bills goes above the given meal credit amount then extra amount should be paid directly at respective hotel. Room service for the food or packing is charged extra at many hotels. Normally in Chardham you will get north
Indian type food only and most of the standard and deluxe hotels give thali if meals are included in package.
Breakfast Timing: 07:00 Am to 09:00 AM And Dinner: 07:00 PM to 10:00 PM (About the timing you can contact hotel management before.)
Normally for extra bed on double sharing rooms many hotels has rollaway bed while rest of the hotels provide extra mattress only. If you are not comfortable with mattress system instead of bed let us know in advance.
In hill areas or Chardham many hotels don’t have ac so if you insist ac only kindly confirm with the company regarding the same. Lift facility & power back up is not available in most of the hotels in Chardham. Wifi facility and room heater is mostly chargeable but don’t expect good wifi in Chardham hotels due to network issues most of the time.
Most of the hotels in Chardham are not running full year so don’t expect similar service and room quality like you get in Haridwar-Rishikesh in the same price range. Especially in may June and other busy days the budget/standard hotels in Chardham can cost more than deluxe hotel in Haridwar-Rishikesh or Delhi. Also if you want to stay good hotels with good reviews you need to book at least 3 months before in may June and 1-2 month before in Oct Nov season as good hotels are mostly booked in advance by groups. In Kedarnath there is only basic dharamshala / budget hotel type basic facility only even if your package is luxury in Kedarnath don’t expect even deluxe rooms.
AC will not work in all hill areas or stopped / parked vehicle. Hill areas will start from Dehradun onwards as well from Rishikesh onwards and ac will not work beyond those points. If you want AC in the hills during road journey then the rates per vehicle A/C Per day at Hills are: Indigo/Dzire/Etios @ Rs 300 per day, Innova /Tavera/Bolero @ Rs 400 per day and Tempo 12 seater @ Rs 500 per day.
Vehicle will be permitted to use for sightseeing points on the route and inside the city limits or which is mentioned in itinerary. For additional sightseeing, off route sightseeing, sightseeing not inside the city limits or substitute sightseeing kindly contact company. Refund is not possible if any particular sightseeing point is not covered. In case you want some excursions kindly inform company in advance or discuss these things with company rather than driver. All nearby sightseeing points should be covered together. However in case of sometime issues with some particular place we can adjust. In Chardham route some of the places are not on the way like Trijuginarayan, Lakhamandal, Auli, Kalimath, Neelkanth Mahadev, AdiBadri, Bhavishya Badri etc. Kindly contact directly to company in case you want to include these places rather than driver.
Due to any reason if Vehicle breakdown due to technical reasons we will try our best to arrange another vehicle as soon as possible for the major problems. For minor problems which will not take much time vehicle will be repaired. Kindly cooperate.
We shall not be responsible for any delays & alterations in the program or expenses incurred directly or indirectly due to natural hazards, flight cancellations, accident, breakdown of transport, weather, sickness, landslides, closures/blockades due to political unrest or any such incidents.
In case the driver is not cooperative kindly contact company on the spot.
Driver will not drive on No-entry zones and should not be forced to drive on narrow streets or roads which can create traffic jam. Normal working hours of driver is 12 hrs in case you want services more than 12 hours in a day kindly inform us in advance.
In some hill area roads driving after sunset and music is not allowed due to risk of life. Kindly cooperate for the same.
Pick up and drop point will be one only (If multiple pickups and drop please mentions email conversation before booking)
In case you want multiple visit to the some particular place kindly mention in advance because some places are having very high charges of parking.
Tour destination / route cannot change without prior notice (Amended route and tour Destination rates may be change)
The rates are subject to change, depending on the fluctuation of diesel/Petrol prices in India. If the prices increased more than 5 % than the time of booking we will increase the rate even if the rates are confirmed earlier.
Company reserves the right to give you a similar car if the car you booked is unavailable.
At many of the tourist destination / hill station – some of the road / shopping market / mall road have “NO ENTRY” for all / some bigger tourist vehicles depends on destination along with time restrictions also. In this kind of situation guest have to manage another available mode of transport with an additional cost and on direct payment basis, this cost is not included in ideal package inclusion.
Some time vehicle parking area little far from the sightseeing spots. Guests need to reach the parking at their own cost.
No refund for short stay or unveiled facilities.
No cancellation or any refund will be made if situation is beyond our control, such as bad weather, landslide, climatic conditions or any other natural disaster, fire, any embargo, acts or decisions of government, political or national crisis, road blocks, heavy snow fall, acts of terrorism or other similar causes, strikes or problems at airlines, rails, buses, hotels or transporters, labor unrest, insolvency, business exigencies, operational and technical issues, route and flight cancellations or due to which the customer could not reach the destination and which is beyond our control.
Company is not responsible for any accident/injury/death/theft of person or property during the course of the tour.
All rights reserved to management to cancel any service without any refund until full advance amount towards the service is received from the customer and accepted by company.
Company Here by expressly disclaims any implied warranties imputed by the laws of any jurisdictions or country other than India. Company considers itself and intends to the jurisdictions only of the court of Haridwar, Uttarakhand India.
| Destination | Small Car | Innova / Tavera / Bolero | Tempo Traveller |
| Lakhamandal | Rs 500 | Rs 700 | Rs 1000 |
| Triyuginarayan | Rs 1000 | Rs 1500 | Rs 2000 |
| Kalimath | Rs 1000 | Rs 1500 | Rs 2000 |
| Auli | Rs 1000 | Rs 1500 | Rs 2000 |
| Neelkanth | Rs 1000 | Rs 1500 | Rs 2000 |
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Things to Carry
| • Small shoulder bag | • Thermal vests & pants | •Bum bag / Waist pouch |
| • Well broken in shoes | • Woolen socks & gloves | •Walking stick |
| • Cotton full sleeves shirts / T Shirts | • Pullovers & Jacket | • Extra pair of shoes |
| • Track pants / Trousers | • Monkey Cap & Sun Cap | • Toilet kit |
| • Light raincoat & Umbrella | • Quick dry hand towel | • Torch with spare battery |
| • Wind cheater | •Personal medical kit (if any) |
Cancellation Policy
Balance Payment:
Balance payment is to be made 15 days prior to the date of start of services. Any booking made within 15 working days of the date of services would be considered to be a late booking and for same the full and final payment is required to be made at the time of booking itself.
Mode of Payment
Domestic payments :- can be made by using any of the following methods:-
Why book with Ghoomo uttarakhand ?
Inclusions/Exclusions
Package Inclusions
Hotel accommodation as per package same or similar hotels.
All applicable hotel and transport taxes.
Package Exclusions
इमं मे गंगे यमुने सरस्वती शतुद्रि स्तोमं सचता परूष्णया।
असिकन्या मरूद्धे वितस्तयार्जीकीये श्रृणुहृया सुषोमया।।
The picturesque pilgrimage in the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time.
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga took the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagiratha’s predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received into his matted locks to minimize the immense impact of her fall. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her legendary source.
King Sagar, after slaying the demons on earth decided to stage an Ashwamedha Yajna as a proclamation of his supremacy. The horse which was to be taken on an uninterrupted journey around the earth was to be accompanied by the King’s 60,000 sons born to Queen Sumati and one son Asamanja born of the second queen Kesani. Indra, supreme ruler of the gods feared that he might be deprived of his celestial throne if the ‘Yagya’ succeeded and then took away the horse and tied it to the ashram of Kapil Muni, who was then in deep meditation.
The sons of the King Sagar searched for the horse and finally found it tied near the meditating Kapil. Sixty thousand angry sons of King Sagara stormed the ashram of sage Kapil. When he opened his eyes, the 60,000 sons had all perished, by the curse of sage Kapil. Bhagiratha, the grandson of King Sagar, is believed to have meditated to please the Goddess Ganga enough to cleanse the ashes of his ancestors, and liberate their souls, granting them salvation or Moksha
Another Legend:
Ganga, a beautiful vivacious young woman, it is said, was born out of Lord Brahma’s kamandalu (water vessel). There are two versions about this particular birth. One proclaims that Brahma washed Lord Vishnu’s feet after the latter got the universe rid of the demon Bali in his reincarnation as Vaman, and collected this water in his kamandalu.
Another legend has it that the Ganga came down to the earth in a human form and married King Shantanu — an ancestor of the Pandavs of the Mahabharat, yielded seven children, all of whom were thrown back into the river by her in an unexplained manner. The eighth – Bheeshma — was spared, thanks to King Shantanu’s intervention. However, Ganga then left him. Bheeshma plays a pivotal role throughout the grand epic of the Mahabharat.
Gangotri is the place where holy river Ganga descended on the earth. Gangotri Dham is located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India. It is set among tall Garhwal Himalayan peaks, glaciers, deep forests, and is one of India’s holiest pilgrimages. Gangotri is the home place of many ashrams, small shrines and temples.
The Gangotri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and located on the banks of River Bhagirathi. It lies close to the holy rock or the “Bhagirath Shila” where King Bhagiri had worshiped Lord Shiva.The river’s actual source is at Gaumukh in the Gangotri glacier, 19 kilometres from Gangotri and can be accessible by trekking. The water from Gangotri is taken to Lord Shiva as an offering and is said to contain nectar that soothes Shiva’s throat after he swallowed the poi
*Ganga height of 3042 metres, was built in the early 18th century by a Gorkha commander named Amar Singh Thapa.
According to Hindu mythology, “Goddess Ganga assumed the form of a river to atone for the misdeeds of King Bhagiratha’s forefathers after his centuries-long penance. Lord Shiva took her within his matted hair to soften the blow of her fall. At her mythological origin, she was given the name Bhagirathi”. There are many legends associated with the history of Gangotri. Legend says that Ganga, a beautiful vivacious young woman, it is said, was born out of Lord Brahma’s kamandalu (water vessel) There are two versions about the birth of Ganga. One says that Brahma washed Lord Vishnu’s feet after getting the universe rid of the demon Bali.
, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time in the Himalayas. The Gangotri shrine, dedicated to
the Goddess, is located along Bhagirathi’s right rear. The Gangotritemple, which stands at a
According to Hinduism, the Gangotri Yatra, or pilgrimage excursion to the Gangotri temple, is one of the four renowned and holy temple tours (Chardham Yatra). The opening date of Gangotri temple is usually on AkshyaTritya day. This year, Gangotri Dham has been closed for winter and will open again on 03 May 2022.
The opening of the Gangotri temple is preceded by a special Ganges Puja performed both inside the temple and on the river bank. It is believed that the Goddess retreats to Mukhwa, her winter abode. Gangotri temple is a shrine dedicated to River Ganga along with Badrinath, Kedarnath and Yamunotri. The shrine remains closed during the peak winter season from November to April. But special puja is done on Janamshtami, Vijaydashmi and Diwali.
The sacred temple and its surrounds provide a stunning view of the Himalayas and the ever-beautiful River Ganga. Other than that, there are many pilgrimage and tourist places near Gangotri Dham, some of them are high altitude lakes, glaciers and trekking destinations.
Gangotri has long enticed trekkers since there are wonderful adventurous excursions from Gangotri that provide you not only with exquisite beauty of nature but also with snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan range. Trekkers can trek to places like Gaumukh, Tapovan, and Kedar Tal.
Besides trekking, for sightseeing you must visit the beauty of nearby places to Gangotri …
Best Places to Visit in and around Gangotri
Kalpkedar: Seventeenth century mythological Shiva temple
In the year 1945, the villagers of Dharali saw the top part of the temple on the banks of the river Ganges. With curiosity, the villagers started digging. After excavation of about 14 feet, an entire Shiva temple of the Kalpa Kedar temple group was in front of me safely. This temple was also believed to have been lost or lost in the rubble in the early 19th century in the great floods of Kheer Ganga river. A path was made by the villagers to reach the temple. Dharali is at a distance of 73 kms on Uttarkashi Gangotri road. Dharali, the confluence point of Bhagirathi and Kheerganga, was known as Shyamprayag in the mythological period. Situated at a distance of about 60 meters from the road in Dharali, this temple is part of the Kalpkedar temple group. It is believed that this is one of the same temple groups which was built by Adi Shankaracharya for the upliftment of Sanatan Dharma. Some people say that there are up to 240 temples in the temple group. But there is clear evidence that there used to be multiple temples here. Two other temples are also visible along with the existing temple of Kalpkedar in a photograph taken by British photographer Samuel Brown, who was on a tour of the Ganga-Gaumukh region in 1869. This picture is still preserved with the Archaeological Department, a copy of this picture is also visible in the houses and establishments of the local villagers. In this picture, the Bhagirathi river is seen flowing in the opposite direction of the current flow of the temple. That is, when this picture was taken, the river used to flow there where today is Uttarkashi Gangotri Highway. Kalp Kedar is a temple built in the style of Kedarnath. Today the entrance of the temple is at a depth of 12 feet at a distance of 60 meters from the road. The depth of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is about 20 feet from the entrance. Kalpkedar is a Shiva temple. A white idol of Shiva is installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Apart from Shivling, Singh, Nandi, the shape of a pitcher has been made in the temple premises. Apart from this, there is also a modern idol of Shiva in the premises. The walls of the temple also have excellent carvings for the figures of gods and goddesses. Archaeologists attribute the remains of Kalpkedar and other remains at Dharali to the 17th century. Is. Due to the neglect of the Archaeological Department, this is not possible.
