The Chardham yatra is justed started. This yatra is combination of pilgrimage cum trekking.
The Chardham is undertaken from left to right... or west to east beginning with Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, in that order. This route follows the Hindu tradition of parikrama or clockwise circumambulation.
Yamunotri
Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River. It emerges from a frozen lake of ice and glaciers on the Kalinda Parvat Mountain at an altitude of 4421 metres, 1 km beyond the temple. There are several hot springs in front of the temple.
Hanumanchatti is the last road head to reach Yamunotri. From here, it is a 13 km trek up to Yamunotri which is located at an altitude of 3235 metres. The road to Yamunotri diverts from Rishikesh - Gangotri road at Dharasu. Alternatively pilgrims can reach the temple through the Mussorie and Barkot route.
Gangotri
Gangotri is located at an altitude of 3048 metres against the stunning backdrop of the Gharwal Himalayas. The source of the river is 18 km further north at Gaumukh. Gangotri is located at an distance of 99 kms. from Uttarkashi. The temple was constructed by the... Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century and is situated on the left bank of Bhagirathi River. The temple compound features a ghat where the devout dip in the freezing waters. Buses run right up to Gangotri.
Kedarnath
For all Shaivities, the Kedarnath is the holiest. And of all the temples, the Kedarnath is the highest standing at an altitude of 3584 metres on the head of the Mandakini River. The temple is located against the dramatic backdrop of the twin snow covered peaks, Kedardome and Kedarnath. Legends have it that the present temple was built in 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya whose Samadhi is located behind the Kedarnath temple.
The last road head is Gauri Kund via Guptkashi and Soneprayag. Pilgrims will have to undertake a 14km trek from Gaurikund to reach Kedarnath.
Badrinath
The Badrinath temple is situated against the background of Neelkant peak at an altitude of 3133 metres. Badrinath falls on the last leg of chardham yatra. Guarded on either sides by the twin mountains Nar and Narayan, Badrinath is considered to be the holiest for all Vaishnavites and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Both at Kedarnath and Badrinath, there is a hot water spring. Legend has it that Adi Shankaracharya established the present temple.
The old village of Badrinath is just a short walk south... and has some splendid mountain architecture. Mana, an ancient Buddhist village is located 4kms beyond Badrinath. Devotees of Vishnu also visit the other four Panch Badri temples dotted around Joshimath.
Joshimath
It is the last important town and acts as a gateway to the dham of Badrinath. The yatra yatra buses are organized into convoys for the final 44 km stretch to Badrinath. Joshimath was established by the guru Shankara in the 8th century.
The Chardham is undertaken from left to right... or west to east beginning with Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, in that order. This route follows the Hindu tradition of parikrama or clockwise circumambulation.
Yamunotri
Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River. It emerges from a frozen lake of ice and glaciers on the Kalinda Parvat Mountain at an altitude of 4421 metres, 1 km beyond the temple. There are several hot springs in front of the temple.
Hanumanchatti is the last road head to reach Yamunotri. From here, it is a 13 km trek up to Yamunotri which is located at an altitude of 3235 metres. The road to Yamunotri diverts from Rishikesh - Gangotri road at Dharasu. Alternatively pilgrims can reach the temple through the Mussorie and Barkot route.
Gangotri
Gangotri is located at an altitude of 3048 metres against the stunning backdrop of the Gharwal Himalayas. The source of the river is 18 km further north at Gaumukh. Gangotri is located at an distance of 99 kms. from Uttarkashi. The temple was constructed by the... Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century and is situated on the left bank of Bhagirathi River. The temple compound features a ghat where the devout dip in the freezing waters. Buses run right up to Gangotri.
Kedarnath
For all Shaivities, the Kedarnath is the holiest. And of all the temples, the Kedarnath is the highest standing at an altitude of 3584 metres on the head of the Mandakini River. The temple is located against the dramatic backdrop of the twin snow covered peaks, Kedardome and Kedarnath. Legends have it that the present temple was built in 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya whose Samadhi is located behind the Kedarnath temple.
The last road head is Gauri Kund via Guptkashi and Soneprayag. Pilgrims will have to undertake a 14km trek from Gaurikund to reach Kedarnath.
Badrinath
The Badrinath temple is situated against the background of Neelkant peak at an altitude of 3133 metres. Badrinath falls on the last leg of chardham yatra. Guarded on either sides by the twin mountains Nar and Narayan, Badrinath is considered to be the holiest for all Vaishnavites and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Both at Kedarnath and Badrinath, there is a hot water spring. Legend has it that Adi Shankaracharya established the present temple.
The old village of Badrinath is just a short walk south... and has some splendid mountain architecture. Mana, an ancient Buddhist village is located 4kms beyond Badrinath. Devotees of Vishnu also visit the other four Panch Badri temples dotted around Joshimath.
Joshimath
It is the last important town and acts as a gateway to the dham of Badrinath. The yatra yatra buses are organized into convoys for the final 44 km stretch to Badrinath. Joshimath was established by the guru Shankara in the 8th century.