A complete Travel Guide For Char Dham Yatra
The Char Dham is one of the holiest journeys in India. The main Char Dham of India includes Badrinath in Uttarakhand, Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, Jagannath Puri in Odisha, and Dwarka in Gujarat. Besides that, the Chota Char Dham in Uttarakhand holds the same significance as the Bada Char Dham of India. The Char Dham in India includes four prominent destinations i.e. Yamunotri, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, Gangotri, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, Kedarnath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Badrinath, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This sacred Char Dham Yatra is thronged by the pilgrims during the peak season. Apart from its spiritual value, the journey is equally challenging that include rugged terrains, cold weather etc. If you are planning top to approach for the Char Dham Yatra, so here we have provided you a complete guide on how to travel Char Dham in the easiest way. The following information will be helpful for the first timers who are going to plan for Char Dham Yatra. When to Visit Char Dham First of all, you should know when the doors of the sacred shrines will open. The Char Dham is closed from November, after Diwali till the month of April/ May due to heavy snowfall. The doors of Yamunotri and Gangotri open on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya. Kedarnath temple opening date is fixed and it is decided on the auspicious day of Shiv Ratri. Badrinath temple opening date is also fixed and it is decided the Raj Purohit on the auspicious day of Basant Panchmi. During the month of May, the region is thronged by the pilgrims. So, it is suggested do advancing bookings or planning your Char Dham Trip after May – June. Don’t Plan during the monsoon season as it is highly difficult to travel due to rainfall and landslides.
Book Package or Plan by Your Own As it is the very much popular pilgrim journey for the devotees, so you can have lots of travel operators who offer best deals on Char Dham Packages. You can book your Char Dham Travel Package from any travel agency web portal. You can take help from the friends or relatives who have already experienced any travel company who provided them the best deal and service. Char Dham Package tour helps in many ways as you don’t have to worry about rout, accommodation, transportation, meals etc. You can have a hassle-free and enjoyable journey. You can have a tailor-made package and decide the date and types as per your convenience. Apart from that, planning by your own is also possible but a bit hectic as well. Single Dham or Do Dham can be done easily by your own but for Char Dham, it will be quite tiresome. You can also opt for the taxi services from Haridwar or Rishikesh. Taxi services are available for small group, around 4 members and for a large group, around 10 members. The fare of the taxi may be on per day basis. Physical Fitness Matters As we have mentioned above that the journey is challenging because of high altitude, harsh weather, difficult treks, and other such things. It is advisable to consult your doctor before approaching for the Char Dham Trip. A person having a breathing problem, acrophobia, heart related issues, High BP, etc. must think twice before planning. Important Things to be carried There are various important things that should be included in your list so that you can complete your journey comfortably. Such important things are like: • • • •
Extra woolen and warm clothes should be carried as the regions are surrounded by snow-laden mountain peaks and the temperature is usually colder. Travel torch, candle & match boxes should be carries as the power supply at various places is erratic. Light Food Items like dry fruits, toffees, chocolates, glucose biscuits, wafers, and chips etc. to get instant energy while traveling. A water bottle should always be part of your backpack. Medical kit including your routine medicines and other medicines for pain, stomach infection, fever, cold, cough, allergy etc. should be kept with you during the Char Dham Tour. It also includes Band-Aids, crepe bandages, ointments, moisturizers, antiseptic, sunscreen etc.
Those who not able to trek can opt for Ponies, Palkies, or Pithus. Apart from that, they can also opt for the helicopter services for a comfortable journey. So, things have to be noted before planning for the Char Dham Trip to have a hassle-free and the happy journey.
