ABOUT CHARDHAM

Why is Chardham yatra considered as most auspicious in Hinduism?

Located high up in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand Himalaya, Chardham temples signify the four most sacred holy rivers: the Yamuna (at Yamunotri), the Ganges (at Gangotri), the Mandakini (at Kedarnath), and the Alaknanda (at Badrinath). As per the Hindy philosophy, visiting the Char Dham is considered the most auspicious journey of lifetime. It is believed to wash away all sins, done in this life and also a gateway to free from the cycle of birth and death.

What is the right order to cover Char Dham?

The right order to cover the Chardham is in clockwise direction i.e left to right starting from Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath to Badrinath, the reason for this order has its own importance behind it.

CHARDHAM OPENING AND CLOSING DATES & SCHEDULE

When does the Chardham Yatra begin and end?

The Chardham Yatra starting in the clockwise direction goes from Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath to Badrinath.

Yamunotri Temple

The Yamunotri Dham opens for all the visitors/pilgrims during the time of Akshay Tritiya on 26th April and closes on the occasion of Bhai Dooj every year.

Gangotri Temple

The Gangotri Dham gets open for all the visitors/ pilgrims during the time of Akshay Tritiya on 26th April and closes after Diwali every year.

Kedarnath Temple

The gates of kedarnath temples opens after a few days of Akshay Tritya and closes on the occasion of Bhai Dooj.

Badrinath Temple

The Badrinath Temple opens its gate for the pilgrims after Akshay Tritya every year and closes on the occasion of Vijayadashami i.e Dussehra.

What are the Chardham Yatra Opening and Closing dates of 2020?

Char Dham Temple Opening Date Closing Date
Yamunotri 26 Apr 2020 16 Nov 2020
Gangotri 26 Apr 2020 15 Nov 2020
Kedarnath 29 Apr, 2020 16 Nov, 2020
Badrinath 15 May 2020 25 Oct 2020

What is darshan timing at each dham?

The Darshan time of each dham is mentioned as follows-

Yamunotri-

Yamunotri Temple opens at 6:00 AM and closes for pilgrims at : 8:00 PM. 

Aarti Time at Yamunotri : 6:30 am and 7:30 pm.

Gangotri-

The Gangotri temple opens at 6:15 am , Pilgrims are allowed to do darshan till 2:00 pm.  

2:00pm-3:00pm temple gates are closed and it reopens at 3:00 pm till 9:30 pm.

Kedarnath-

The Pooja in kedarnath Temple starts at 4:00 am in the morning till 7:00 am during which you can attend the pooja. The Darshan starts at 7:00 am in the morning and continues till 1:00 pm and the crowd starts entering the temple. 

After a break of 3 hours the temple reopens at 4:00 pm in the evening and closes at 9:00 pm in the night.

Badrinath-

The Pooja at Badrinath Temple starts at 4:30 am and carries on till 6:30 am. The general public starts entering the temple at 7:00 to 8:00 am which continues till 1:00 pm. The temple closes for 3 hours and then it reopens at 4:00 pm and closes at 9:00 pm after completing darshan.

What is the Safest and the Best Time to Go on Char Dham Yatra?

Chadram is a pilgrimage that stays open 6 months in a year. It closes in winter due to heavy snowfall and opens during summer.

The best time to visit during Chardham Yatra is  from April, May till mid of June .

If you miss the summer time then September to November is considered a suitable time for winter. It is advised to avoid  during the monsoon season i.e during mid of June to July end. During the time of monsoons and rainy weather there is a risk of landslides and heavy rains.Make sure you do your booking prior as per the suitable weather and contact your travel operator for further details.

CHARDHAM REGISTRATION

Is registration required for Chardham Yatra?

Yes registration is required in order to track the numbers of pilgrims .This will be also helpful in case of emergency, and evacuation. There are two modes of registration for Chardham Yatra i.e Offline and Online Registration.

Offline Registration- There are a total 14 centers for offline registration and it can be easily done at any center with the help of our tour operators or at your own.

