Uttarakhand, often referred to as DevBhumi or the “Land of Gods”, houses the sacred Char Dham shrines nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. These shrines—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri—hold great spiritual significance. Each dham is associated with a different deity: Lord Vishnu in Badrinath, Lord Shiva in Kedarnath, and the goddesses Ganga and Yamuna in Gangotri and Yamunotri respectively. The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most spiritual and revered journeys in Uttarakhand.
The divine valleys of the Garhwal Himalayas carry stories and legends that date back thousands of years. These four sacred temples are located across the districts of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli. Initiated by the great reformer and philosopher Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, this pilgrimage starts from Haridwar, which is well connected to all the dhams. The route is filled with mesmerizing natural beauty and life-changing experiences.
The Char Dham Yatra begins at Yamunotri, followed by Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and finally Badrinath. The entire route is well connected by roads, making it accessible and straightforward. Here’s a breakdown of each dham’s route:
Located at an elevation of 3,133 meters above sea level on the left bank of the Alaknanda River, