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Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days |
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Places Covered : |
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DELHI - HARIDWAR – RISHIKESH - JOSHIMATH - BADRINATH - JOSHIMATH - RUDRAPARAYAG – SONPRAYAG - KEDARNATH - SIYALSORE - GANGOTRI - UTTARKASHI - HANUMAN CHATTI -YAMNOTRI – HANUMAN CHATTI - RISHIKESH - DELHI - DEPART. |
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Char Dham is a term coined for the four most revered Hindu pilgrimage destinations of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
According to the Puranas and various Hindu scriptures, the Char Dham Yatra is of very high religious significance. Pilgrims from all around the world brave the severe conditions of landscape and weather to visit the shrines and have a holy darshan of the revered deities. |
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Badrinath |
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Badrinath Temple is the abode of Lord Vishnu. It is situated at an altitude of 3130 m at the banks of Alaknanda. In the backdrop, is the Neelkanth mountain peak situated between the twin peaks of Nar and Narayan. The name is derived from wild berries called Badri. Adi Shankarcharya established the idol of Vishnu in the temple. Near the temple is a hot water sulphur spring, Tapt Kund. |
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| Kedarnath |
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The temple of Kedarnath dedicated to Lord Shiva is revered and visited by many pilgrims every year. The temple is situated at an altitude of 3580 m amidst the background of snow covered mountain peaks and greenery. The temple is built of large, heavy and evenly cut grey slabs of stones and is considered more than 1000 years old. The temple has a garbha griha where a conical rock formation is situated and a Mandapam for seating of pilgrims and visitors. A large statue of the Nandi Bull is situated outside the temple door. The nearest bus stop is Gaurikund and pilgrims have to trek 14 kms to reach the temple. |
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Gangotri |
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The shrine of Gangotri is situated at an elevation of 3200 m surrounded by deodars and pines. The original temple was constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa. Every year people from all around the world visit this shrine. A number of ashrams and dharamshalas are located on the other side of the river. It is believed that Raja Bhagirath used to worship Shiva on a slab of rock "Bhagirath Shila" situated near the temple. Submerged in the river there is a natural Shivling where, according to mythology, Lord Shiva sat when he received the Goddess Ganga in his matted locks. A days trek takes one to Gaumukh, the source of the mighty Ganges. |
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| Yamunotri |
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Yamunotri Temple lies in the western region of Garhwal Himalayas. It is situated at a height of 3235 m. Goddess Yamuna, the river goddess is worshipped here and has special significance in Hindu scriptures. The idol is made of black marble. The river Yamuna emerges from Yamunotri glacier which is at a height of 4420 m near the Kalind mountain. This was the home of Sage Asit. The temple was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. A hot sulphur spring pond is situated at Yamunotri close to the temple.Nearby Places of interest include Surya Kund, Divya Shila, Sayanachatti, Janakichatti and Hanuman Chatti. |
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| DAY 01 : DELHI -HARIDWAR -RISHIKESH |
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After breakfast drive to Rishikesh (240 kms. / 6-7 hrs). Lunch en-route
Haridwar: Hardwar or Haridwar are two names for the same piece. The whole of Uttranchal is dotted with temples of vishnu & shiva. Vishnu is known as Hari and shiva as har dwar means gate, and it is for this reason that this place is known as haridwar or hardwar, as it is the gateway to shri badrinath and shri Kedarnath, the holy shrines of hari and har. The hindu pantheon allows freedom of worship of gods in any form.
It is the starting point for the char dham pilgrimage of the Hindus in which pilgrims go to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and badrinath to seek spiritual salvation. On the way to the Garhwal Himalayas and the Sikh shrine at Hemkund sahib one passes Rishikesh. We will be staying at Rishikesh and most scenic place is GANGA RESORTS although other luxury resorts and hotels are also available. |
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| DAY 02 : RISHIKESH -JOSHIMATH |
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Leaving RISHIKESH early morning for Joshimath via Devprayag, Ruderprayag, Karanprayag and Nandprayag see those places famous for confluence of two great river and proceed to Joshimath via Chamoli and Pipalkoti. Arrived Joshimath late afternoon visit adi guru shankracharya seat Narshimha temple or a visit to Auli (famous winter hill resort for skiing)Drive another 14kms to Auli and check into MHE Himalayan Lodge. |
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| DAY 03 : JOSHIMATH– BADRINATH- JOSHIMATH |
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Leave Auli early in the morning for Badrinath ji reach Badrinath at 11 am.