The list of 14 centers for the registration are as follows-

Place in Chardham Yatra Registration Counter Location
Haridwar Railway Station
Haridwar Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Parking
Rishikesh Roadways Bus Stand
Rishikesh Hemkund Gurudwara
Janki Chatti Janki Chatti
Gangotri Gangotri
Guptkashi Guptkashi
Phata Phata
Sonprayag Sonprayag
Kedarnath Kedarnath
Pandukeshwar Pandukeshwar
Govindghat Govindghat
Uttarkashi Hina
Uttarkashi Dobata

There is proper biometric registration procedure available at the above centers

All you need to do is to specify the location of your Chardham Yatra at the center you are doing registration and specify the yatra you are planning to do i.e Chardham,  Ek Dham or Ek Dham. After the registration procedure is completed you will get a Trip Card from the center that you have to carry throughout your journey.

Online Registration-

Online Registration is a simple and easy way to do registration that can save you from standing in a long queue.

Step 1. You can go to the official website of Garwal Madal Vikas Nigam and fill the form.

Step 2. A verification link will be sent to you over your email and you can activate that link and easily login.

Step 3. Click on the link for “Book to Darshans” 

Step 4. A new booking window will open from which you can select the destination of the visit and details of the visitor.

Step 5. You can confirm your registration and  make the payment.

CHARDHAM YATRA DURATION

How much time is required for Chardham yatra?

The normal journey time is around 10-11 days via road and 4-5 days via helicopter through which the tour can be properly completed. Although you can opt for one day yatra from a helicopter for ek dham and do dham.

What is the regular Chardham Yatra Duration by Road/Surface

  • From New Delhi- Eleven Nights & Twelve Days covering all chardhm destinations and back to New Delhi. 
  • From Dehradun/ Haridwar/ Rishikesh- Nine Nights & Ten Days covering all chardhm destinations and back to New Delhi.  

What is the regular Do Dham Yatra (Kedarnath & Badrinath) Duration by Road/Surface?

  • Haridwar to Haridwar : Five Nights & Six Days
  • New Delhi to New Delhi: Six Nights & Seven Days

What is the regular Do Dham Yatra (Yamunotri & Gangotri) Duration by Road/Surface?

  • Haridwar to Haridwar : Five Nights & Six Days
  • New Delhi to New Delhi: Six Nights & Seven Days

What is the regular Chardham Yatra Duration by Helicopter?

  • From Dehradun- Four Nights and Five Days from Sahastradhara Dehradun Helipad 

What is the regular Do Dham Yatra (Kedarnath & Badrinath) Yatra Duration by Helicopter?

  • From Dehradun- You can cover the same day Kedar-Badri yatra By Helicopter.

What is the regular Chardham Yatra Duration if  I club surface with helicopter?

  • Dehradun to Dehradun : Seven  Nights & Eight Days
  • New Delhi to New Delhi: Nine Nights & Ten Days

 

How long is Yamunotri Trek and how would it be covered?

The distance of Yamunotri trek is around 6 kms from Janki Chatti. Either you can go complete walking till Yamunotri or you can take Palki’s/ Dandi/Kandi & Mule/Ponies. You can get any of these booked from Janki Chatti. The cost of the facilities from Janki Chatti to Yamunotri  are as follows-

Dandi will cost approx. Rs 1900 person

Kandi will cost Rs 840 per person

Poni will cost Rs 640 per person

 

How long is Kedarnath Trek and how would it be covered?

The Distance of Kedarnath trek is around 16 Kms, the trek starts from Gaurikund and ends at Kedarnath. You can take a taxi from Sonparyag  to reach Gaurikund i.e 6 Kms approx and then from there you can begin your trek to Kedarnath.

Route Trek from Gaurikund To Kedarnath approx 16 Kilometer

<Gaurikund – 6 kms → Rambara Bridge – 4 kms → Jungle Chatti – 3 kms → Bheembali – 4 kms → Linchauli – 4 kms → Kedarnath Base Camp – 1 kms → Kedarnath Temple

TRAVEL & ACCOMODATION IN CHARDHAM SECTOR

Where is the nearest International  airport located for Chardham yatra?

The nearest International airport for Chardham Yatra is New Delhi  i.e Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI).

Where is the nearest domestic airport located for Chardham yatra?

The nearest airport for Chardham Yatra is the Dehradun Airport i.e Jolly Grant Airport from which you can start your journey to Chardham.

Where is the nearest railway station for Chardham yatra?

The nearest railway station to start your Chardham Yatra journey is the Haridwar Junction railway station.

Where is the nearest Inter State Bus terminal for Chardham yatra?

The nearest bus station to start your Chardham Yatra journey is Haridwar / Dehradun / Rishikesh (INTER STATE BUS TERMINAL).