Dharali:
Dharali is a picturesque hamlet nestled on the tranquil banks of river Ganges. This village is perched at an altitude of 648 metres above sea level and lies in Rajgarhi tehsil or block. The fairy tale hamlet of Dharali is located at a favourable distance of 3 km from the main town. Dharali is famous for its glittering apple orchards & Rajma cultivation
Gangnani (Rishikund):
At a distance of 30 km from Harsil, 45 km from Uttarkashi and 52 km from Gangotri, Gangnani is a small town situated on the way to Gangotri in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Gangnani is noted for its thermal springs and magnificent views of the Himalayas. The thermal water spring at Gangnani is called Rishikund. Most of the devotees take holy dip in this natural hot water spring before heading towards Gangotri. There are separate kunds for both men and women. A temple dedicated to sage Parasara, father of Veda Vyas situated close to the Kund. Being a perfect spot for meditation, Gangnani acts as an ideal retreat for the nature lovers and affords stunning mountain views.
Gaumukh and Tapovan:
Gaumukh is the originating point of the river Ganga. Tourists can reach Gaumukh by trekking about 16km from Gangotri, and can further trek to Tapovan. Located around 4 kms from Gaumukh, Tapovan boasts lovely flowers, meadows, and streams.
Underwater Shivling:
Tourists must see the Shivling, which is made from natural rock and submerged under water, located near Gangotri Temple. This Shivling is easily visible during winters when the water freezes. It is said to be the site where Lord Shiva sat while tying the river Ganga in his locks.
Bhairon Nath Temple:
Located at a distance of around 10 kilometers from Gangotri, Bhairon Nath Temple is in Bhairon Ghati, close to the confluence of Bhagirathi and Jadh Ganga rivers. According to legends, Bhairon Nath was selected by Lord Shiva as the protector of the area. It is said that one must visit Bhairon Nath Temple after visiting the Gangotri Temple.
Gauri Kund and Surya Kund:
Around 500 meters from the Gangotri Temple lie Gauri Kund and Surya Kund. Surya Kund is popular for Surya Kund waterfalls in which Bhagirathi River falls through the deep ravines into downstream. Gauri Kund is a hot water spring which also serves as the basecamp for Kedarnath Trek. The magnificent views of the mountainous topography make this place a sight to behold.
Pandava Gufa:
Located about 1.5 kms from Gangotri, Pandava Gufa or Pandava Cave is an ancient natural cave. It is said that this is the site where the Pandavas meditated while they were in exile and were going to Kailash. Tourists can trek to this site from Gangotri. You will have to stay minimum 2 nights in Gangothry for acclimatising yourself before going to Gomugh trekking. On day two you can visit the Pandava Guha in the cedar forest. Walk 3 KM along river Ganga. You will reach the cave sonewhat opposite to the bus parking on main road. Its not the rock cave what attracts you but the Baba living inside. A real yogi. My Yoga group from Germany had many things to ask him. I had acted as the German hindi interpreter. His insight in the Indian philosophies opened my friends eyes. He offered us mouth watering coffe as prasad. He will never ask for money. But you can keep any amount as dhakshina on the mat there.
Harsil:
Harsil is located about 24 kms from Gangotri. It is a small immaculate village on the banks of Bhagirathi River. This quaint village is surrounded by imposing and snow-laden mountains, dense coniferous and deodar woods.
Gartang Gali:
Gartang Gali,one of the most thrilling and exciting treks in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, was opened to visitors and tourists in 2021 after 59 years. Located in the picturesque Nelong Valley near the Indo-China border, the 150-year old Gartang Gali is a 136-m-long wood-lined stairway that is said to have been built by Peshawari Pathans, who created an architectural masterpiece by cutting the granite of a vertical rock face. This route was traditionally used by merchants trading between India and Tibet. It was damaged over the years after it fell into disuse following the Indo-China war in 1962.
Painstakingly reconstructed, the 1.8-m-wide bridge, perched at around 3,352 m (11,000 feet), challenges even the most enthusiastic adventure-seeker. Hanging from the rocky ledge, it overlooks the picturesque Nelong Valley and the flora and fauna, while way below rushes the Jadh Ganga river! The around 2.5-km trek through dense forests leading to Gartang Gali is arduous but all the strain is washed away the moment you walk up the steps.
Interestingly, it is said this is the bridge that Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer (of “Seven Years in Tibet” fame) had used to escape to Tibet from India, during World War II. His story later inspired the Hollywood film of the same name starring Brad Pitt. For more information, Click here
Best time to visit
Nelong Valley is accessible for tourists between April 15 to November 15, which is parallel to Gartang Gali.
VISHWANATH TEMPLE ( Lord Shiva Temple )
Why this temple of Kashi Vishwanath is associated with the arrival of Ganga Bhagiratha Brahma had held the Ganges and it is here that Lord Parashuram is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas also in the Puranas. The name Uttarkashi was earlier known as the city of Vishwanath, which later That is, in today’s time it was known as Uttarkashi.The description of Uttarkashi is also found in Kedar Khand. Uttarkashi is mentioned there as Badahat, and in the Puranas it is known as Soumya Kashi.There are only three Kashi in India, out of which 2 are in Uttarakhand and one is in Varanasi, Guptkashi in Uttarakhand, Uttarkashi and one Kashi is in Varanasi.
Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous temples of Hindu Devasthans. This temple is one of the main religious places of Uttarkashi. In ancient times, Uttarkashi was called the city of Vishwanath and later this place came to be called “Uttarkashi”. In Kedarkhand and Puranas, the word ‘Badahat’ has been used for Uttarkashi and in the Puranas it is also called ‘Soumya Kashi’.
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Kashi Vishwanath temple of Uttarakhand was established by Parashuram ji and Lord Vishwanath appeared in the temple under Jyotirlinga. Vishwanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity, and devotees can listen to the recitation of mantras here at all times.Vishwanath temple is a big center of faith. According to the beliefs, this temple was built by the Garhwal King Pradyumna Shah in the form of a stone structure, later Maharani Kanti, wife of his son Maharaja Sudarshan Shah, renovated this temple in 1857 and it is also believed that That this temple was built by King Dnyaneshwar, while the Trishul of Lord Shiva was made by Guha. There is a surprising trident in the Vishwanath temple. The length of that trident is 8 feet, 9 inches and its height is 26 feet. An ancient Shivling is also present in the Vishwanath temple, which is 56 cm high and inclined towards the south.Another popular religious site, the Shakti Mandir (dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sati), is located opposite the Vishwanath Temple. The belief that a visit to Gangotri Dham is incomplete without offering prayers at the Vishwanath temple in Uttarkashi or the Rameshwaram temple in Varanasi adds to the importance of the Vishwanath temple. The idols of Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha are installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple premises.
There are also temples dedicated to Lord Sakshi Gopal and Baba Markande. Lord Shiva’s vehicle “Nandi Bull” is present in the outer hall of the temple. This stone temple is built in the Katyuri style. It is believed that the result of visiting Kashi Vishwanath temple in Uttarkashi is equal to that of Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. It is believed that Uttarkashi is the only place of pilgrimage in Kali Yuga, where Lord Himself Swayambhu is seated in the form of Shivling and this self-styled Shivling is located in Kashi Vishwanath temple. This temple is open for the devotees throughout the year. A childless couple who worship Lord Ashutosh with a lit lamp in their hands on the night of Shivaratri in the Kashi Vishwanath temple is blessed with a child.
According to mythology, King Bhagirath did penance in Uttarkashi itself and pleased with his penance, Brahma gave him a boon that Lord Shiva would accept the Ganges coming to earth. Since then this city came to be called the city of Vishwanath and later it came to be called Uttarkashi. This temple is situated at a distance of 300 meters from the bus stand of Uttarkashi.
In the holy land of Uttarakhand, you will see miracles step by step. Do not know how many traditions, how many cultures and how many civilizations are inhabited in this holy land. That is why the world salutes this land again and again. Today we are going to tell you about such a temple in Uttarakhand, about which it is said that it is said that only by its darshan, one can visit Varanasi. One gets the pleasure of getting darshan at par with Kashi Vishwanath. The most special thing about this temple is the temple of Mother Parvati present here. Right in front of the Kashi Vishwanath temple, Goddess Parvati is seated in the form of a trident. It is said that after killing the demon Mahishasura, Goddess Durga threw her trident on the earth. This trident had fallen here. Also know some surprising things about this trident.
Since then Goddess Durga is worshiped in the form of a pillar of power at this place. The trident present here does not move even after applying full force. Just touching it with the smallest finger of the hand, this trident starts moving. While doing research behind this, the scientists also gave up. This trident is 8 feet long and 9 inches thick. There are three Kashis famous in India. One Kashi is the Kashi of Varanasi. So do two Kashi Uttarakhand are in. The first is Uttarkashi and the second is Guptkashi. We have told you earlier about Guptkashi. Today we are going to tell you about Uttarkashi and its greatness. The biggest proof of this is the presence of Lord Shiva in Uttarkashi. Yes, Lord Bholenath is seated here in the form of Kashi Vishwanath. Uttarkashi is situated on the banks of Maa Bhagirathi.
A wonderful temple of Mahadev is built in the middle of this city. This temple has been a big center of faith for many generations. It is said that the fruit of the visit of Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi is equal to the fruit of the visit of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga of Varanasi. This temple of Kashi Vishwanath is open for devotees throughout the year. Before going to Gangotri, the darshan of Baba Vishwanath is very important. Puranas Uttarkashi has also been called ‘Soumya Kashi’ in this region. According to mythology, King Bhagirath did penance in Uttarkashi itself and pleased with his penance, Brahma ji, one of the trinity, granted him a boon. In the boon, Lord Brahmadev had said that Lord Shiva would imbibe the Ganges coming to earth. Then this city came to be called the city of Vishwanath. Later on it came to be called Uttarkashi.
The exact location of the temple is close to NH 34 and just a few kms away from the government post graduate college and government inter college. You will just be needing to follow the same route leading up to Uttarkashi which makes Rishikesh the closest railway station to the temple which is located at a distance of 167 kms. Jolly grant airport of Dehradun is the nearest airport leading up to the temple at a distance of 171 km if you take the Mussoorie road and 181 kms if you opt for the NH 34 road.
Morning – 5 am to 1 pm
Evening – 4 pm to 8 pm
Here are the timings of the temple:
Timings From To
Mangala Aarti 3 AM 4 :00 AM
Bhoga Aarti 11:15 AM 12:20 PM
Sandhya Aarti 7 PM 8:15 PM
Shringara Aarti 9 PM 10:15 PM
Shayana Aarti 10:30 PM 11:00 PM
The temple is located in Uttarkashi which experiences the typical high-altitude climate conditions.
Winter – This season lasts from October to March and the temperature can dip to zero and even sub zero levels. The region may also experience some snow storms and chilly weather making visit here very difficult and uncomfortable.
Monsoon – July to September forms the monsoon season in Uttarkashi which causes a hinderance in sightseeing plans due to the presence of muddy ways and road blocks. The weather however remains very beautiful and alluring. You may even visit carefully to experience the Himalayan rains.
Summer – March to June months make up for the summer season in Uttarkashi when the temperature also rises up to as high as 30 degree Celsius but not more. The roads are clear, sky is open and the temperature at the perfect level to enable you to go exploring and sightseeing. This is the best time to make plans for a visit to Kashi Vishwanath
Vishwanath Temple is one of the major tourist attractions in Uttarkashi which is located at a distance of around 154 kilometers from Rishikesh. This ancient temple is dedicated to lord Shiva who is the presiding deity of this temple.
Location: Uttarkashi ,Uttarakhand. India.
The Kashi Vishwanath temple is located 154 kms from Rishikesh, near the main road leading to Gangotri Dham.
How to Reach:
Nearest Airport: Jolly grant Airport is the closest one, at a distance of 162 kilometers.
Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh which is situated around 145 kms away.
Road way: Uttarkashi is well connected by road to Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar and other major towns of the state and region.
Gangotri Dham Location
Gangotri is located in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India, at an elevation of 3048 metres. Gangotri lies in the northern section of Uttarkashi District, close to the Indo-Tibetan border. It is roughly around 300 km from Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh, and 105 km from Uttarkashi.
Gangotri is well connected to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Kotdwar, Roorkee, Chamba, Tehri, Barkot, Hanuman Chatti and Janki Chatti. There are bus services of Samyukt Rotaion Yatayat Vyawastha Samiti available as well, that connects Gangotri with many major centres in the region like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Tehri, Uttarkashi etc. Gangotri is easily accessible by air, rail and bus.
