CHARDHAM YATRA
The Holy Himalayas up in the misty heights of the majestic Garhwal Himalayas that adorn the magnificent state of Uttaranchal, awaits a rejuvenating spiritual experience for the devout.
Nestling in the lofty peaks are the four most holy pilgrimages of India -Yamunotri, Gangotri, Sri Kedarnathji and Sri Badrinathji, collectively referred to as the Char Dham ( or four pilgrimage centres) of Hinduism. For centuries, saints and pilgrims, in their search for the divine, have walked these mystical vales known in ancient Hindu scriptures as 'Kedarkhand'
If the scriptures of HINDU RELIGION are to be believed, the holy centres of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath - collectively called theChardham (meaning four sacred spots) - are the mostsacred of all pilgrimages. Undertaking a journey to these places will not just wash away one's sins butensure release from the cycle of birth and death.THE honour conferred on these places is not surprising.
For one, they are all in the icy Garhwal ranges andregarded as the most sacred of all Himalayan ranges.It is also said that heaven and earth converge inthese holy spots, and to be born or die here is a boononly the very fortunate have. The Chardham must be visited from left to right -beginning with Yamunotri, going on to Gangotri, Kedarnath and culminating the journey at Badrinath.This route follows the Hindu tradition of parikrama or clockwise circumambulation.
Badrinath:
It is considered the holiest of the four main shrines of Uttarakhand. Badrinath is one of the itinerary of the every devout Hindu. The present temple was built about 2 centuries ago by the Kings of Gharwal. The principal idol in the temple is of black stone and represents Lord Vishnu seated in a meditative pose, and flanked by Narayan. Badrinath is also known as Vishal Badri. The temple remains closed from October to April due to severe winter conditions. The famous hot spring of Taptkund and Suryakund are just below the temple. A dip considered holy and refreshing to the body as well as the soul is a must before offering prayers to Shri Badrinath.
General Information:
Climate
Month Max. Temp. Min. Temp.
May 5 Deg. C 0.Deg.C
June 14.5 Deg. C 5.9 Deg .C
Cloths : Light woolen (May to September)
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali and English.
Kedarnath :
Set amidst the stunning mountains cape of the Gharwal Hills, Kedarnath at the head of the Mandakini river, is a very holy pilgrimage. It is located at the height of 11,742 feet(3580 m), is a famous pilgrim site for Lord Shiva devotees. According to the legend, Lord Shiva wished to elude the Pandavas and took refuge in Kedarnath. The lingam at Kedarnath, unlike it's usual form is pyramidal and is regarded as one of the 12 Jyotilingas. The shrine is closed on the first day of Kartik (Oct-Nov) and reopened in Vaishakh (Apr-May). During 9 months of closure the shrine is submerged in snow and worship is performed at Ukhimath.
General Information:
Altitude : 3,200 mt.
Climate
Month Max. Temp. Min. Temp.
May 14 Deg. C 5.7 Deg. C
June 18 Deg. C 9 Deg. C
Clothing
Cloths : Light woolen (May to September)
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali and English.
Gangotri :
The Ganges is India's most sacred river. Hindus believe its waters to have flowed eternally. It's source is said to be the summit of Mt. Meru; the mythical mountain at the centre of the universe. From there the river descends to earth via Lord Shiva's matted hair, which cushions it's falls. It is worshipped by Hindu's as the goddess Ganga and the great cities of Varanasi, Allahabad and Hardwar on it's banks are amongst the most important pilgrim places in India. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges to cleanse themselves of the Marma of previous and current lives, and so ensure an auspicious rebirth. The closest temple to the sources of Ganges lies 10,300 feet up in the small mountain village of Gangotri, half days climb on foot from the town Rishikesh. "Gaumukh" the actual source of the Ganges is at 13,858 feet; a further days walk ahead to where the Gangotri glacier meets the Bhagirathi river. Prayer plags and small shrines mark the source. A good place to meditate in solitude
General Information:
Altitude : 3,200 mt.