Can I take a bus from New Delhi for Chardham yatra?

There are no direct bus services for Chardham yatra from New Delhi. You can take Uttarakhand Bus services from New Delhi Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) for Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun. Bus services for chardham destinations from Uttarakhand are not advisable, and one should book the private taxi or consult tour operator for the four holy shrines.

 Can I do my Chardham / Do Dham/ Ek dham yatra on my own?

Char Dham yatra isn’t considered as an easy travelling. If you are ready for surprises, and love adventure, then you can plan chardham yatra by your own or with friends.Its not advisable to do Chardham yatra if you are travelling with your family,kids and eldelry people by your own. Most of the hotels and accomodation are pre booked by Chardham operators and its advice to book your yatra in the chardham sector through a reliable tour operator .Only two of the temples (Badrinath and Gangotri) are accessible by vehicle. The remaining two (Yamunotri and Kedarnath) require treks and proper planning. Remind you in peak season it’s difficult to get hotel accommodation. While booking your yatra through chardham travel agent, it gives you benefits of choosing a package in your budget. You can also opt for Chardham yatra by taxi or by Helicopter through a reliable chardham travel operator.

How is the road condition of the Chardham Sector of Uttarakhand?

After the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, Indian government has announced an all weather road for the char dham sector. The roads are wider now and far better since the launch of the central government’s ambitious project, as a tribute to those who died in the 2013 Kedarnath disaster.

This Chardham All Weather Highway Project costing approx of Rs 12,000-crore, which intends to improve road connectivity to the four highest pilgrimage shrines of Uttarakhand Chardham.

Also known as Chardham Mahamarg, Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi announced on 27th December 2016 to refurbish 900 Kilometers of the damaged highway with two lanes. This Chardham highway project has 12 bypass roads, 15 big flyovers, 3,596 culverts,two tunnels and 101 small tunnels. The all weather roads are suppose to withstand the toughest climate of Himalayn region and can meet all geographical challenge. 

Can I drive my own car for Chardham Yatra?

It is strongly advised to avoid driving in the char dham sector during peak season. The high altitude roads are not driving friendly, especially if you are a city driver. Driving in the Chardham sector can be challenging with sudden curves, especially in himalayan region. If you are not used to driving in hills, you should opt for a professional driver , which can be  booked through Chardham Taxi operators.

What are the types of accommodations available on the Chardham route?

The accommodations available during the Chardham Yatra are Dharamshala, Lodges, Ashrams, Guest houses, Tents, Camps, Hotels and Resorts. You can select an accommodation as per your preference and budget. If you are travelling with your family and elderly member, then it is advised to book hotels and accomodation with a Chardham tour operator. 

The benefits of choosing the chardham yatra package through travel agents is to choose a list of hotels ,meal plans, taxi services, helicopter services , shuttle helicopter tickets of kedarnath as per your budget. 

 

What Kind of meals are provided in the Chardham sector?

Hotels and restaurants serve vegetarian meals. You can also ask your chardham travel agent for accomodation with meals options which will save your money and will have hassle free journeys.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Is there any physical fitness parameter for Chardham yatra?
There is as such no fitness parameter if you are healthy and  young, preferably below 50 years. The treks of Yamunotri which is about 6 Kilometer from Janki Chatti and Kedarnath Trek which is about 18 Kilometer is physically demanding. One should be physically fit  if you are planning to do the trekking of your own. Although the track can be done with the help of a pony, basket, Pali, Mule. One can also avail Shuttle Helicopter Ticket, in order to avoid Kedarnath Trekking which is long and both mentally and physically challenging. 

The road trip of chardham yatra requires an approx of 6 to 8 hours drive every day, the sudden variation of altitude and mountain sickness is a regular health concern for those who are not prepared . We advise to participate in regular sports activities, and keep fit before you plan your chardham tour. Engaging in some sort of physical training like brisk walking, jogging, repetitive climbing of stairs etc before a month can be of great help in order to make the trip memorable.
Will I be provided with Medical Facilities during the Yatra?
Char Dham sector is equipped with medical facilities by Uttarakhand Tourism department. Government has set up many medical centers to make the journey easy for chardham pilgrim travellers.In case of any emergency you can be accessed to the nearest medical center for treatment.

 

Is a medical certificate required for Chardham yatra?