The Distance between Delhi to Gangotri by road is approximately 501 kmwhich takes around 14 hours to reach if you aren’t halting anywhere. Every year, buses carry pilgrims from New Delhi to Gangotri via Haridwar and Rishikesh in pilgrim season of summer months.
Rishikesh is the major starting point for road journey to Gangotri. Traveling by plane or train may need changing modes of transportation several times, which can be inconvenient.
The average maximum temperature of Gangotri is about 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. Warm and woollen clothes are a necessity almost all round the year. The average minimum temperature easily goes below the zero-degree mark.
The best time to visit Gangotri is from April to June and September to November. The temple is open from last week of April to second week of November. The Weather in Gangotri is pleasant throughout the year. Summers in Gangotri are cool, while winters are considerably cooler.
How to Reach :
By Air
The nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 200 km from Uttarkashi HQ. Taxi and bus services are available from Dehradun airport to Uttarkashi HQ.
By Train
Rishikesh, Haridwar & Dehradun all have Railway Stations. Nearest rail-head from Gangotri is Rishikesh and Derhadun (200 km approx). From Rishikesh/Dehradun one can take a bus/Taxi to reach Gangotri.
By Road
Gangotri is situated on National Highway no 108. State transport buses play regularly between Uttarkashi and Rishikesh/Dehradun. Local Transport Union Buses and State Transport buses operate between Uttarkashi and Dehradun (200 km), Haridwar (250 km). Gangotri is 100 km from Uttarkashi headquarter .
Rishikesh ➜ Narendra Nagar ➜ Sarswad ➜ Agrakahl ➜ Agra ➜ Jangleth ➜ Khadi ➜ Jagdhar ➜ Chamba ➜ Dadoor ➜ Kandikhal ➜ Sankari ➜ Syansu ➜ Dhrwal Gaon ➜ Khand Birkot ➜ Sarot Doman ➜ Chinyalisour ➜ Dharasu ➜ Dunda range ➜ Athali ➜ Matli ➜ Barethi ➜ Uttarkashi ➜ Gangori ➜ Maneri ➜ Jamak ➜ Sainj ➜ Malla ➜ Bhatwari ➜ Kunjan ➜ Sungar ➜ Gangnani ➜ Sukki ➜ Sunagar ➜ Jhala ➜ Harshil ➜ Purga ➜ Dharali ➜ Lanka ➜ Bhaironghati ➜Gangotri
On the western side of Garhwal Himalayas, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, lies the holy place of Yamunotri. About 3,293 metres above the sea level, Yamunotri stands proudly with its enormous mountain peaks, glaciers and gushing waters of Yamuna. River Yamuna, the second most sacred river of India, originates in Yamunotri, making it one of the pilgrimage sites in the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
The venerated goddess Yamuna is said to be the daughter of Sun and twin sister of Yama (the god of death); in Vedas, Yamuna is called Yami (lady of life). A bath in the sanctified waters of Yamuna is said to cleanse all sins and protect from untimely or painful death. Such strong associations in Hindu mythology place Yamuna Devi (goddess) in high ranks of divinity.
On the western side of Garhwal Himalayas, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, lies the holy place of Yamunotri. About 3,293 metres above the sea level, Yamunotri stands proudly with its enormous mountain peaks, glaciers and gushing waters of Yamuna. River Yamuna, the second most sacred river of India, originates in Yamunotri, making it one of the pilgrimage sites in the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
The venerated goddess Yamuna is said to be the daughter of Sun and twin sister of Yama (the god of death); in Vedas, Yamuna is called Yami (lady of life). A bath in the sanctified waters of Yamuna is said to cleanse all sins and protect from untimely or painful death. Such strong associations in Hindu mythology place Yamuna Devi (goddess) in high ranks of divinity.
According to the legend ancient, sage Asit Muni had his hermitage here. All his life, he bathed daily both in the Ganges and the Yamuna. Unable to go to Gangotri during his old age, a stream of the Ganges appeared opposite Yamunotri for him.
The temple and the place opens every year on the auspicious day of the Akshaya Tritya, which generally falls during the last week of April, or the first week of May. The temple always closes on the sacred day of Diwali in mid-October – first week of November, with a brief ceremony. The temple staff return to their villages and for the rest of the time the valley is gripped in no-man silence and covered with a white sheet of snow. With the melting of the snow next summer, the temple re-opens.
The daughter of the Sun god, Surya and consciousness, Sangya the birthplace of the Yamuna is the Champasar Glacier (4,421 m) just below the Banderpoonch Mountain. The mountain adjacent to the river source is dedicated to her father, and is called Kalind Parvat, Kalind being another name of Surya. Yamuna is known for her frivolousness, a trait that she developed because, according to a common story, Yamuna’s mother could never make eye contact with her dazzling husband.
Best Time to Visit Yamunotri :
May to October
Best Places to Visit in and around Yamunotri
Very near to the Yamuna Devi temple there are many hot water springs; the most significant among them is the Surya Kund. It holds the boiling-hot water as it emerges from the crevices in the mountain. People boil rice and potatoes by tying them in a cloth (preferably muslin cloth) and consider them a Prasad (religious offering) from Goddess Yamuna.
Saptarishi Kund
Saptarishi Kund is regarded as the origin of Yamuna River. At an altitude of 4421 meters, Saptarishi Kund is regarded as the origin of Yamuna River. With its murky bluish waters, pebbly banks and the rare display of Brahama lotus, Saptarshi Kund beholds delightful scenery. Before you venture your trip to Saptarsi Kund, it is necessary that you should familiarize with the climatic conditions of this region by staying a day at Yamunotri.
BandarPoonch Glacier
BandarPoonch Glacier of Uttarakhand: Situated in the lap of the Himalayas, the mountains and glaciers of Uttarakhand are also the source of many rivers including Ganga and Yamuna. These mountain peaks hold many mysteries and stories of gods and goddesses. Bandarpoonch Glacier in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand is one such peak. This is where the stairs to Everest begin. Bandarpoonch is situated on the western edge of the High Himalayan range. The 12 km long glacier is located at an altitude of 6316 m. The glacier is also associated with the Ramayana. According to mythology, Ravana, the lord of Lanka, set fire to the tail of Lord Hanuman, after which he set the whole of Lanka on fire. Lord Hanuman came to this peak to put out the fire of his tail after setting fire to Lanka. That is why it was named Monkeytail. Moreover, the Yamunotri Glacier, the source of the Yamuna River, is also part of the Bandarpoonch Peak.
DIVYA SHILLA (THE DIVINE STONE)
It is a reddish-brown rock near the Surya Kund which needs to be worshipped before offering reverence to the main deity, Yamuna maa (mother). According to Skanda Purana, with a mere touch of the sacred rock one can attain spiritual liberation.
JANKI CHATTI
Janki Chatti is situated 7 kms before Yamunotri and is popular for its thermal springs. It is the midpoint of the trek to Yamunotri which is accessible by jeeps. Palanquin, a royal conveyance carrying people on the shoulders of a single person is available here. It is a famous pilgrimage site which comes in the way of char dham yatra.
Hanuman Chatti
At a distance of 13 km from Yamunotri, 8 km from Janki Chatti and 36 km from Barkot, Hanuman Chatti is a small hamlet on the way to Yamunotri in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Located at the confluence of the Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna Rivers, Hanuman Chatti used to be a halting place for pilgrims during their Char Dham Yatra. Hanuman Chatti lies at an altitude of 2400 m and it is a serene place offering good accommodation facilities. The river side scenic beauty at Hanuman Chatti acts as a perfect place to experience nature and countryside.
There are many small temples in the region, the most noteworthy temple is the one dedicated to Hanuman. Within the interiors of the temple there is an impressive image of Lord Hanuman carrying a mountain. To the left of the temple there is a Samadhi of Himalaya Giri, a saint who lived and meditated in Hanuman Chatti. On top of the shrine there is a Shiva Linga.
Hanuman Chatti is also a popular trekking spot among the travellers. Hanuman Chatti used to be the starting point of the trek to reach Yamunotri but now jeep able roads are made up to Janki Chatti. The hike from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri is very popular among the travellers. Apart from Yamunotri the best trekking excursion of Hanuman Chatti is towards Darwa Top and Dodi Tal.
Kharsali
At a distance of 1 km from Janki Chatti, 9 km from Hanuman Chatti and 6 km from Yamunotri, Kharsali is a little village located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Situated at an elevation of 2675 m above the sea level, Kharsali is known as the home of Goddess Yamuna during winters when the Yamunotri Shrine becomes inaccessible due to heavy snowfall.
The place is a popular picnic spot among the travellers because of its natural surroundings covered with natural springs and waterfalls. Kharsali also houses the oldest Shani Dev Temple of India. The idol of Goddess Yamuna is kept at the Shani Dev Temple during the winter season. The temple is a three-storied structure made up of stones, wood and mortar. The temple has withstood several earthquakes and other natural calamities since ages. It is believed that the temple was built by the Pandavas. The Bronze idol of Lord Shani Dev is kept here along with the Chaaya, the Sangya and Nag Devta. There are two Urns are kept and no one touches them because of any unforeseen danger to self or family. There is a belief that these Urns change their position themselves on Purnima and Amawasya.
Every year on the occasion of Bhai Dooja or Yam Dwitiya which is two days after Diwali, the idol of Goddess Yamuna is brought to the temple and prayed here till the end of winter. Another interesting attraction here is an ancient Lord Shiva temple. Here Lord Shiva is depicted in his Someshwar form.
There is no motorable road to Kharsali and the 1 km distance from Janki Chatti has to be trekked. Janki Chatti is well connected with major towns of Uttarakhand.
BARKOT
Barkot is a hill station, located in the higher Himalayan ranges. Situated at an elevation of 1,220 meters above sea level, Barkot is one of the popular destinations situated in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It receives water from two holy rivers, namely Ganga and Yamuna. Yamunotri Dham is around 50 km from Barkot. From Barkot, one can easily view the magnificent peak of Banderpoonch and other massive peaks of the Himalayan range.
Pilgrims visiting Yamunotri and Gangotri Dham are reaping double benefits by bathing in the Tapt Kunds at Yamunotri and Gangnani here. Bathing in these kunds not only has religious significance but also gives health benefits.When food items like rice, potatoes etc. are put in boiling water in Suryakund in Yamunotri, they get cooked within few minutes. It is offered as prasad in Yamunotri temple. The stream of hot water emanating from this pool goes through Divya Shila to two hot springs, in which travelers take bath.
According to ancient religious beliefs, bathing in this pool gives freedom from Yama’s torture. Similarly, there are hot water tanks in Gangnani on the Gangotri Yatra route. Parashara Rishi did penance at this place. Devotees also earn meritorious benefits by bathing in these kunds.Apart from religious benefits, bathing in hot water pools removes exhaustion of the body as well as gets rid of skin diseases. The sulfur content in this water is very high. This is the reason that the pilgrims coming on Chardham Yatra gather in large numbers to take bath in these hot springs. With the changing times, these kunds have been systematically constructed. Due to the continuous drainage of water, the dirt does not stagnate in it even for a moment.
Tapt Kund is the boon of the sun
Barkot. The pilgrimage priests of Yamunotri Sushil Uniyal, Pawan Uniyal, Manmohan Uniyal, Ashish etc. tell that when mother Yamuna put the problem in front of her father Surya about what the devotees who come here for his darshan would eat, then Surya blessed the hot pool in Yamunotri. Had given. Yamraj, the brother of Yamuna, had also given the boon of salvation from Yama’s torture by bathing in this pool.
Syana Chatti
One of the beautiful spots to absorb the beauty of nature, Syana Chatti is situated at the bank of river Yamuna in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, on the Barkot – Yamunotri highway. This place is a perfect destination to take a break from the hustle-bustle of city life. You can enjoy some mesmerizing moments in the lap of nature. The holy shrine Yamunotri temple is just 17km from this town. In Syana Chatti, there are many ashrams, hotels, and lodges available at easy & quick location.
Yamuna river
Yamuna river is famed for being the 2nd largest tributary of Ganga and the longest tributary in India. The river emerges from the slopes of the Champasar glacier in the Bandarpoonch Parbat on an elevation of 8,387 metres above sea level this place marks the lower Himalayan region of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. The holy river travels over a distance of 1,376 kms and merges with the holy river of Ganga at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj which is one of the holiest locations in India and site for the famous Kumbh Mela of India which takes place once in every 12 years. All this shows that the river holds incredible religious and holy place in the hearts of devout Hindus.
About Banderpooch Peaks Literally translating into ‘tail of the monkey’ and adorned in the Garhwal division of Himalayas this mountain massif is named and dedicated to lord Hanuman. It is strategically situated all along the western edge of the high Himalayan ranges and covered in white snow making a visit here feel like a dream come true. Lying within the famous Govind Pashu national park and wildlife sanctuary this is also a major watershed for Yamuna river whose source can be traced back to above and beyond Yamunotri temple shrine. The peak was first summited by Maj Gen Harold Williams in the year 1950 which also included the great legendary mountaineer – Tenzing Norgay. The place forms the perfect destination for outdoor adventure seekers and fun seeking travellers.