Climate
Summer : Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter : Snow-bound. Touching sub-zero.
Clothing
Summer : Light woolens.
Winter : Very heavy woolens.
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali and English.
Yamunotri:
The temple at Yamunotri marks the source of another sacred river 'Yamuna'. The temple was built by 'Maharani Gularia' of Jaipur in the 19th Century. There are number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple which flows into numerous pools. The most important of this is 'Suryakund'. The rock pillar 'Divya Shakti' is worshipped before entering the temple. Hanumanchatti: 13 km from Yamunotri. The confluence of Hanuman, Ganga and Yamuna river, from where the trek 'Dodi Tal' (3307 mt) starts. Route -> Rishikesh - Barkot - Hanumanchatti - Yamunotri. Other picturesque places from Yamunotri are - 'Sayanachatti' (18km). 'Chamba' (climb of 1,524 m).
Altitude : 3,235 mt.
Climate
Summer : Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter : Snow-bound. Touching sub-zero.
Clothing
Summer : Light woolens
Winter : Very heavy woolens.
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali and English.
Nestling in the lofty peaks are the four most holy pilgrimages of India -Yamunotri, Gangotri, Sri Kedarnathji and Sri Badrinathji, collectively referred to as the Char Dham ( or four pilgrimage centres) of Hinduism. For centuries, saints and pilgrims, in their search for the divine, have walked these mystical vales known in ancient Hindu scriptures as 'Kedarkhand'
If the scriptures of HINDU RELIGION are to be believed, the holy centres of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath - collectively called theChardham (meaning four sacred spots) - are the mostsacred of all pilgrimages. Undertaking a journey to these places will not just wash away one's sins butensure release from the cycle of birth and death.THE honour conferred on these places is not surprising.
For one, they are all in the icy Garhwal ranges andregarded as the most sacred of all Himalayan ranges.It is also said that heaven and earth converge inthese holy spots, and to be born or die here is a boononly the very fortunate have. The Chardham must be visited from left to right -beginning with Yamunotri, going on to Gangotri, Kedarnath and culminating the journey at Badrinath.This route follows the Hindu tradition of parikrama or clockwise circumambulation.
Badrinath:
It is considered the holiest of the four main shrines of Uttarakhand. Badrinath is one of the itinerary of the every devout Hindu. The present temple was built about 2 centuries ago by the Kings of Gharwal. The principal idol in the temple is of black stone and represents Lord Vishnu seated in a meditative pose, and flanked by Narayan. Badrinath is also known as Vishal Badri. The temple remains closed from October to April due to severe winter conditions. The famous hot spring of Taptkund and Suryakund are just below the temple. A dip considered holy and refreshing to the body as well as the soul is a must before offering prayers to Shri Badrinath.
General Information:
Climate
Month Max. Temp. Min. Temp.
May 5 Deg. C 0.Deg.C
June 14.5 Deg. C 5.9 Deg .C
Cloths : Light woolen (May to September)
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali and English.
Kedarnath :
Set amidst the stunning mountains cape of the Gharwal Hills, Kedarnath at the head of the Mandakini river, is a very holy pilgrimage. It is located at the height of 11,742 feet(3580 m), is a famous pilgrim site for Lord Shiva devotees. According to the legend, Lord Shiva wished to elude the Pandavas and took refuge in Kedarnath. The lingam at Kedarnath, unlike it's usual form is pyramidal and is regarded as one of the 12 Jyotilingas. The shrine is closed on the first day of Kartik (Oct-Nov) and reopened in Vaishakh (Apr-May). During 9 months of closure the shrine is submerged in snow and worship is performed at Ukhimath.
General Information:
Altitude : 3,200 mt.
Climate
Month Max. Temp. Min. Temp.
May 14 Deg. C 5.7 Deg. C
June 18 Deg. C 9 Deg. C
Clothing
Cloths : Light woolen (May to September)
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali and English.
