The mountains are alluding. Every season, they charm us like the pied piper. It’s monsoon, the season of savan, and pilgrims from all around the world have starting arriving in Uttarakhand as the Chardham yatra has begun with the outset of Gangotri-Yamunotri gate. If you too are preparing for the same, then you should consider gathering information of places, possible expenses, weather fluctuations, and health facilities. It’s time for the Chardham Yatra of the Himalayas, are you ready?
Pious Significance
Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath – known as the “four Dhams” in the Himalayas are the most sacred places. It has been said in the scriptures that the pious souls who accomplish witnessing the virtuous here, are not only released from all their sins, but also breakaway the bondages of life and death. The earth and the heaven is believed to blend here. Devotees visit the Yamunotri and Gangotri first during the journey to perform Jalabhishek at Kedareshwar with holy water.
Stairs to the Chardham
For pilgrims, the traditional route of reaching the Chardham is Haridwar – Rishikesh – Dev Prayag – Tehri – Dharasu – Yamunotri – Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Trigunarayan – Gaurikund – Kedarnath. It’s similar to the holy circumambulation in the Hindu religion. The alternate way to reach Kedarnath goes through Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Augustamuni, Guptukashi and Gaurikunda. Kedarnath is the origin place of Mandakini, which unifies with the river Alaknanda in Rudraprayag.
Yamunotri
First Sojourn of the Run
Yamunotri is the first halt of Char Dham Yatra. The temple of holy Yamunotri is located on the western end of Bandarpungh. According to the mythology, Yamuna was the daughter of the Sun and sister to the Yama, consequently Yama does not take strict vigil of the people who devoutly bath in her sister. Nearly one kilometer from Yamunotri, lies Yamuna’s emergence site. Here, you can find the amalgamation of hot and cold environment; the cold tides of the glaciers and the warmth of thermal springs or Kunds.
Gangotri
Glacier to the Sacred river
Bhagirathi river flows from Gangotri. It is spiritually the origin point of most sacred river of India, Ganga. According to the mythology the river was named as Bhagirathi after the name of the King Bhagirath, who is surmised to bring Ganga to earth after performing penance. This place has a certain charm to it, and a pinch of serenity strikes with the sound of temple bells here.
Kedarnath
Home to Bholenath
Kedarnath lies in the vicinity of Mandakini river. Kedarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is enshrined here. Jalabhishek by Yamunotri, on Jyotirlinga of Kedarnath, is considered holy in Hinduism. Mesmerizing panoramas in the form of the snow-clad mountains, rhododendron forests, and salubrious environment make Kedarnath a tranquil and vivid place to be at.
Badrinath
Reverie of the Badri
Badrinath, situated between the Narna and Narayan mountains, embellished by the Alaknanda river. It is believed that Lord Vishnu stayed here to meditate. To shelter the Laxminarayan, Goddess Lakshmi transmuted into a plum tree. In spite of being rare to the location, the plum trees constitute Badrinarayan. Narad, who is the unique devotee of both of them, is also worshiped here. There’s a charm about Badrinath which brings glimpse of quintessential beauty of nature in mind and fills the heart with peace and content.
Coinage for the Pilgrimage
Ek-dham Do-dham Teen-dham Chardham
Simple bus 1300/- 1800/- 2600/- 3200/-
Luxury bus 2000/- 2800/- 3900/- 4800/-
Taxi( 4-seater) 30,000/- for a tour of Chardham
Stays for days
Hundreds of hotels, dharamshalas, restaurants and dhabas are available for the convenience of pilgrims during Chardham yatra. Many hotels and dharamshalas are readily available in the Chardham Tour, which is completed in 10 days. Charges are roundabout,
Single bed: 200-300/- per day
Single room- 500-5000/- per day
However, when the four Dham journeys are on the peak, the cost of stay is likely to increase.
Well-being before Sight-seeing
Due to heterogeneous geographical conditions during the Chardham yatra, one should be especially vigilant and alert about health. In spite of the government’s claim of accessible health services during the Chardham route, you should get a medical check-up prior to the journey anyway. Pilgrims must also keep the necessary medicines and the First Aid Box. Chardham yatra is considered dangerous for the patients of asthma, heart disease, and blood pressure, who are therefore suggested to take their doctor’s advice before beginning the adventure.
LET’S ROW WITH THE FLOW!
To flow swiftly with the mountainous weather and geographical conditions of Chardham Yatra, which are fairly contrary to the plains, you are required to be prepared and equipped. Keeping warm clothes and blankets for Chardham yatra is mandatory to tackle the ice cold weather. Steep climbing path of Kedarnath and Yamunotri demands comfortable footwears and sticks for climbing mountains easily. Also, to morph with the unpredictable rains, an umbrella or raincoat would be handy.