Course of Yamuna River
From its source in the Champasar glacier the river flows 200 km southwards making its way through the lower Himalayan region as well as the Shivalik ranges. Near Naugaon you can witness some terraced land formation which are believed to have been formed here over a long period of time. Tons river, a centre of adventure water sports activities, is the largest tributary which drains a massive portion of the upper catchment area and is said to hold more water than the main stream of the river. Rising from Har ki Dun valley it later on goes on to merge near Dehradun with Kalsi. Gracefully making its way downwards from Dehradun it then crosses the famous Sikh pilgrimage destination of Ponta Sahib and finally reaches Tajewala in Haryana. During the dry season months the stretch of river between Delhi and Tajewala dam completely dries up. The river Yamuna defines the border between Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and in between Haryana, UP and Delhi. It runs almost parallel to Ganga once it enters the Indo Gangetic plains. This land in between is the Ganges – Yamuna doab region and spreads on an area of 69,000 sq. km Religious Significance -Just like the other rivers in India Yamuna river also holds a great deal of religious and sacred significance in the lives of the Indian population here. The river is named after the sister of Yama i.e. Yami who also happens to be the daughter of Surya. She is worshipped everywhere it goes. The river is also connected to the religious beliefs about lord Krishna. As per the various religious Hindu texts, especially the Purans, has mentioned this river. It is said that when lord Krishna was being taken across the Yamuna river after his birth, Yamuna parted river into two parts so as to make way for Vasudeva carrying Krishna’s basket. Since then Krishna had spent his childhood and adolescent years by the river, before finally meeting her in the forest when he had gone to meet the Pandav brothers
Festivals Celebrated in Yamunotri
Basant Panchami, Phool Devi during March and Olgia during August.
Summers in Yamunotri start in the month of April and end in the month of July. During this season, the temperature ranges between 6°C to 20°C. The days are pleasing while the nights are very cold. Hence the visitors are advised to carry warm clothing while travelling to this place in this season. A sightseeing trip and a pilgrimage trip can be best enjoyed at this time.
There is a list of few things that one must carry while journeying to Yamunotri in summers. One must take along a day pack, trekking pants, a pair of comfortable walking shoes, windproof jacket, woollen clothing, sun cap, sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen lotion, water bottle, walking stick, personal toiletries and torch with extra batteries. You can pocket some dry fruits and carrying energy drinks like Gatorade/ electrol (ORS) is a must to avoid the body from dehydrating
In the monsoon season, Yamunotri witnesses heavy rainfall which makes travelling troublesome. The monsoons here set in from Mid-July and last till the end of September. During this season, the visitors might face few difficulties like landslides while visiting this place.
Don’t miss out on carrying a day pack with rain cover, water proof hiking shoes/trekking shoes, water resistant windproof jacket, wollen clothes, waterproof gloves, thick wollen socks, thick fleece, walking stick, torch/flashlight with extra batteries, raincoat/poncho and personal toiletries. You must take along a water bottle and few dry fruits to munch on.
The beginning of October marks the onset of the monsoons which last till the month of March. The winters are harsh featuring heavy snowfall and the temperature generally hovers between 0 to 5°C and may also go down below -7°C. In this season, the roads to the temple get blocked, thus visitors are advised not to plan a visit to Yamunotri during the winter season
Yamunotri remains cold almost throughout the year while in summers it becomes a little pleasant. Winters here are too cold, making it difficult for the travelers to explore this place. In the monsoon season, Yamunotri features heavy rainfall again causing a little bit of disruption while journeying to this place. Summer season is considered the best season to witness the true beauty of Yamunotri. If you wish to discover its rare culture, visit this pious place during festivals like Basant Panchami and Phool Devi.
Road Route Map to Yamunotri
Route – 01:
Haridwar – Rishikesh(25 km) – Narendranagar (21 km) – Chamba (44 km) – Dharasu bend (80 km) – Barkot (40 km) – SyanaChatti (27 km) – HanumanChatti (6 km) – PhoolChatti (5 km) – JankiChatti (3 km) – Yamunotri (5 km Trek)
Route – 02:
Haridwar – Dehradun(54 km) – Vikasnagar(38 km) – Katapatthar(19 km) – Yamuna Bridge(27 km) – Naugaon(55 km) – Barkot(10 km) – Syanachatti(29 km) – Ranachatti(4 km) – Hanumanchatti(3 km) – Jankichatti(9 km) – Yamunotri(5 km Trek)
Kedarnath, a popular Hindu temple, tucked away in the lap of Garhwal Himalayas, some 221 km from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. Lying against the backdrop of the magnificent Kedarnath Mandir Range, at an altitude of 3580 meters, the splendid Kedarnath Dham is where the devotees come seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath Mandir is said to have been constructed by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century A.D. The nearby flowing Mandakini River, mesmerizing vistas and splendid sceneries in the form of the snow-clad mountains, rhododendron forests, and salubrious environment make Kedarnath Dham Yatra, a tranquil and picturesque place to be at.
The devotees experience immense peace of mind while undertaking a Kedanath temple spiritual tour. The temple and nature’s milieu is so divine that it always rekindles human beings’ faith in the Almighty. The temple has survived one of the worst flash floods in 2013 of all time in the state, hence enhancing its sacredness and the mystique in the eyes of the devotees. Devotees flock to Kedarnath pilgrimage tour site every year,as a part of Chardham Yatra circuit. Indeed, Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is one of the most prominent pilgrimages, particularly for the Hindus and spiritual seekers.
The sacred shrine of Kedarnath is said to have been built in the 8th century AD by Adi Shankaracharya at the place adjacent to a spot where the Pandavas of the Mahabharata fame are believed to have constructed a temple. The most popular legend of Kedarnath takes us to the time of Pandavas who after killing their half-brothers, Kauravas in the infamous war were seeking forgiveness from Lord Shiva on the advice of Lord Krishna. It was in Guptkashi that they could spot Lord Shiva who was hiding from them disguised in the form of Nandi, the bull. But one of the Pandavas, Bheema could identify Lord Shiva and chased to only catch him through his tail, while the rest of the body vanished, through a secret cave underneath the ground.
adjacent to a spot where Pandavas of the Mahabharata fame are believed to have constructed a temple. The most popular legend of Kedarnath takes us to the time of Pandavas who after killing their half-brothers, Kauravas in the infamous war were seeking forgiveness from Lord Shiva on the advice of Lord Krishna. It was in Guptkashi that they could spot Lord Shiva who was hiding from them disguised in the form of Nandi, the bull. But one of the Pandavas, Bheema could identify Lord Shiva and chased to only catch him through his tail, while the rest of the body vanished, through a secret cave underneath the ground.
Lord Shiva, who disappeared from Guptkashi reappeared in five different forms namely, hump at Kedarnath, face at Rudranath, arms at Tungnath, navel, and stomach at Madhyamaheshwar and the locks at Kalpeshwar. Another tale about Kedarnath is related to Nar Narayan who went to Badrika Village to worship Parthiva and as a result Lord Shiva appeared before them. Nara-Narayan asked Shiva to remain there in his original form for the welfare of the humanity. Granting their wish, Lord Shiva stayed in that place which is now known as Kedar, thus he is known as Kedareshwara.
kedarnath nearest places
Phata
Phata is a small village located on the Gopeshwar – Gaurikund Road in the Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand state of India. Phata is at an altitude of 1500 mts and famous for its helipad, which is used by many pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Temple. Some pilgrims stop here to take a break during their journey because it is an ideal destination to get refreshments and overnight stay.
It is also a center point for many famous destinations so travelers or tourists who can enjoy or witness the culture of Uttarakhand, they can visit various popular destination connected to this place.
This place is famous for having an open ground that is being used as a helipad by the helicopter service provider companies. This open ground is located at a distance of 32 km from the main temple of Kedarnath.
Triyuginarayan
According to Hindu mythology, goddess Parvati was daughter of Himavat or Himavan – the personification of the Himalayas. She was the rebirth of Sati, the first wife of Shiva – who sacrificed her life when her father insulted Shiva. Parvati initially tried to allure Shiva by her beauty, but fails. Finally, she won Shiva by practising rigorous penance at Gauri Kund, which is 5 kilometres away from Triyuginarayan. Pilgrims visiting Triyuginaryan temple also visit the Gauri Kund temple, dedicated to Parvati. Mythology states that Shiva proposed to Parvati at Guptakashi (on the road to Kedarnath) before they got married in the small Triyuginarayan village at the confluence of Mandakini and Sone-Ganga rivers.
Triyuginarayan is believed to be the capital of Himavat. It was the venue of the celestial marriage of Shiva and Parvati, during the Satya Yuga, witnessed in the presence of the holy fire that still burns eternally in front of the temple in a Havana-kund or Agni-kund, a four-cornered fireplace on the ground. Vishnu formalised the wedding and acted as Parvati’s brother in the ceremonies while the creator-god Brahma acted as the priest of the wedding that was witnessed by all the sages of the times. The exact location of the wedding is marked by a stone called Brahma Shila, in front of the temple. The greatness of this place is also recorded in a sthala-Purana (a scripture specific to a pilgrimage centre). According to the scripture, pilgrims who visit this temple consider the ashes from the burning fire as holy and carry it with them. It is also believed that ashes from this fire are supposed to promote conjugal bliss.
Sitapur
Sitapur is a beautiful village which is situated on the way to Kedarnath Dham of Uttarakhand. Village lies about 7km before Gauri kund and 26 km ahead of Guptkashi. If you are visiting to Kedarnath then you take stop at this location for accommodation and other facilities.
Sonprayag
Sonprayag is a place of religious significance located in-route to Kedarnath Dham. ‘Prayag’ means confluence and Sonprayag lies at the confluence of two holy rivers Basuki and Mandakini.
Gaurikund
Kedarnath can be reach by taking a 14 kilometer lengthy trek from Gaurikund. The other approach of getting to the temple is by hiring a helicopter from the Government’s helicopter service called ‘Pawan Hans’. This is the place from where the trek to the temple commences. Gaurikund is joined with the tale of Gauri, lord Shiva’s wife, who is supposed to have completed penance here to get Shiva as her husband. After years and years of love did lord Shiva appears and agreed to Gauri’s wish. They both got married just a distance from this spot. Gaurikund has a few thermal springs where people take path before opening their trip to Kedarnath.
There are lots of other places of interest in and in the region of Kedarnath such as Gandhi Sarovar and Gaurikund. There is also Triyuginarayan, said to be the wedding venue of Lord Shiva and Parvati and a flame at the spot is continually kept ablaze. Kedarnath is also the perfect spot for mountain trekking and beautiful treks leading through the virgin jungles and windy mountains are a preferred among adventure sports lovers. One can start trekking from Gaurikund itself. The celestial Jyotirlingas is treated as to posses the divine presence that can provide salvation to those who die at this holy land. And one can find the road to heaven at Mahapanth beyond the shrine
Gauri Kund : Also recognized as Gauri Lake, Parvati Sarovar or the Lake of sympathy, this is the lake where Goddess Parvati had breathed life into Lord Ganesha. Hindus believe this lake to be a holy place and take a ritual bath here. Unhappily, after the 2013 floods, there is only a small stream of water flowing in place of the Kund
Junglechatti
Junglechatti Trishul Complex of GMVN offers pre – fabricated cottages for pilgrims on Kedarnath Route . The Cottages are comfortable and offers basic stay for guests .
Location of Hotel GMVN Junglechatti Trishul Complex Kedarnath
GMVN Trishul Complex in Junglechatti is located enroute Kedarnath Trek . Kedarnath Temple is 12 kms from here , and this location is just 4 kms from Gaurikund .
Rudra Fall
rudra fall is a beautifull waterfall in the way of kedarnath its approx 4 km trekking from gaurikund . the water if coming from glaciers . the rudra fall water if so chilled its near jungle chatti on thr right side of mandakani river .
Bhimbali
Bhimbali is now a major spot now and it is 6 km from Gaurikund. Here you can also have free wifi and lot’s of dhabas to eat food. Food is very simple here. Don’t expect much. “Daal roti khao aur prabhu k gun gao”
Rambara
Rambara spot and old bridge. We decided to from the old route
If anybody saw the Movie “Kedarnath”, then you know what I am talking about. Ramabara used to be the biggest spot and almost at the center of the trek. But now, due to 2013 flood, everything is destroyed. Nothing left except the old bridge. I had goosebumps there. The way mountain was cut down, it was so scary. I was imagining the kind of flood came there, how river swept the whole small village in just few
Lincholi
Location of Hotel GMVN Lincholi Shivlok Cottages Lincholi is located after 11 km of trek from Gaurikund . One can stay at Lincholi if unable to complete the trek of 16 kms to Kedarnath .
chani camp
There is a camp 5 km behind Kedarnath, where arrangements for tea and water are made by the business brothers and there are small shops here, we can not expect big restaurants here. The view of the Himalayas is good from Chhani Camp, due to the high altitude, the view around here looks like
Rudra Point
Beautiful stop over in Kedarnath trek route. Enjoy the 360 degree scenic views of Himalayas. SDRF provides free tea for all pilgrims. Rest here for 15 minutes and start your trek. Click panoramic views of Kedarnath valley. Trek route is beautifully and offers you scenic views. The concrete trek makes your trek easy and convenient. Enjoy your spiritual trek and chant the lord shiva’s name. I visited this temple after Uttarakhand floods. It is 100% safe now and you get a guidance from locals as well as Indian Army. Don’t miss this wonderful lifetime experience of visiting sacred Jyotirling ” Kedarnath “.