Gangotri :
The Ganges is India's most sacred river. Hindus believe its waters to have flowed eternally. It's source is said to be the summit of Mt. Meru; the mythical mountain at the centre of the universe. From there the river descends to earth via Lord Shiva's matted hair, which cushions it's falls. It is worshipped by Hindu's as the goddess Ganga and the great cities of Varanasi, Allahabad and Hardwar on it's banks are amongst the most important pilgrim places in India. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges to cleanse themselves of the Marma of previous and current lives, and so ensure an auspicious rebirth. The closest temple to the sources of Ganges lies 10,300 feet up in the small mountain village of Gangotri, half days climb on foot from the town Rishikesh. "Gaumukh" the actual source of the Ganges is at 13,858 feet; a further days walk ahead to where the Gangotri glacier meets the Bhagirathi river. Prayer plags and small shrines mark the source. A good place to meditate in solitude
General Information:
Altitude : 3,200 mt.
Climate
Summer : Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter : Snow-bound. Touching sub-zero.
Clothing
Summer : Light woolens.
Winter : Very heavy woolens.
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali and English.
Yamunotri:
The temple at Yamunotri marks the source of another sacred river 'Yamuna'. The temple was built by 'Maharani Gularia' of Jaipur in the 19th Century. There are number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple which flows into numerous pools. The most important of this is 'Suryakund'. The rock pillar 'Divya Shakti' is worshipped before entering the temple. Hanumanchatti: 13 km from Yamunotri. The confluence of Hanuman, Ganga and Yamuna river, from where the trek 'Dodi Tal' (3307 mt) starts. Route -> Rishikesh - Barkot - Hanumanchatti - Yamunotri. Other picturesque places from Yamunotri are - 'Sayanachatti' (18km). 'Chamba' (climb of 1,524 m).
Altitude : 3,235 mt.
Climate
Summer : Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter : Snow-bound. Touching sub-zero.
Clothing
Summer : Light woolens
Winter : Very heavy woolens.
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali and English.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CHAR DHAM YATRA:-
» Raincoat/Umbrella » Monkey cap (Woollen)
» Hand gloves (Woollen) » Swatter/Pullover
» Wind Cheater » One Extra bed sheet.
» Canvas Shoes with deep grips » Socks (Woolen) two pair
» Stick available on hire at Govindghat » Torch with extra pairs of Battery
» Rope for drying lenians.
MEDICINE AS PER PRESCRIBED BY THE DOCTOR
» Iodex / Relexil » Vicks Ointment or Vicks candid
» Novalgine or any painkiller tablet » Sunglass
» Cold cream » Anticeptic Ointment
» Bandage » Band Aid
» Intestopan/Imosecs for Diarrhoea » Any other medicine prescribed by your doctor if you have B.P or any other problems
PRECAUTION FOR CHAR DHAM YATRA
» Cover your head with Monkey cap or any other woollen clothes while on high altitude to avoid hill- sickness, giddiness etc., at Badrinath, KEDARNATH, Gangotri, Yamunotri.
» Keep on drinking water/liquid to avoid hill-diarrhoea
» While on high altitude, eat only what is cooked over there.
» While on trekking, trek in one motion (Slow step), avoid any compitition. Try to maintainthe trekking motion till last; this will keep maintained your stemona.
» Put sweet candid in the mouth, use electrol/gulcon in water while trekking.
» Trek only on hill-side, avoid trekking or standing on valley side, as poney (horse)coming from opposite direction may push you down to the valley which may cause serious casualty.
» Tap-Water is available at every place, use only tap-water or boiled water can be obtainedfrom local chatti (tea-shop) on free of charges during on trekking.
» While hiring poney/doli/local laborer if tea/meals if offered to them, they provide better services or take more care of you.
» While carrying your luggage through the porters tie it properly as to avoid any loss of luggage.
