Overview
Haridwar is the beginning point of Char Dham Yatra. First stop on this pilgrimage is Yamunotri, People start with Yamunotri, which is set as the source of the Yamuna River. second is Gangotri, Set at an elevation of 3200 m above sea level, the Gangotri Dham is second in the Yatra. The temple is situated at Gomukh, which is the source of the holy River Ganga. followed by Kedarnath, which is third Dham Kedarnath Temple is quite famous and one of the most significant shrines in the Country. and the pilgrimage ends at Badrinath, and it is also the most important of all four shrines. Set on the banks of Alakananda river, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Also remember, following the sequence is believed to be quite important in the Char Dham Yatra. This 10 days Char ham pilgrimage tour from Haridwar offers sacred darshan of all four shrine with comfortable accommodations and facilities in between the yatra.
Itinerary
Day 01: HARIDWAR – JOSHIMATH (280 KMS/ 7-8 HRS) Height: 6150MTS.
- Our driver will pick you up from Haridwar then smooth drive to
Joshimath. On arrival check in at the hotel. Dinner and
overnight stay at the hotel.
- Joshimath is situated on the slopes above the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Dhauliganga. Of the four ‘Maths’ established by Adi Shankaracharya, Pipalkothi is the winter seat of Badrinath. The idol is brought down to Pipalkothi and installed in the temple for people to worship. There are many other temples in the township. The most important is the temple of Nir Singh with the idol of Lord Vishnu. The left arm of this deity is getting destroyed with time and the popular belief holds that the day the arm completely withers Badrinath valley will cease to exist and the Gods will transfer the residence into the neighboring Niti Valley at Bhavishya Badri.
Day 02: JOSHIMATH – BADRINATH – JOSHIMATH (40kms/1-2hrs) HEIGHT: 3,300 MTS.
- Morning after breakfast, proceed to Badrinath, on arrival have a
bath in the Taptkund and have the Darshan of Badrivishal and
spend sometime near the temple. Brahamakapal is significant for
Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). And then in evening
return back to Joshimath. Dinner and Overnight stay at
hotel.
- TAPT KUND: Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath temple.
- NARAD KUND: A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered. MATA MURTY TEMPLE: Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinath. Other important temples include Sesh Netra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka.
- MANA VILLAGE: Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet.
- BHIM PUL: On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge lies over the roaring Saraswati River. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandava brothers.
- VYAS GUFA (CAVE): Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where Veda Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the puranic commentaries. KESHAV PRAYAG: the confluence of Alaknanda and Saraswati River at Mana Village.
- Badrinath one of the ‘Ancient Four Dhams’ is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage spots of the country and is situated at an elevation of 3,133 meters, guarded on either side by the two mountain ranges known as Nar & Narayan with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a splendid backdrop. This revered spot was once carpeted with wild berries. Thus, the place got the name “Badri van”, meaning “forest of berries”.
Day 03: JOSHIMATH – HARIDWAR (280km/8-9 Hrs)
- Morning after breakfast, bid farewell to your Badrinath Dham
tour and drop to Haridwar via Rudraprayag and Devprayag where
the Confluence of Maa Alaknanda and Bhagirathi which forms Maa
Ganga.
- RISHIKESH: 24 Kms. From Hardwar. Located in the laps of lower Himalayas, and is surrounded by scenic beauty of the hills on three sides with Holy Ganga flowing through it. The whole place is considered to be sacred as it is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation. There are many temples-some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. Rishikesh is important not only as pilgrimage center closely associated with the Ramayana, but also as home for many important centers of Hindu religious thought and spirituality, and as a very great Yoga Centre. There are a great many ashrams and Yoga institutes here. Rishikesh is also the gateway and the start-off point for journeys to important religious places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