This is the part of your divine journey of Baba Kedarnath. All the pilgrims take a break and get refresh to see the mesmerized beauty of this place. Away from din of bustle of town you become the witness of clean sky and healthy breath and sense of gratitude develop itself. Finally I have no power to express in words because words have limit to describe mother nature.,
The base camp for Kedarnath
GMVN Camps/ Tents in Kedarnath
Kedarnath has number of GMVN camps comprising tents and pre fabricated huts for day and night stay for pilgrims. These camps are manage by GMVN department. GMVN Kedarnath provides low cost budget stay in Kedarnath. More than 5000 pilgrims can accommodate in these GMVN camps located in Kedarnath.
All GMVN Kedarnath camps are located nearby Kedarnath helipad or enroute Kedarnath and available on budget price. These camps includes tents, cottages and fabricated compartment bedrooms with bunk beds or ground bedding in order to accomodate more Kedarnath pilgrims. Each Kedarnath Camp/ tent by GMVN has good quality bed provided with warm blanket, as weather in Kedarnath remains cold most of the time. All accommodations are very clean and has separate / common bathrooms/ toilets with adequate water facility.
Kedarnath
The Kedarnath is located in Rudraprayag district, at an altitude of 3583 m & situated at shores of river Mandakini with soaring snow-clad mountain peaks and wooded forests at its backdrop. Kedarnath temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The temple is built of massive & evenly grey stones with a large statue of the Nandi Bull situated outside the temple. The motorable road continues till Gaurikund beyond its 16 Kms trek has to be done to reach Kedarnath. During winter due to heavy snowfall, the Temple remains closed and shifted for six months (from Nov till Apr) to Ukhimath, 20 Kms away from Guptkashi.
The flood of 2013 had ruined the entire Kedarnath town except for the Kedarnath temple & brought massive destruction to the place along with huge human casualties. The Nehru Institute of Uttarakhand had done fast restoration of the shrine & the temple was revamped a year after for devotees.
Where Shiva is adorable, Bhairav himself becomes adorable. Lord Shiva’s darshan is incomplete without Bhairav’s darshan, be it Vishwanath of Kashi or Mahakal of Ujjain. Asitang Bhairav.
There are many examples like Bhishan Bhairav, Sanhar Bhairav, Batuk Bhairav etc. who reside with Shiva. In relation to Kedarnath located in Uttarakhand, it is also believed that without visiting Bhukunt Bhairav, it is believed that
It is not complete. Bhukunt Bhairav is the Kshetrapal deity of Kedarnath region. During the winter stay of Baba Kedarnath, the responsibility of protecting the area falls on the part of Bhukunt Bhairav. Bhukunt Bhairav is always worshiped before the doors of Baba Kedarnath are opened. On the day of Ashadh Sankranti, worshiping Bhukunt Bhairav is wished for world peace and world welfare.
Bhukunt Bhairav is situated to the south of Kedarnath temple. Its distance from the main Kedarnath temple is about half a kilometer. It is believed about this temple situated under the open sky that Bhukunt Baba was the first Rawal of Kedarnath. Before worshiping Baba Kedarnath, Bhukunt Baba was worshiped with full rituals.
Only after the worship is done, the doors of Baba Kedarnath are opened. These idols located in the open are believed to be around 3000 BC. is believed to be. Bhukunt Bhairav is considered the protector of the entire Kedar valley. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, special worship is done to him, in which Bhukunt Bhairav is worshiped for the welfare of the world.
Wishes are made. There is a local belief in relation to Bhukunt Bhairav that he also gives warnings from time to time. It is believed that he keeps an eye on every activity that happens in the courtyard of Baba Kedar. If incarnated in a human body in the form of Pashva, he gives warnings from time to time.
At a distance of 500 m from Kedarnath Temple, Bhairavnath Temple is situated on a hillock towards northern side of the Kedarnath Temple.
Bhairavnath Temple is one of the most popular temples in Kedarnath after Kedarnath temple. This temple is dedicated to God Bhairav, who is supposed to be the main gana of Shiva. The weapon of the Lord is Trishula and his vahan is a dog. The deity of the temple is also known as Kshetrapal or the guardian of the region. According to legend, when Kedarnath Temple closes during winter months due to heavy snow fall, the deity in Bhairavnath temple protects the main temple area as well as the whole Kedarnath valley.
The trek distance from Kedarnath temple to Bhairavnath Temple is 500 meters. The place offers the magnificent views of Kedarnath Temple and entire Kedarnath Valley.
Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi
Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi Kedarnath is thought to be where Adi Shankaracharya converged under the land to accomplish Moksha, opportunity from the outline at age 32. Being one of the incredible scholars and thinkers of the age, Shankaracharya snared and brought together the most significant psyche of Hinduism. Shankaracharya Samadhi is situated just in the rear of the Kedarnath temple. There are high temp hot water pots in this region, which is thought to be made with the guide of Adi Shankara.
The water of this pot is thought to dispose of all the sufferings of the supporters. The underground aquifer is mitigation to the lovers at the intense climatic conditions. The current temple at Kedarnath turned out to be moreover worked by Shankaracharya. Swami Swaroopananda of Sharada Peetham revamped Shankaracharya Samadhi Mandir to 3000 sq. Feet
Be that as it may, the glimmer floods in Kedarnath returned in 2013 activated enormous harms to this temple as well. Visitors can board transports from Kotdwar and Rishikesh to reach to Shankaracharya Samadhi. The closest railroad station is Rishikesh roughly 221 km away.
Shankaracharya Samadhi or the grave of Adi Guru Shankaracharya is arranged in closeness to the Kedarnath Temple. Sri Shankaracharya was a prominent Hindu Sage, who ventured out far and wide to spread the information on Advaita Vedanta. It is likewise accepted that it was he who renovated the Kedarnath Temple in the eighth century and furthermore settled four Mathas.
As per legends, he began his excursion from Jyotirmath Ashram of Badrinath and ventured out to the mountains of Kedarnath, which turned into his last resting place.
What is the Best Time to Visit Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi Kedarnath?
On the off chance that you wish to look for an otherworldly encounter, at that point head directly to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. One of India’s generally well known and loved goals for everything awesome and beautiful, the best time to visit Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi Kedarnath is during the long periods of summer. This is the point at which the climate is mitigating and warm, in contrast to the chilling temperatures of winter, and you can move around the spot serenely. The storm is untrustworthy and can change from sparse precipitation to substantial showers.
Settled in the high overlap of the Himalayan Mountain run in Rudraprayag area, Kedarnath is one of the ‘Burn Dhams’ that numerous Indians visit during their lifetimes. The goal finds colossal worship among the adherents and lovers of Lord Shiva who lives in Kedarnath as Lord Kedar. The entire spot echoes with folklore and has enormous recorded noteworthiness to this country. It is viewed as the lasting habitation of the god, and the scene opens its doors for fans in the long periods of summer, which is the best atmosphere to visit Kedarnath.
Rudra Meditation Cave in Kedarnath
One of the most popular meditation cave which has been often covered in news channels, Rudra Meditation Cave in Kedarnath Dham is a new age meditation cave by GMVN located at 1 kms from Kedarnath temple in nearby mountains. Made up of rocks wall against hills, Rudra Meditation Cave bookings faces huge rush from meditational enthusiasts. The Rudra Meditation Cave is designed in such a way that inspite of thick walls and closed structure, proper air flow takes place through a small window. Also cave faces the Kedarnath and Bhairavnath Temple which takes every meditation to next level.
Gandhi Sarovar: The Gem Of Kedarnath
is also known as Chorabari Tal/Lake because it emerges from Chorabari Bamak Glacier which is situated on the lapse of Kedarnath temple. The Gandhi Sarovar is situated at a height of 3900m (12,800ft) above the sea level. Earlier this lake was named as kanti Sarovar, but in 1948 the Ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was found in the lake which resulted in changing the name of the lake to Gandhi Sarovar.Due to this many devotees taking interest in coming to this beautiful lake.Gandhi Sarovar is also famous for it’s kathas like in early time Lord Shiva uses to give Yoga lessons to Saptarishis in this lake. Now a days travelers coming to kedarnath dham usually go to gandhi sarovar also as it is sitauted in the middle of the beautiful himalayas and in the route to the lake you will also find a beautiful waterfall which is named as Madhu Ganga Waterfall. Gandhi sarovar is the same glacial lake which causes the tragedy in kedarnath temple on 2013, the heavy rainfall and the breakage of the glacier rises the water level by 7m (23ft) which breaks the dam and due to which this tragedy happened,Gandhi Sarovar is situated on the lapse of kedarnath temple,Trek distance from Kedarnath temple to Gandhi sarovar is around 3kms long but if you are coming directly from Gaurikund than the trek distance increases by 19kms.Gandhi Sarovar trek started from the Iron bridge of Kedarnath which comes before the kedarnath temple and takes you directly to the gandhi sarovar,Morning is the best time to visit gandhi sarovar because wheather changes here frequently.
Mandakini
Mandakini is a tributary of the Alaknanda River. Mandakini originates from the Chorabari Glacier near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, India. Mandakini is fed by Vasukiganga River at Sonprayag. Mandakini joins Alaknanda at Rudraprayag. Alaknanda then proceeds towards Devaprayag where it joins with Bhagirathi River to form the Ganges River. The prefix “mand” (Sanskrit) means “calm” and “unhurried”, and Mandakini thus signifies “she who flows calmly”.
Religious Importance:
The Mandakini is mentioned as one of the transcendental rivers in the holy religious work Srimad Bhagavatam. John Leyden’s 1810 Malay Annals mention that, Parameswara, the founder of the Sultanate of Malacca, carried a sword named Chora Sa Mandakini (Cura Si Manjakini) as part of his royal regalia. The sword is now a part of the Sultan of Perak’s official regalia. The sword is believed to be of Indian origin and between 800 to 1,000 years old.
pleasing to the heart. You can start your journey again after sipping tea by sitting for some time during the journey.
Vasuki Tal
Situated at an altitude of 4,135 metres above sea level in the district of Rudraprayag Vasuki Tal is a high altitude, clear blue glacial lake. Outlining and overlooking the lake are the gloriously majestic, snow-laden Himalayan ranges which form the backdrop for this holy site. This is also one of the least visited and less frequented trekking trails in Uttarakhand and is located at a distance of 8 kms from the holy Char Dham site and one of the holiest Jyotirlingas of Kedarnath. Once you reach there you will be able to savour some of the most splendid views of the surrounding Chaukhamba peaks which look like it protects the entire lake region.
Vasuki Tal, Uttarakhand
History of Vasuki Tal
The pristine glacial waters of Vasuki Tal is set amidst the massive and towering Himalayan peaks which form a charming tone to the entire environment. The entire lake is outlined with the unique and beautiful Himalayan flowers known as Brahma Kamal. This trek is not only a famous trekking and hiking destination for adventure lovers but it is also an important spiritual destination for people seeking some spiritual vitality. This place is considered to be extremely holy since it is believed that as per Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu had descended onto the earthly realm into this lake for a holy bath during the auspicious festival of Raksha Bandhan.
Location
Perched at an elevation of 14,200 feet above sea level on the charming hills of Kedarnath Dham, Vasuki Tal is quickly becoming one of the most sought after tourist destinations in northern India. This place is being visited by not only by adventure seekers but also it is a hub for pilgrim goers and people seeking to amplify some spirituality in their lives. The lake is surrounded by colourful fauna and beautifully unique Brahma Kamal which is only found at high altitude zones. Trekking up to this region is a difficult route so people suffering from BP problems or some physical or mental ailment are advised against taking this journey.
Omkareshwar Temple (where Lord Kedarnath is worshiped for 6 months during winter)
Ukhimath is a pilgrimage site in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, India. It is situated at a distance of 41 km from Rudraprayag at an elevation of 1311 metres. This temple popularly known as Omkareshwar Pith is one of the oldest in the country and houses the dieties of Kedarnath and Madmaheswar during the winter months (November to April). During this time the temple of Kedarnath and Madhmaheshwar remains closed. The dieties are brought here from Kedarnath after Diwali and from Madmaheswar in December and worshipped here for six months. These dieties are taken back in a procession to their original temples in mid May. Ukhimath can be used as center destination for visiting different places located nearby, i.e. Madhmaheshwar (Second kedar), Tungnath ji (Third kedar) and Deoria Tal(natural fresh water lake).