BADRINATH : Badrinath is one of the four dhams of the country and situated at an elevation of 3133 mts. above sea level, guarded on either side by the two mountain ranges known as NAR & NARAYAN, with the towering NEEL KANTH PEAK providing a splendid back-drop. This revered spot was once carpeted with wild barriers which gage it the name "badri Van" meaning forest of berries. Facing the temple at the back of Alaknanda River there is a hot water spring known as TAPT KUND. |
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BADRINATH TEMPLE : Dedicated to lord vshnu, the temple of shri badrinathji is 15 mts. In height built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a flit bull and spire. Legend dates the temple prior to the vedic age. Return to AULI for overnight. |
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| DAY 04 : JOSHIMATH - RUDRAPARAYAG - SONPRAYAG |
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After early morning Darshan at Badrinathji again start drive to Rudraprayag. Via chamoli- Nandprayag- Gauchar, for Rudraprayag, famous for two-river confluence Alaknanda and Mandakini river) TEMPLES: Rudranath and Chamunda Devi arrived in the evening. Leave Rudraprayag for Sonprayag via Guptkashi. Arrival early afternoon at Sonprayag. SONPRAYAG:Situated at the confluence of Soneganga and Mandakini river. The road to Trijuginarayan diverts from here. |
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TRIJUGINARAYAN : According to legend, this was the place where the weeding of Lord Shiva and Parvati was solemnized. In front of the Shiva temple, is an eternal flame, which is said to be a witness to the marriage. Can be reach by 12km drive from Sonprayag. Evening free to enjoy the surroundings.
Dinner and overnight stay at Sonprayag.
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| DAY 05 : SONPRAYAG - KEDARNATH |
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Early morning dep.to Gaurikund (14 km trekking) after having morning bath at hot spring "KUND" Gaurikund leave for trek to Kedarnathji temple by dolly-pony (14 km) reach Kedarnathji in afternoon |
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KEDARNATH TEMPLE : An imposing sight standing in the middle of a wide plateau surrounded by snow covered peaks. The present temple built in 18th century A.D. by Adi Shankaracharya, stands adjacent tot he site of earlier temple built by the Pandavas. The inner walls of the assembly hall are decorated with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology. Outside the temple door a large statue of the Nandi bull stands as guard.
Dedicated to lord Shiva, the exquisitely architecture, and Kedarnath temple is considered to be more than 1000 years old.
Built of extremely large heavy and evenly cut Grey Slavs of stones. It evokes wonder as to how these heavy slavs had been handled in the earlier days.
The temple has a "Garbha Griha" for worship and mandap appt. for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. A concial rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as lord Shiva in his sadashiva form. Rest at bungalow visit to Kedarnath ji temple for aarti, darshan.
Overnight stay at tourist guesthouse.
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| DAY 06 : KEDARNATH -SIYALSORE |
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Trek down from Kedarnath ji to Gaurikund to get your parked bus or car and drive to Syalsore only 70 km to complete. Rest at riverside resort.
Overnight stay at Siyalsore at tourist guest house. |
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| DAY 07 : SIYALSORE -UTTARKASHI |
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Leave Siyalsore to Uttarkashi (180 km) via Ghansil - Baldianaa. Arrival Uttarkashi late afternoon visit to famous Nehru mountaineering inst. MHE Camp. |
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DAY 08 : UTTARKASHI – GANGOTRI-UTTARKASHI |
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Leave Uttarkashi to Gangotri via Lanka-Bjaironghati. Arrived Gangotri afternoon Gangotri. The shrine of Gangotri situated at an elevation of 3200 mts. above sea level.
Evening free for darshan-pooja at Ganga Ji. |
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EMPLE GANGOTRI- As legend goes raja Bhagirathi used to worship lord Shiva at the sacred stone near which the temple is located. It is believed that goddess, Ganga first descended to earth from heaven at this stone. Amar Singh Thapa, the Gorkha commander of Garhwal, in the 18th century A.D. constructed his temple. It is also believed that the Pandava come here to perform the great deva yagna to atone the death of their kinsmen in the beetle of MAHABHARATA. Return to Uttarkashi for the night. |
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DAY 09 : UTTARKSHI – HANUMAN CHATI |
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Leave Uttarkashi for Hanuman Chatti. Rest night stay at Hanuman Chatti. |
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DAY 10 : HANUMAN CHATTI -YAMNOTRI – HANUMAN CHATTI |
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Trek to Yamunotri temple (13 km) YAMUNOTRI: situated at a elevation of 3235 meters above sea-level, the shrines of Yamunotri.
The source of Yamuna lies about 11 km ahead at an attitude of about 4421 meters. The approach is extremely difficult and pilgrims therefore offer Pooja at the temple itself. Hanumanchatti or 5 km from Jankichatti. Darshan Pooja trek back or come down to Jankichatti 6 km below the temple. Overnight stay at Syanachatti at tourist guesthouse. |
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DAY 11 : HANUMAN CHATTI - RISHIKESH |
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Leave for Rishikesh. (208 kms). Dinner and overnight stay at hotel. |
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DAY 12 : RISHIKESH - DELHI/Depart |
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Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Delhi (230 km). Arrived Delhi by late evening. |
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