Char Dham Yatra FAQs

Every Year Chardham Yatra begins from the month of April or May onwards and continues until October/November as the doors of all four temples (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yumunotri & Gangotri) remain open till the day of “Diwali Festival” which is celebrated every year during the month the month of October/November.

“Diwali festival-Also called Deepawali” is considered as one of the main festival of Hindus and dates of this festival to be decided by the holy saints/Gurus/Priests according to Hindu calendar). After Diwali doors of all temples remain close for the next five or six months due to heavy snow fall and very cold weather as all these temples are located in the remote places of Himalayan Mountain where life is not easy to survive due to uncertain weather conditions.

Char Dham – means four sacred places in India as per Hindu belief. They are PURI, DWARKA, BADRINATH and RAMESHWARAM – collectively known as the Chardham of India are the most sacred of all pilgrimages. It is believed that undertaking a journey to these holy shrines located in the four corners of India washes away one’s sins and relieves one from the cycle of birth and death.

However, some people called these places as Char Dham – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinathji (in Uttaranchal) – which although sacred, are not actually char dham. Any Dham is a revered place, but “Char Dham” actually refers to – Puri, Dwarka, Badrinath & Rameshwaram – where live four Shankaracharyas.

Badrinath temple darshan timings
Morning :4 AM – 12 Noon
Evening: 3 PM – 9 PM

The answer is yes. Now these days it has become very easy for thirtha yatra, Yamunotri and Kedarnath is hard to reach, but you can hire Palki to go up, transportation reaches very close to rest of the places.

Please note that these are high altitude areas,and thus it is advised that people who have any respiratory problems or cardio-vascular problems to seek doctor’s advice before venturing to these areas.

Chardham Yatra can be starts either from Delhi or Haridwar as being a capital of India, Delhi is connected with almost entire World & all major Cities of India through various flight connections and Trains. Road connectivity from Delhi to Haridwar is very good as by road it is just 210 km/ 5 hours drive (approx). One can travel by air from Delhi to Dehradun (Joly Grant Aiport) which is just 41 Km away (1 hrs drive approx) from Haridwar. Nearest Railway station of Haridwar is just 16 Km before of “Har-Ki-Pauri” (Haridwar) and train journey from Delhi to Haridwar takes only 4-5 hrs approx. Chardham Yatra starts from Delhi – Hardiwar – Barkot – Yamunotri – Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Guptkashi- Kedarnath- Rudraprayag- Badrinath- Joshimath- Srinagar(Garwal)- Rishikesh – Delhi. These places can be covered in approx 12 days from Delhi to Delhi and from Haridwar to Haridwar it takes approx 11 days.

Every Year Chardham Yatra begins from the month of April or May onwards and continues until October/November as the doors of all four temples (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yumunotri & Gangotri) remain open till the day of “Diwali Festival” which is celebrated every year during the month the month of October/November. “Diwali festival –Also called Deepawali” is considered as one of the main festival of Hindus and dates of this festival to be decided by the holy saints/Gurus/Priests according to Hindu calendar). After Diwali doors of all temples remain close for the next five or six months due to heavy snow fall and very cold weather as all these temples are located in the remote places of Himalayan Mountain where life is not easy to survive due to uncertain weather conditions.

Chardham Yatra is considered is as one of the toughest Yatra in Himalayan region, so don’t take it lightly as one should physically and mentally fit to travel this circuit. Weather of Char Dham Circuit is very uncertain as temperature changes almost three times in a day since day time is hot and evening is pleasant but nights are some time very cold. It is advisable to take heavy woollen cloths such as warm Jacket, Coat, Sweater, Gloves & woollen socks and good walking shoes with grip, slippers & sandals, first aid kit. Also carry Insect repellent or lotions to avoid any mosquito infection. One can carry rain coat as well as some time its rain in this circuit as weather can be changed at any time here.

Don’t forget to bring personal medicines during your trip to Char Dham Circuit if you are patient of any such dieses like any kind of allergies, diabetes or asthma or any such conditions that may require emergency treatment and are specially advised to carry prescriptions of the medicines and also preferably carry a letter from your physician during your trip.

Char Dham – means four sacred places in India as per Hindu belief. They are PURI, DWARKA, BADRINATH and RAMESHWARAM – collectively known as the Chardham of India are the most sacred of all pilgrimages. It is believed that undertaking a journey to these holy shrines located in the four corners of India washes away one’s sins and relieves one from the cycle of birth and death.

However, some people called these places as Char Dham – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinathji (in Uttaranchal) – which although sacred, are not actually char dham. Any Dham is a revered place, but “Char Dham” actually refers to – Puri, Dwarka, Badrinath & Rameshwaram – where live four Shankaracharyas.

You may choose either GMVN or private agencies, provided they are reliable, low cost and affordable. There are some deluxe category hotels termed as ‘3 star hotel’. You will get basic meals in this route. If budget is no constraint, you may hire a cab from Delhi or Haridwar for the entire trip.

You can also choose private Char Dham operators as well. Some of the popular Char Dham tour operators are: Usha Breco – Usha India Destiations, Leisure Hotels, Makemytrip, Yatra, etc.

The fare of helicopter ticket to Kedarnath is approx Rs 7,990/- per person from Phata, which includes return helicopter fare with exclusive of priority darshan as per the prevalent rate.

Option1: By Train till Haridwar or Delhi
You can take train to Haridwar/Delhi from Howrah and fare depends on which class you book. Delhi/Haridwar to Gaurikund by bus or taxi. Then about 11 km trek to Kedarnath Temple.

Option2: By Flight till Delhi
You can take flight to Delhi from Kolkata and fare depends on which class you book. Delhi to Gaurikund by bus or taxi. Then about 11 km trek to Kedarnath Temple.

Gangotri has plenty of hotels near the main temple itself so it should not be a problem to find a room. Only the rooms in GMVN can be booked in advance but usually they are almost full in the months of May and June. Do not worry, you will get the rooms easily. In case, you do not get then, turn back to Dharali and Harsil about 20 Kms before Gangotri. These places also have many hotels.

It would cost anywhere between Rs.200 per day to Rs.500 per day. If you get a guide who has done NIM course, then that would be on the higher end (near Rs.500/day).

Plus, you will have to look after his food and stay. A meal would cost approximately Rs.40/meal. So the cost of food comes out to be Rs.100/day/guide.

There are three token counters near taxi stand at Badrinath. You can collect your token (free) from one of these counters.

Token mentions darshan time and you need to be at the main door 10 – 15 minutes in advance. Please note that time allotted for darshan of the Lord Badrinath is only for 10 – 20 seconds in the peak season of May to July.

The token system was started in 2012 as a 10 day trial, but with its great success it has been continued for the Char Dham 2012 season.

With the token system there is no need for pilgrims to stand in long queues for several hours outside the temple, and pilgrims now visit other nearby spots in the time which was otherwise going waste.