It is believed that the wedding of Usha (Daughter of Vanasur) and Anirudh (Grandson of Lord Krishna) was solemnized here. This place was named as Ushamath after the name of Usha and is now known as Ukhimath.
Ukhimath is dotted with several artistic ancient temples dedicated to Usha, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Aniruddha and Mandhata. Ukhimath is mainly inhabited by the Rawals who are the head priests (pundits) of Kedarnath. Snow capped peaks of the splendid Himalayan range are distinctly visible from Ukhimath. From Ukhimath on a clear day one can see the beautiful view of Kedarnath peak, Chaukhamba & other green beautiful valley. Ukhimath is connected by direct bus service with Rudraprayag Gaurikund, Guptkashi & Srinagar.
At the temple, there is one stone statue of Mandhata. According to the legend, this emperor, during his last years gave up everything including his empire and came to Ukimath and did penance for 12 years by standing on one leg. At the end Lord Shiva appeared in the form of ‘sound’ , ‘Omkar’, and blessed him. From that day onwards this place came to be known as Omkareshwar.
Activities around Kedarnath
The surroundings of Kedarnath Temple that imbibe the charm and divine aura of the shrine has spectacular attractions on offer. While sightseeing makes the most part of the activities around Kedarnath, there is a fair chance of paying homage to other sacred temples and relishing adrenaline filled trekking expeditions as well.
Due to its elevation and geographical location, Kedarnath Temple remains open to the pilgrims for a period of six months. The end of April or beginning of the month of May is chosen for the opening of the portals of this high altitude sacred Hindu shrine. The temple closes right after Diwali and its deity is brought to Ukhimath where its worship continues for next six months of winter. Therefore the best time to visit Kedarnath Dham is between April and November with April to mid-June and October to mid-November being ideal most.
The month of April marks the beginning of summer season in Uttarakhand. It is the time of the year when the ice melts and with the help of the army, the roads are cleared for the commencement of pilgrimage from April end. The average temperature in Kedarnath during summer ranges from 2℃ to 19℃.
Mid-June marks the commencement of monsoon season in Kedarnath. Even though the temperature touches the mark of 19℃, heavy rains keep it a tad difficult for trekking. Though it has to be noted with right gears and guidance, you can still trek to Kedarnath in monsoon season.
The portals of Kedarnath close in the winter season that begins right after the day of Diwali. The temperature dips to sub zero and the deity from the temple is brought to Ukhimath to be worshipped for next six months.
Kedarnath boasts of some picturesque and soul-soothing surroundings which include surreal high altitude lake like Vasuki Tal, the snow-clad mountains, soulful destinations like Ukhimath and Rudraprayag and sacred destinations like Gaurikund. These places come together to weave an aura that must not be missed
Prabhatam Aviation: Another trustworthy tour operator in the state providing its services from many years and has been successful in achieving its aim.
Being a religious place the food available here is mostly Satvik i.e. devoid of any onion or garlic. There is a range of road side food and snack stalls available. The food quality is freshly prepared but of average quality. Hotels offer some different food cuisines of various varieties which appeals to the travelers. Close to the parking lot there are also a range of hotels present in a row offering a number of food items. While trekking to the main Dham temple you will also have the option to gorge on some average quality food selections. All in all it is advised for you to not keep your hopes up in case of food.
Location
The main temple shrine of Yamunotri is located at a distance of 13 kms from the holy town of Hanuman chatty and at a 6 km of walking distance from Jankichatti. If you are opting for an alternate method of travelling like ponies and palanquins then your journey towards the Dham will commence from here. The motorable road goes on until Janki Chatti through Syana Chatti which is situated at a distance of 50 kms from Barkot. Once you reach Jankichatti then you will be required to trek for 5 kms. This hamlet is located right among the lush greenery, gushing water and exhilarating meadows. The location of Yamunotri Dham is extremely breathtaking and the perfect place to become one with nature.
By Rail to Kedarnath : –
The nearest railway station for Kedarnath is Rishikesh railway station and Haridwar Railway Station . Haridwar Railway station to Kedarnath distance is 260 Kilometre . Similarly , Rishikesh to Kedarnath distance is 235 Kilometre . Haridwar railway station has daily train services from Delhi , Patna , Bangalore , Hyderabad , Kolkata , Varanasi , Lucknow , Mumbai , Pune , Nagpur , Indore , Bhopal , Kota , Jaipur , Ranchi , Raipur , Agra , Mathura , Jhansi , Prayagraj , and all over India . From Haridwar and Rishikesh railway station taxies to Kedarnath base Gaurikund is available .
By Road to Kedarnath : –
Kedarnath temple is not directly connected by Road . Kedarnath base is well connected by road from all cities of India . So you can reach Kedarnath base Gaurikund from any place in India by road . You can self – drive to the Kedarnath base . Also , taxies and buses are available .
By Air to Kedarnath –
The nearest airport of Kedarnath is Jolly Grant airport Dehradun . Kedarnath is 240 KM from Dehradun airport . You can hire a taxi to reach Kedarnath from Dehradun Airport . You can also reach Kedarnath by helicopter from Dehradun . Daily helicopter services are available from Dehradun to Kedarnath .
Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath temple is in the Uttarakhand Garhwal region of India . Kedarnath temple is God Shiva Temple . It is at height of 11,750 feet and oxygen level at Kedarnath is around 60 % . Also , Temple is in Himalayan Uttrakhand state of India . Kedarnath is the most visited temple in India . So , Pilgrim seeks the blessing of God Shiva in Kedarnath Temple , Holy Kedarnath temple closes in November every year due to heavy snowfall in the Kedarnath region . That makes it impossible to reach Kedarnath temple . Because of heavy snow , all path leads to Kedarnath temple submerge in snow Every year temple opens in April or May . Devotees eagerly wait for this period . So , once the temple is open , people come from all across India and the globe to get the blessing of God Kedarnath .
Delhi to Haridwar 206 km –> Haridwar to Rishikesh 24 km –> Rishikesh to Devprayag 74 km –> Devprayag to Srinagar 34 km –> Srinagar to Rudraprayag 33 km –> Rudraprayag to Gaurikund (via Tilwara-Agastmuni-Chandrapuri-Kund-Guptkashi-Phata-Sitapur-SonPrayag) 74 kms –> Gaurikund to Kedarnath (by trek) 14 kms
Located between the two mountains Nar and Narayan, Badrinath Dham is a majestic sight as well as the the most important of all the Char Dhams. Lakhs of tourist come every year to this sacred Badrinath town to seek blessings and to get a glimpse of the famous temple of Shri Badrinathji.
Badrinath is the only Shrine which is part of both Chota Char Dham and India Char Dham. Badrinath is one among four pilgrimage centres in four corners of India. Among them were Badrikashram (Badrinath Temple) in the North, Rameshwaram in South, Dwarkapuri in west and Jagannathpuri in east.
Bhagvat Puran Describes: There in Badrikashram the Supreme being (Vishnu), in his incarnation as the sages Nar & Narayan, had been undergoing great penance since time immemorial for the welfare of all living entities.
The Badrinath tirtha derives its name from the native word Badri, which refers to a variety of wild berry. Badrinath temple history has its own uniqueness and Legendaryness. There are a lot of tales about Badrinath temple. It is stated that when Lord Vishnu sat in penance in these mountains, His spouse Goddess Laxmi took the appearance of a berry tree and shielded Him from the fierce sun. It is not only the Lord’s dwelling place, but also the abode of countless pilgrims, saints, and sages who come to meditate in search of enlightenment.
According to SkandPuran the idol of Lord Badrinath was recovered by Adiguru Shankaracharya from NaradKund and was re-enshrined in the 8th century A.D. in this temple. Skanda Purana describes more about the place and says: “There are several sacred shrines in heaven, on earth, and in hell; but there is no shrine like Badrinath.”
In the history of Badrinath, the sages Nara and Narayana, the ‘fifth avatar of Lord Vishnu’, practised penance in the temple, according to the Vamana Purana. The religious narratives from several ancient Hindu scriptures abound in Badrinath. According to mythic, Badrinath is often called as Badri Vishal, and was a place of pilgrimage for Hindus.
Tourist Places Near Badrinath
There are many pilgrimage and tourist places to visit near Badrinath Temple, some of them are trekking and skiing destinations as well. In Badrinath, there is so much to discover. Here is the list of sites, which pilgrimages can visit during their 4 dham yatar or Badrinath Tour.
Saraswati River
The Indian population have always worshipped the river systems that run across the entire subcontinent. These riversides have been host to the earliest civilisations in the world. Having found its mention in the important Hindu text of Rig Veda this river plays an important role to Hindus. the history of this river is very tumultuous and its location is reported to have changed over a period of time. rig Veda mentions the river to be in between Yamuna in the east and Sutlej in the west while in later Vedic texts it is mentioned that the river had dried up into a desert. Whatever the history of Saraswati river is, it does not lessen the importance in a religious and holy context.
Origin of Saraswati River
The river Saraswati is one of the tributaries for Alaknanda river whose source can be traced back to the grand Satopanth glacier and Bhagirathi Kharak glacier. Flowing through tight spaes in between the mountains this river meets Alaknanda at Keshav Prayag which is located close to the last village of India on the China border. Once the confluence takes place with Saraswati river, Alaknanda merges with Ganga in Devprayag which is then named Bhagirathi. One of the most popular tourist spots is a natural stone bridge built across the river called Bhim Pul in Mana which can easily be visited during Badrinath visit since it is situated at a mere distance of 3 kms from Badri Vishal.
Charan Paduka
At a distance of 3 km from Badrinath, Charanpaduka or Charan Paduka is a beautiful rock, which is believed be holding the foot prints of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the darshan of these footprints will relieve visitors from all aliments.
The Charan Paduka is perched at an elevation of 3,380 feet above sea level. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu set his foot on earth at this place. Bhagwat Purana says that Lord Sri Krishna advised his minister Uddhav to proceed to Badrinath with his Charan Paduka to get rid of his wrongdoings.
Charan Paduka can be reached by 3 km trek from Badrinath. The path towards Charan Paduka is on the left side of Badrinath temple. Walk few meters and on the right side you will see stairs going upwards. Follow the stairs to reach Charan Paduka situated at Narayan Parvat. The 3 km uphill trek takes about 1.5 hours to reach Charan Paduka.
The view from Charan Paduka is excellent. At one side you can watch Neelkanth Peak and the other side Nar Parvat. On the left side of Charan Paduka is Rishi Ganga flowing through a manmade diversion to create a waterfall. There are several caves and boulders on the path which lead to Charanpaduka. The rock holds a medical unit of Badrinath shrine board. This medical unit is well equipped and it holds all basic medical amenities.
Mata Murti Mandir
At a distance of 4 km from Badrinath Bus Stand, Mata Murti Mandir is an ancient Hindu temple situated on the banks of river Alaknanda near Badrinath.
This temple is dedicated to Mata Murti, who is the mother of two sons Narayan and Nara. According to mythological belief, Mata Murti had prayed to Lord Vishnu to come out of her womb and take his next incarnation (avatar). Lord Vishnu agreed and came to this world in the form of twins, Nara and Narayana, from her womb to kill a demon.
There is a popular belief that the goddess has the power to grant detachment to those who meditate here sincerely. It is frequently visited by visitors to worship the mother idol on Shukla Tritiya, Ashtami and Chaturdashi. The mother of Shri Badrinath is worshiped with great devotion at the time of Mata Murti Ka Mela.
Timings: 6 am – 6 pm
Mana Village:
of the most scenic and cultural heritage places is ‘Mana village,’ which resides in the midst of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 3200 meters.
It is also an important part of Indian mythology scripture ‘The Mahabharata’ as this was the place the Pandavas crossed before continuing their journey to heaven.
The place is at a distance of 4 KM from the great pilgrimage ‘Badrinathji.
The way to travel to this village is by booking a taxi, which costs around Rs. 300 for one side or trekking, which is preferable because this 4 KM of trek holds the most beautiful and iconic mountain points in between, and no one would want to miss that.An interesting part about this place is that the people take pride in living in this village and most of their shops have hoardings that say ‘India’s last village shop.’
Shri Ghantakarna:
There are many folktales, mythological evidences and legends about the origin of Shri Ghantakarna. Shri Ghantakarna is considered one of the Bhairav incarnation of Mahadev Shiva. Shri Ghantakarna is considered a public beneficiary deity in Hinduism as well as in Jainism, Buddhism. In the Garhwal division of Uttarakhand, in Tehri, Podi, and Badrinath, Shri Ghantakarna is considered as the Kshetrapal deity.
The idols of Bhairavs dancing in a boat have also been engraved on the stones of the world famous Sun Temple of Konark to Shri Ghantakarna. A statue of Ghantakarna is in a calm state and is in a fierce form.