If you are above 50, then you require a medical certificate. You are required to submit your fitness certificate, whenever Chardham authorities require it. In order to track the record of Chardham tourist numbers in case of emergency, you are also required to register yourself for biometric registration.

Before planning a trip to Chardham Yatra you are advised to consult your doctor and get a proper medical checkup . As the Yatra is on a high altitude and a long journey, you should be both mentallly and physically fit. High blood pressure patients, heart disease patients should consult their doctor before they plan the chardham yatra.

Do carry your regular medicines and take necessary precautions advised by your health practitioner .

Can I get medical certificate registration while I am on the journey?

You should take medical fitness before the commencement of the Yatra.Medical certificates, required documents and biometric registration 

In case of  any medical emergency what are your measures?

Chardham official and Uttarakhand government tourism department ensures proper medical facility and safety of each passenger travelling with us. There will be an arrangement of 49 ambulances all over the Chardham Yatra route. There will be proper coordination with 108 ambulance services in case of emergency medical issues. 108 Ambulance Service is a service that was organized by the Union Health Minister  Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss and for chardham yatra 8 new ambulances are to be arranged for all the medical facilities for pilgrims. The emergency ambulance will provide its services at Badrinath, Pandukeshwar, Vasukedar, Phata, Sonprayag, Harsil, Ranachatti and Kandikhal

.What is the availability of oxygen cylinders during the chardham yatra?

All government medical facilities are equipped with oxygen cylinders in the Chardham Sector. It’s available for anybody who might be needing it during the journey.

Is the trip suitable for heart patients? 

The trip is not suitable for heart patients if they are planning to cover the journey by  long distance walks, it would be preferable for them to travel via helicopter. Chardham travel with a helicopter will be less risk and will save the heart patients from unnecessary fatigue.

What is the age limit of a Char Dham Traveller ?

There is no age limit decided by the authorities of Chardham, but as per suggestion it is advised between 7 to 65 years to travel the temple. Rest if you are planning to make your trip you can do your checkup from your doctor.

Can Senior Citizens Over the Age of 60/70 Make this Journey?

Yes the journey can be made by the senior citizens, chardham yatra is completely safe and open for Senior Citizens. The government of India had proper arrangements and medical facilities for the pilgrims visiting there. With the ease in journey by Helicopters, Ponies and Dolis it has become easier for senior citizens to complete their journey safely. Rest it is always advised to consult your doctor and plan a trip after that only.

What is Mountain Sickness , and what precautions should one take for chardham yatra?

Chardham Yatra by road ascends too rapidly from lower to  high elevations. Altitude sickness is common during Chardham yatra. If you are flying straight from the lower region , you are advised to acclimatize. If you have a history of mountain sickness, it’s advised to consult your doctor, and carry appropriate medicines for mountain sickness.

CHARDHAM PACKING LIST

What are a Few Essential Items of Travel that I should not forget to Bring?

The weather conditions of Chardham are unpredictable and risky sometimes. So all you need to carry is this list of stuff-

  • First Aid kit 
  • Regular medicines which you are taking daily
  • Antibiotics- Sulfamethoxazole, Trimethoprim – Bacterium DS or Septran DS  
  • Anti – Inflammatory- Avil, Brufen or Mortin. Aspirin / Tylenol or general painkillers.
  • For Mountain sickness- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox, Diamox Sequels) and/or dexamethasone (AK-Dex, Ocu-Dex) if you have Thermals and warm clothes
  • Toilet and Shaving kit, Nail Clipper, Scissors, swiss knife
  • Winter accessories like woolen gloves, mufflers, scarves, Monkey Cap
  • A backpack for carrying items like torches, spare batteries, chocolates, portable charger
  • Water Bottle
  • Umbrella and raincoat
  • Binoculars recommended
  • Toiletries if you are brand specific
  • Power backup
  • Non slippery Shoes/ Sports shoes/ Trekking shoes
  • Extra Pair of Slippers
  • Sunglasses
  • Mosquito Repellant
  • Still cameras, home video cameras
  • Strong sunscreen oil, skin antibiotic cream.
  • Road map of Chardham, Compass if you are navigation person

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU PLAN CHARDHAM YATRA

Are There Any ATMs Available in and Around the Char Dham Sites?
ATMs facilities are not frequent on the route of the Chardham sector. You can find some ATMs nearby the pilgrimages but that might not be a sure thing to trust for urgent cash. Dehradun, Haridwar are the major cities, where you can find ATMs. We advise all the yatris to carry extra and sufficient cash during the Yatra.

