Journey (yatra) to the Char Dhams of India

An exclusive rejuvenating spiritual journey (yatra) to the Char Dhams of India!

Come and experience divine bliss at India’s four most popular shrines. Char Dhams are the center of Divine effulgence, the most fascinating of all pilgrimages undertaken by the devout and the spiritually charged alike. This unique yatra package to Char Dham takes you to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. While each site is unique in its own way, over a period of time they have come to be viewed together in popular imagination as well as actual pilgrimage practice. A visit to these four sites carries a bonus with it. That is, one can take the opportunity of visiting Gaumukh, (meaning cow's mouth) which is believed to be the source of the Holy River Ganga and is just about 18 kms beyond Gangotri.

Here is a peek into the four Ws and a How of the package:

What?
Nestling in the lofty peaks of Himalayas are the four holiest of the holy pilgrimages – Yamunotri (temple of Goddess Yamunotri), Gangotri (temple of Goddess Gangotri), Sri Kedarnathji (Temple of Lord Shiva) and Sri Badrinathji (Temple of Lord Vishnu) – of the Hindu Pantheon. These are collectively referred to as the Char Dham (four pilgrimage centres). This Yatra also covers various other pilgrimage places in the Himalayas including Haridwar, Rishikesh, Uttarkashi etc.

Why?
According to Hindu scriptures, the Char Dham (meaning "four sacred spots") yatra is the most sacred of all the pilgrimages. Undertaking a journey to Char Dham will not just wash away one's sins but ensure release from the cycle of birth and death. However, for the spiritual seeker, this is a perfect journey which tests one’s endurance and faith in the Supreme Creator and is truly uplifting. Rarely would one come across a soul who does not feel connected in some way as the spiritually charged atmosphere touches one’s very soul.

Where?
CharDham is located in the Garhwal section of the state of Uttarakhand (formerly the northwestern section of Uttar Pradesh) The sacred shrine of Yamunotri, source of the river Yamuna, is the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, perched atop a flank of Bandar Poonch Parvat.. Gangotri is a pilgrim town in Uttarkashi on the banks of river Bhagirathi at an altitude of 3042m. above sea level. Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas, about 3584m above sea level near the head of river Mandakini, accessible only after a steep 14 km trek from Gaurikund. Badrinath is in the Garhwal hills, on the banks of the Alaknanda River, at an elevation of 3133 m.

How?*
Devotees generally start from Delhi covering places like Haridwar, Hanumanchatti and Janakichatti, Badkot and Yamunotri. The second shrine visited is Gangotri which is in Uttarkashi district. From Gangotri proceed towards Kedarnath covering Guptakashi and Gaurikund (14kms trek from Gaurikund). The last Dham visited is Badrinath. We also visit places like Rudraprayag, Auli (Asia’s longest ropeway) and Rishikesh during the yatra. Ponies are available to cover the more difficult parts of the journey at Yamunotri and Kedarnath.

When?
May to October / November (Till Diwali)

Travel to CharDham with Atma Darshan
Atma Darshan’s Chardham package is a 12 nights/ 13 days package, ex Delhi. Please see our detailed itinerary for more details. Other places of visit are Gaumukh, Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib which can be included in the itinerary on individual request. * Kedarnath Darshan can also be done by helicopter. Please contact us for more details.

How to sign up?
Please fill up the Inquiry Form (give link to Contact Us) or contact Sanjeev Nayyar at sanjeev@suryaconsulting.net (+91 98211 12693)

CharDham – Yamunotri – Gangotri - Kedarnath – Badrinath 12 Nights / 13 Days (Ex Delhi)

Day 01: DELHI – HARIDWAR
On arrival at New Delhi Airport / Rly Stn. our representative would meet you & proceed for Haridwar. In the evening visit Har – Ki – Pauri to observe Ganga Aarti at this holy place. Overnight stay at Haridwar.

Day 02: HARIDWAR – BADKOT / RANACHATTI (230kms.)
After an early breakfast you proceed to Badkot/Ranachatti (Base for a trek to Yamunotri). You reach Badkot in the evening. Overnight stay Badkot / Ranachatti.

Day 03: YAMUNOTRI DHAM (35kms. + 6 kms trekking one way)
Early morning you proceed to YAMUNOTRI DHAM via Hanuman chatti – Janki chatti. You require to trek to Yamunotri. Full day for darshan, pooja etc & trek back to Badkot / Ranachatti for overnight stay.

Day 04: BADKOT / RANACHATTI–UTTARKASHI (98 Kms)
Today morning is free for relaxation. After lunch we proceed to Uttarkashi. Later in the evening you visit Kashi Vishwanath & Shakti temple. Overnight stay at Uttarkashi.

Day 05: UTTARKASHI-GANGOTRI DHAM-UTTARKASHI (100kms. One way)
Early morning we proceed for GANGOTRI DHAM; have a sacred bath in the Ganges. After a holy darshan etc. we return to Uttarkashi for overnight stay.

Day06: UTTARKASHI–GUPTKASHI (200kms)
Early morning you proceed to Guptkashi. On the way have a look at magnificent view of Tehri Dam & Alaknanda – Mandakini sangam (Milan) at Rudraprayag. Overnight stay at Guptkashi.

Day 07: GUPTKASHI–GAURIKUND–SHRI KEDARNATH DHAM (25 Kms + 14 Kms trekking one way)
Early morning depart for Gaurikund via Guptkashi. Gaurikund is the base for a trek to Shri Kedarnath. On arrival walk/ pony / doly towards Kedarnath (14 Kms.). You reach Kedarnath in the evening and stay overnight. You can take part in the prayers that are performed every evening at this sacred place.

Day 08: SHRI KEDARNATH DHAM–GAURIKUND–GUPTKASHI (14 trekking+ 25kms)
Today morning you can take Darshan / pooja / abhishek etc. and later trek back to Gaurikund and drive back to Guptakashi for an overnight stay. Evening is free for rest & personal activities.

Day 09: GUPTKASHI– SHRI BADRINATH DHAM (200Kms)
Early morning proceed on an almost full day drive to Shri Badrinath dham. In evening visit Shree Badrinath temple or rest. Overnight stay at Badrinath.

Day10: BADRINATH DHAM
Today take part in darshan and aarti at Shri Badrinath and take a bath in the hot water pond (Trupt Kund). Evening visit Mana village. Over night stay at Badrinath.

Day 11: SHRI BADRINATH DHAM–SRINAGAR / RUDRAPRAYAG (184kms.)
Early morning you leave for Srinagar & arrive by late evening. On the way you visit AULI (Asia’s longest rope way). You can enjoy the exhilarating view of snow capped mountains at Auli. Overnight stay at Srinagar / Rudraprayag.

Day 12: SRINAGAR / RUDRAPRAYAG–RISHIKESH–HARIDWAR (119Kms.)
After an early breakfast the group proceeds to Rishikesh. After check in to hotel, freshen up and you visit religious sites of Geeta Bhawan, Laxman Jhoola, Ram Jhoola etc. Evening will be free for Shopping, local sightseeing etc.. Stay overnight at Rishikesh.

Day13: RISHIKESH / HARIDWAR–N.DELHI
Today would be last day of your journey. After breakfast you can leave for home and will be transferred to N. Delhi Airport / Rly. Station as the case may be.