The Shaktipeeth of Assam is the temple of Shri Ghantakarna near Maa Kamakhya temple. There is a mention of Shri Ghantakarna in a story of Rabindranath Tagore.
In Garhwal, Ghantakarna is considered to be a great, powerful and shield-bearing deity, who bestows wealth and happiness. There is a temple of Ghantakarna in Badrinath and it is called Devdarshini (God see). Before worshiping Lord Badrinath, there is a law to worship Shri Ghantakarna. Ghantakarna is considered to be the Kshetrapal (protector) of Badrinath Dham, so the doors of the Ghantakarna temple are opened before the deception of Badrinath, which is closed only after the deception of Badrinath.
Ghantakarna is revered and worshiped in the limbo of the Himalayas. In Tehri Garhwal, Khili, Lostu, Pauri Garhwal, Khirshu, Chinese, Bali Kandarsun, Chopda Kot and Dudhatoli, Ghantakarna is worshiped everywhere. In Lostu, Shri Ghantakarna’s Jatra is organized every 12 years like a Mahakumbh.
The presence of Virbhadra in Rishikesh, Mahabal in Ghandyal and Manibhadra in Badrinath also attests to the dominance of Shiva and his Ganas over this entire region.
But in some folklore a different story goes about Ghantakarna. In the Jagaras, he is said to be the son of the Pandavas i.e. Arjuna (Khati) and Subodh (Subhadra) and the nephew of Narayan (Krishna). He is considered as Abhimanyu. Whereas in Chinese Pauri, the son of Bhima and Hidimba (Ghatotkacha) is considered to be Barbarik. Remember that Barbareek is famous in Rajasthan by the name of Shyamkhatu.
Ghantakarna is also worshiped in South India and Gujarat, in Kerala the dance drama of Lord Krishna meeting Krishna in Leelas is described. Shri Ghantakarna is also considered as the commander of Yaksha Raj Kuber. Shri Ghantakarna was also one of the Shiva ganas who broke the yagya of Daksha Prajapati.
According to the Puranas, the origin of Shri Ghantakarna has been said that when Shiva’s son Skandha i.e. Kartikeya was made the commander of the Dev army to kill Tarak Asura in the Devasura battle, Brahma created four mighty heroes to protect him, whose speed was wind. and he could increase or decrease his power at will. Ghantakarna was one of them. The names of other heroes are Nandisen, Lohitaksha and Kumudamalin.
These are the symbols of the five expressions of Param Shiva, Sadyojat, Omdev, Aghor, Tatpurush and Ishaan. In Satyuga, these monoakshars were known as Shivacharya, ‘Dwikshara Shivacharya’, ‘Tri Kshar’, ‘Shivacharya’, ‘Chatusakshara Shivacharya’ and ‘Panchakshara Shivacharya’
In Kali Yuga, they incarnated as Revanasiddha, Marulasiddha, Ekorama, Panditaradhya and Visvaradhya and they rendered the Lingayat sect. Thus Shri Ghantakarna was born in Kaliyuga as Ekoram Acharya from Bhimashankar Linga and he established Kedar Peeth. And likewise other Acharyas also appeared from different genders.
Shri Ghantakarna is also known as Mahabal. According to Linga Purana, when Lord Shiva incarnated in the form of Guhavasi in the 17th Dwapar Yuga, he had sons named Utthya, Vamdev, Mahayog and Mahabal.
In Jain texts, the name of Shri Ghantakarna has been mentioned as Mahabala or Tungabhadra, who was the king of Ratna Sanchayi / Manglavati Nagar who later became famous as Abhinandan Nath. In Jain legends, he is worshiped as the 30th Ghantakarna Mahabir out of 52 protector heroes. There is a temple in Mahudi in Gujarat which is famous in Jain society all over India. In another story, he is described as the king of Srinagar Shriparvat. There is a special law of worship of Ghantakarna in Jain literature and there is a law of chanting the mantra of Ghantakarna for various remedies like death, mohan, upliftment, attainment of Lakshmi, freedom from diseases. In Jain stories, Shri Ghantakarna is known as the deity who removes negative energies and obstacles.
According to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, Mahabala is the incarnation of Amitabha and is the Dikpala of the North-West direction.
Shri Ghantakarna’s loyalty to Shiva is unbreakable. Ghantakarna was an ardent devotee of Shiva and he did not like to hear even the name of any other deity, so he kept bells in his ears.
Shiva wanted to make them understand that there is no difference between Shiva and Vishnu. Therefore he appeared before Shri Ghantakarna in the form of Harihara i.e. half Vishnu and half Shiva. At that time, Ghantakarna was offering him novaidhya. When Ghantakarna saw that the fragrance of Novaidhya was going into Vishnu’s nostrils, he put his fingers in his nostrils so that the fragrance could only enter the nostrils of Lord Shiva.
Shri Ghantakarna is as simple and kind as his East Lord Mahadev Shiva. Whatever the devotees ask for, Shri Ghantakarna fulfills them. He is also worshiped as Kshetrapal or Chhetrapal. Like Mother Shakti, her vehicle is also a lion. And the bow and arrow and the mace are their weapons.
Devotees join their caste (jatra). They are offered bread made of flour and jaggery, fruits and liquids. Shriphal’s offerings are considered to be the best. For thousands of years he has been in our consciousness and will remain so.
The following mantra of Shri Ghantakarna is considered to be the medicine of all diseases.
श्री घंटाकर्ण मूल मंत्र
ॐ घंटाकर्ण महावीर, सर्वव्याधि विनाशक,
विस्फोटक भयम प्राप्तो रक्ष रक्ष महाबल||1||
यत्र त्वम् तिष्टते देव, लिखितोअक्षर पंक्तिभी,
रोगास्तत्र पर्णश्यान्ती , वात पित कफोढ्भावा||2||
तत्र राज भयं नास्ति, यान्ति कर्ने जपक्ष्यम,
शाकिनी भूत बेताल, राकक्षासा च प्रभवतिन ||3||
न अकाले मरणम तस्य न सर्पेंन द्स्यन्ते,
अग्निस्चौर भयम नास्ति , घंटाकर्णओ नमोस्तुते ||4||
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीं घंटाकर्णये ठ: ठ : ठ: स्वाहा
जय श्री घंटाकर्ण
Ganesh Gufa
There is a place named Vyas Pothi in Mana village, about 3 kilometers from Badrinath in Uttarakhand, near the border of India and China. Here is the cave (Vyas Gufa Mana) of Maharishi Ved Vyas, the author of Mahabharata. There is also Ganesh cave near Vyas cave. It is believed that this is the same cave where Maharishi Ved Vyas ji spoke the Mahabharata and Lord Ganesha wrote it. In this cave situated amidst the dense valleys of the Himalayas, Lord Ganesha continued to write as Ved Vyas ji spoke. In this way the holy epic Mahabharata was composed. Devotees believe that even today Ved Vyas ji and Lord Ganesha are present in this cave.
Devotees going on Badrinath Yatra do not forget to visit this place. The idol of Lord Ganesha is installed in the Ganesh cave. Its roof is of a mountain. Its circumambulation is done from the mountain itself. The temple of Vyas ji is built in the Vyas cave. In the temple there is a statue of Vyas ji along with his son Shukdev ji and Vallabhacharya. Apart from these, an ancient idol of Lord Vishnu is also established here. On entering this cave, there is an immense feeling of peace and spiritual happiness. On one side of this place is the Badrinath Dham, the abode of Lord Vishnu, while on the other side is the origin of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge in the form of a river
Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, is considered a well-wisher and the god of wisdom and intellect. In such a situation, whenever any auspicious work is done, before that Lord Ganesha is remembered. When Ved Vyas ji thought of composing the Mahabharata, he not only remembered Lord Ganesha but also got him ready to write the Mahabharata. However, Lord Ganesha had put a condition for this that you keep on telling the story continuously. If you stop anywhere, I’ll leave the writing job. It is said that Vyas ji also followed the rule. Looking at the Vyasa cave from outside, it seems as if several texts are stacked on top of each other. Hence it is also called Vyas Pothi. According to other belief, the Pandavas went to heaven through this village, but due to the cold, all the four Pandavas and Draupadi got lost, only Yudhishthira could withstand the cold due to following the righteousness and truth and could reach heaven in the body. There are many such caves or places of ancient times on earth, where some secrets are definitely hidden. Today we are going to tell you about such a cave of Mahabharata period, where such a secret is hidden, about which no one knows and it is believed that even after wanting that secret, no human can know. This mysterious cave is in Mana village of Uttarakhand. This village is called ‘Last Village of Hindustan’ or ‘Last Village of Uttarakhand’.This cave full of mysteries is known as ‘Vyas Cave’. Although it is a small cave, it is said that thousands of years ago Maharishi Ved Vyas had compiled the Vedas and Puranas by staying in this cave. It is also believed that in this cave Ved Vyasa composed the epic Mahabharata with the help of Lord Ganesha.Ved Vyas Cave is also famous throughout the country for its unique roof. On seeing this ceiling, it seems as if many pages are stacked one on top of the other. There is a mysterious belief about this roof. It is said that this is that part of the story of Mahabharata, about which no one knows except Maharishi Ved Vyas and Lord Ganesha.It is believed that Maharishi Ved Vyas had got Lord Ganesha to write those pages of Mahabharata, but he did not include them in that epic and he turned those pages into stone with his power. Today the world knows these mysterious pages of stone by the name of ‘Vyas Pothi’.Now the thing to think about is that what was that secret, which Ved Vyas did not want to tell to the world. Well, whether this ‘lost chapter’ of Mahabharata is true or a story, no one knows about it, but at first glance, the ceiling of Vyas cave looks like a giant book is kept on it.. Even today in Mana, the last village of India, the police who take the Pandavas to heaven are present. According to mythological belief, while going to heaven, this bridge has been built by Mahabali Bhima by pulling two rocks.This huge bridge made of two rocks is near Badrinath. This is where this Bhimpul is built on the Saraswati river.The one who is going to heaven in the last village of IndiaThis astonishing bridge has been built connecting both the banks of the river with a large stone rock. The Saraswati river flows below it.According to mythological beliefs, this feat of building a bridge with such large and heavy stones was done by Pandu’s son Mahabali Bhima.According to the beliefs, when the Pandavas reached this place to go towards heaven, Draupadi was afraid to cross the river after coming here.When the Saraswati river refused to ask for a way by the Pandavas, in anger, Bhima pulled the rock and built a bridge over the river for Draupadi. Since then this bridge has been named as Bhim Pul.Saraswati, considered invisible, flows from under this bridge with great speed and noise. Later this river becomes invisible after meeting the Alaknanda. After this the Saraswati river becomes invisible.It also has a mythological belief that when Saraswati refused to give way, Bhima angrily hit the ground with his mace, causing the river to flow into the Hades.
Muchkund Gufa
Muchkund was the ancestor of Lord Rama. On helping the Devas against the Asuras, he asked Indradev to sleep without any inhibitions. Together it was said that whosoever disturbs the sleep, it will be consumed immediately. After that he went to this cave. The Kalayavan demon was after Lord Krishna. To get rid of Kalayavan, Lord Krishna came to the same cave where Muchkund was sleeping. Kalayavan also came there and challenged Muchkund in the dark. Muchkund’s eyes fell on Kalayavan and he was consumed there.
Vasudhara Falls
Waterfalls have always fascinated the human imagination. Located 5 km west of Mana village, Vasudhara is a 145 m high waterfall surrounded by snow-capped peaks, glaciers and high cliffs. The strong wind sometimes scatters the entire volume of the waterfall and it appears as if the waterfall has stopped for a minute or two, giving rise to many superstitious thoughts in the minds of the local people. by road
Vasudhara is on a 7 km trek from Mana village which is situated at a distance of 2 km from Badrinath. State transport buses ply regularly between Badrinath and Rishikesh (280 km). Local transport Union and state transport buses and taxis run regularly between Badrinath and Rishikesh (280 km), Haridwar (300 km), Dehradun (325 km) and Delhi (540 km).
Satopanth Lake :
Satopanth Tal is a lake in Uttarakhand, India, located in the midst of snow-capped peaks at an altitude of 4,600 metres (15,100 ft) above sea-level. The lake is considered to be of religious significance to the local people; residents of Mana village throw the ashes of the dead in the lake Many people believe that the Trimoortis, viz, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, bathe in the lake in an auspicious day. Also some types of birds are found here, which pick up the pollutants of the lake and thus keep the lake clean. These birds are not found anywhere.[clarification needed] The local belief is that they are the Gandharvas disguised, who guard the lake against evils
An untouched Glacier Lake, Satopanth Tal is a triangle-shaped hidden treasure amidst the magnificent Garhwal region. The destination happens to be an impeccable religious site for the locals and is believed that the three supreme deities of Hinduism, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara meditated on the three different corners. Nestled at a huge elevation of 4600 meters above sea level, this crystal clear green water lake is beautifully bedecked amid the snow-shrouded peaks.