Which mobile network works in the Uttarakhand mountains?

The most reliable network in Uttarakhand mountains is BSNL that can be used without any network issues in all the Dhams. The other reliable networks that you can use are Airtel,Idea Vodafone and Jio. Sometimes Jio may create issues and also the other networks may face issues but you can always have a backup.

CHARDHAM YATRA HELICOPTER FAQ

How Many Persons Can Fly Together in A Helicopter in Chardham Yatra?
Maximum 05 to 06 Passengers/Travellers Can fly together in one Helicopter

How Much Weight Can a Helicopter Lift and Carry in Chardham Yatra?

Chardham Yatra Helicopter can lift Maximum of  weight of 450 KG in total 

What should be the maximum weight of a person flying?

75 KG is the maximum weight, for the individual, flying for char dham yatra in a helicopter.Any discrepancy in weight at the time of boarding will lead to cancellation for the heli-tour (WITHOUT ANY REFUND).Please make sure you submit the actual weight during initial documentation. Aviation rules are strict in terms of weight and carriage.

What will be extra weight charges while flying in a helicopter for the chardham yatra sector?

Above 75 Kg weight of any passenger will attract additional charges  of 1200 INR, per person as per helicopter aviation rules.

Does Helicopter yatra allow personal baggage and What is maximum baggage weight allowed?

You can only carry 5 kg luggage per person during your Chardham tour via helicopter. The space is limited in helicopters so more than 5kg budget is not allowed. Aviation rules are strict, hence make sure you don’t carry extra weight in your baggage. 

What are the pick-up/drop off points for helicopter yatra?

The pickup and drop off points that come in our way to Chardham Yatra are Dehradun Airport, Dehradun Bus Stand, Haridwar Railway Station and Dehradun Railway Station.

What is the age limit for kids for helicopter Yatra?

Tickets are not required for the children below 2 yrs .Kids  above 2 years will have a full ticket price. Please carry aadhar card as date of birth proof in case the kid’s age is below 2 years.

What are the Perks of Going on Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter?
There are many benefits of going to Char Dham Yatra by helicopter i.e the journey time will be decreased, you will get more time to enjoy the Yatra and visit the places. Most importantly if you have health issues and cannot do long duration travel then helicopters can make your journey easier.

What is VIP Darshan in Char Dham Yatra?

VIP Darshan also known as Priority darshan is clubbed with a helicopter package. Kedarnath and Badrinath have the provision of VIP Darshan, in order to save time specially someone who is doing yatra by Helicopter.

HOW TO BOOK CHARDHAM YATRA

What is the Best Way to Book My Char Dham Yatra?

The best way to book Chardham Yatra is by asking your tour operator and taking help from them. There are many reputed chardham tour operators, which offer lucrative packages with transportation, accomodation and meals. The packages come with a choice of budget,as per the quality of accommodation and other facilities.  One can book these packages based on group size, choice of vehicles, which can be a normal taxi, SUV,Tempo Traveller or Bus.

The booking process is easy, and one can book the package by paying online as per there booking policy. The reliable Chardham tour operator gives adequate information, regular news bulletin announced by officials, weather reports, VIP and priority darshan, customer care support before and during journey.One can also book chardham yatra by helicopter in order to save time. The shuttle confirms tickets for Kedarnath can also be purchased through Chardham travel agents.

 

chardhabyhelicopter.com  provides a hassle free yatra by helicopter. It collaborates with

Trek N Tales a reliable chardham tour operator for Chardham Yatra by surface. Trek N Tales is a pioneer travel company while conducting Chardham, Do Dham and Ek Dham yatra for more than 15 years . 

 

Are the meals included in the Chardham tour packages?

Yes, the meals are included in the package and itinerary. You are advised to check our itenary for the confirmation of the meal plan from the tour operator while booking the packages.

Is anything extra to be paid during the tour?

The basic travel things such as Poney, Palki Helicopter, Taxi are included in the trip package. For more information please check inclusions and exclusions of individual trip packages.

What is the minimum number of people you require for The Char Dham tour?

Any person can travel to Chardham with us i.e from a single person to a group of travellers everyone is welcomed. The cost of travel increases/ decreases as per the number of persons