This renowned trekking trail in Uttarakhand holds immense significance in Hinduism and attracts thousands of travelers from all across the globe. A massive crowd of devotees treks to this lake on solar and lunar fortnights to take bath into it as this is considered very auspicious. This gorgeous site also offers a great opportunity to have glimpses of the Himalayas.
Along with enjoying the thrilling trekking experience, one can also witness the surreal beauty of the scenic vistas and the glory of the gorgeous Vasudhara Falls. In addition, the traveler also gets an opportunity to capture the awe-inspiring views of Himalayan gigantic such as Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, and Swargarohini.
Niti Valley and Niti Pass:
Subject: Geography
Context: There are many villages which has been cut-off due to recent flood in Uttarakhand
Concept:
The Uttarakhand flood has cut-off this and other remote villages.
Niti Valley is one of northernmost region of the Uttarakhand. It is the las village in the valley before border meets with the South Tibet.
Niti Pass is an ancient trade route between India and China which was closed post 1962 war.
They are mostly inhabited by Bhotiyas or Chamoli’sMarchas, a community of Mongoloid origin.
The adverse weather conditions make the area inhabitable only for 6 to 8 months leading to practice of transhumance in the region
Malari village:
Malari village is situated in the extremely isolated corners of the Dhauli Ganga valley. This tiny village lies in the Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve near the Tibet border. A World Heritage site, this area is located 61 km from Joshimath, in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand.
Almost everyone has heard of the Valley of Flowers (and rightfully so), but no one is aware of the Valley of Perfumes located near to this village! The Valley of Perfumes is home to hundreds of species of flowers, all adding up to make for the most magnificent of aromas. The valley can be reached using two-wheelers and while your sense of sight has been gifted enough during this trip, your sense of smell will be delighted too! Must visit.
Govindghat:
Situated on the way to Badrinath at the convergence of the Rivers Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga in the Chamoli district is a beautiful town named Govindghat. A pristine destination of Garhwal, Govindghat is visited by not just the devotees but also the adventure lovers. This place is situated at an altitude of 1800 m and is considered an appropriate base for those heading to the popular pilgrimage site of Hemkund Sahib and the breathtaking Valley of Flowers. This famous tourism place in Uttarakhand
Timmarsain Mahadev:
Baba Barfani, eternal name of Lord Shiva, is present near border village Niti in Uttarakhand. Local villagers regularly pay respect at Baba Barfani cave for past many decades. Here Baba Barfani could be seen same as in Amarnath. Now outside world could also visit this sacred shrine of Lord Shiva where Baba Barfani can be seen for 2-3 monthsLocally named ‘Babuk Udiyar‘, Baba Barfani can be seen in the cave located in a place named Timarsain. This sacred cave also locally named as Timarsain Niti Mahadev Temple due to its location in Timarsain, Niti. This Timarsain Mahadev yatra is also called ‘Saunsa Yatra‘ by local people.Timarsain Mahadev – Baba Barfani
Located on Joshimath-Niti highway, just 1 km before world famous Niti village, Lord Shiva shivling is situated in a cave at 700 mtrs from the main road on the Timarsain mountain. Villagers always pay respect in the summer months. During the retreat of winters, an icy Shivling same as Baba Barfani in Amarnath develop in this cave too. This Baba Barfani is very huge, about 2-3 feet of height, which makes it a sacred site to visit for Lord Shiva devotees. Locals called it Baba Barfani and has been worshiping here for many decades. Baba Barfani could be seen from March till mid of April every year.Location of Baba Barfani Timarsain Mahadev Temple
Baba Barfani Timarsain Mahadev Temple is situated on the hill named as Timarsain. The temple is located at 700 mtrs from the main highway, just 1 kms before Niti village. The temple is located at 82 kms from Joshimath.
Pandukeshwar:
Pandukeshwar is a sacred place located in-route to abode of Lord Vishnu ‘Badrinath’ at an elevation of 1829 mtrs. At a distance of 18 km from Joshimath, Pandukeshwar, as per believe is the place where King Pandu, father of great Pandavas of Mahabharat epic, worshipped Lord Shiva.
There are two famous temples in Pandukeshwar. Yogadhyan Badri Temple, one of ‘Sapta Badri’ or seven Badri’s and other is Lord Vasudev Temple. Yogadhyan Badri Temple is the abode of Utsava-murti (festival-image) in winters when Badrinath is closed. Lord Vasudev Temple was believed to be built by Pandavas
Ghangaria:
Ghangharia – A Valley in the Woods
Ghangaria is nestled on the confluence of River Pushpawati (coming from Valley of Flowers) and River Hemganga (coming from Hemkund Sahib, also known as Lakshman Ganga). This dewy place is snuggled in the bosom of the Himalayas and is the last human settlement on the Bhyundar Valley.
Ghangaria is a major stopover for travelers, visiting Hemkund and the Valley of Flowers. This bijou place is coiffed at an elevation of 3,050 meters in Uttarakhand. Ghangaria is covered by a thick blanket of snow during winters and remains closed between December-April.
About Badrinath Temple
Badrinath Temple, also known as Badrinarayan Temple, is a well-known Char Dham Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in Badrinath town. Along with the Badrinath temple, the Town of Badrinath has the Panch Badri temples including Yog Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri, and Vriddha Badri.The temple has North Indian style architecture with stone walls and carvings, as well as a colourful and powerful entrance gate.
Shree Badrinath Temple is divided into three sections
The Garbha Griha portion of the Badrinath shrine has its canopy covered with a sheet of gold. The complex has 15 idols especially attractive is the one-metre-high image of lord Badrinarayan, finely sculpted in black stone. It represents Lord Vishnu seated in meditative pose called padmasan. The Darshan Mandap is a place in the Temple complex where devotees and pilgrims gather to pray for good fortune. Every puja must be preceded by a holy dip in the Tapta Kund. Unlike most Hindu temples, they are performed in the presence of the devotees.
Every year, the Badrinath Temple opening dates are determined in the month of April-May & closes for winters in the third week of November. As a result, the temple is closed for 6 months every year, during which time prayers to Badri Vishal are held in the Narsimha temple in Joshimath. This year Badrinath Temple has been closed for winter and will reopen on May 8 at 6.15 a.m.
Generally, the priests announce the dates for the opening of Badrinath Temple on Basant Panchami.Badrinath remains open for pilgrims from April-May till October-November and remain closed for winter months. Lord Badri Vishal worship continues to takes place at Winter Abode of Lord Badrinath, Narsimha Temple in Joshimath.
Before the closing date of Badrinath temple doors, the priests light a lamp in front of the idol in the sanctum. It is stated that throughout the winter months, Narad Muni, who obtained salvation here, continues with the prayer rituals. This notion is reinforced by the fact that when the temple is reopened after six months in spring, the lamp is still seen to be flickering
Weather in Badrinath is quite pleasant and cheerful all year. But the best time to visit Badrinath is between May and November. Visitors may have trouble visiting the temple during the monsoon season (late June to August) because to severe rain. March to June is very pleasant with moderate climate, with average around 18°C. Summers is ideal for all sightseeing and pilgrimage.July to mid-September is accompanied with scanty rains and also temperature drops down to 15°C. The region is prone to occasional landslides and travelling can be difficult.
November to April are chilly days with average minimum touching near 5°C. Minimum can touch sub-zero levels and snow falling seen very often during winters. Because of the Badrinath weather in winters, temple is closed during this time for 6 months.
The best season to visit Badrinath is undoubtedly during the summer months of May to June, followed by September and October. Summers are mild and attracts a large number of visitors.
Devotees can now book online pooja in advance for Badrinath Puja / Bhog/ Paath/ Aarti at a fair price. All pujas in Badrinath are done with immense mantrocharans and in a holy way by devoted priests.
It is a fairly simple procedure to book online puja in Badrinath temple. First, register at the Badri-Kedar website, log in to the website, then choose Puja/Bhog/Paath /Aarti. Enter your information correctly and make an online payment. Pujas of various kinds are performed in Badrinath.
There are separate rates for online Puja and advance Puja slots at the temple. You can select and book it accordingly. While sitting at your home, you can easily book the Puja slots with these simple steps.
Badrinath is a Hindu holy town and a Nagar panchayat in Chamoli district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Where is Badrinath located? It is located at an elevation of 11204 feet (3415 m), in the shadow of Nilkanth Peak. This town is well-served by all major forms of transportation, including air, rail, and road. The quickest way to go to Badrinath is by car or train.
There is no direct bus or train service to Badrinath. To get to Badrinath, you must first travel to Haridwar/Rishikesh. Once in Haridwar or Rishikesh, you may easily catch a direct bus or taxi to Badrinath.
The location of Badrinath is easily accessible by road as compared to airways and railways. It is located at a distance of 525 Km from Delhi & 296 Km from Rishikesh.
Now the question is how to reach Badrinath. There are regular buses operating to Badrinath from Delhi, Haridwar and Rishikesh.Well connected to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Dev Prayag, Rudra Prayag, Kotdwar, Joshi Math and other hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon region.
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The national route NH58 connects Delhi to Mana Pass in Uttarakhand, near the Indo-Tibet border, and from there to Badrinath. There is no direct route by Air and Railways between New Delhi and Badrinath. If you are travelling to Badrinath from Delhi, you will need to change modes of transportation either once or several times. However, if you have your own vehicle, you can drive directly to the venue.
The overall distance between Delhi and Badrinath is 528 kilometres. And the distance can be covered in almost 12 hours. The best and cheapest way to travel from Delhi is in the pilgrim season of summer months. At that time, buses carry pilgrims from New Delhi to Badrinath via Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Badrinath town got its name from Badrinath Temple. One can travel to the holy town of Badrinath by road, rail and airways.
Travelling by road to Badrinath Temple would be easier from main cities in the North. Usually, Badrinath Temple is visited while on Char Dham trip. Char Dham includes the four pilgrimages i.e. Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Badrinath is the last visit of the trip. Many Travel agencies, particularly in Delhi, Agra, Haridwar and Dehradun provide the buses. The agencies also take care of the accommodation of the tourists. The buses travel up to Dehradun and Haridwar. From here Uttarakhand transportation facilitates further commutation. The allowance of heavy or large vehicles is restricted keeping in mind the geographical conditions. Vehicles with experienced drivers carry a limited number of tourists.
If one wants to directly visit Badrinath temple, the route is similar except that one must manage their own accommodation. Also, one may have to change the mode of transportation from place to another.
The nearest railway station to Badrinath is at Haridwar which is 318 km away. The next nearest railway station to Badrinath is in Dehradun which is 336 km away. Besides, the main stations are in Delhi and Agra also. All these stations connect to the main cities of the country. From Delhi, Haridwar, Agra and Dehradun the route is the same as the road trip. However, one can travel by train to Dehradun or Haridwar and from here by road. It takes around 11 hours from Dehradun to Badrinath. From Haridwar, the journey is 12 hours to Badrinath. This way is simple and easy. The vehicles by Uttarakhand tourism halt at a place closer to the temple.
The nearest airport to Badrinath is the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun at a distance of 310 km. This airport connects the major cities of the country. From this airport, one has to travel by road to Badrinath Temple.
One need not worry about the accommodation if they have booked through travel agencies managing their stay. If that is not the case, one can find their accommodation around the temple. There are enough hotels and Ashrams near the temple to make room for the tourists. Some of the hotels around are New Hotel Snow Crest, Chandralok Hotel, Hotel Dhanesh Joshimath, GMVN Yatri Nivas, Himalayan Saro Resort, Sarovar Portico Badrinath, Hotel Dwarikesh, Narayan Palace Hotel, Pruthavi Seva Sadan, etc. Besides, there are Ashrams facilitate accommodation for a lower price. Some of them are Andhra Ashram, Tatambari Ashram, Sheshnetra Ashram, Sadhu Sudha Ashram, Shri Brahmrishi Sadhna Sangh Ashram, etc. All these are located in the vicinity of the Badrinath Temple.
There are many restaurants around the temple which serve pure vegetarian food. Non- vegetarian food is restricted in the holy premises.
Badrinath is a Hindu holy town and a nagar panchayat in Chamoli district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is located at an elevation of 11204 feet (3415 mts), in the shadow of Nilkanth Peak and between Nar-Narayana Hills, Badrinath is a holy hindu pilgrimage situated on the banks of Alaknanda river.
Kedarnath Popular Route : Delhi → Haridwar (206 km) → Rishikeh (24 km) →) Deoprayag (71 km) → Kirtinagar (30 km) → Shrinagar (4 km) → Rudraprayag (34 km) → Gauchar (20 km) → Karnaprayag (12 km) → Nandprayag (20 km) → Chamoli (11 km) → Birahi (8 km) → Pipalkoti (9 km) → Garur Ganga (5 km) → Helang (15 km) → Joshinath (14 km) → Vishnuprayag (13 km) → Govindghat (8 km) → Pandukeshwar (3 km) → Hanumanchatti (10 km) → Shri Badarinath Ji (11 km).
| # | Discount group | From children | To children | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Madhuban Ashram
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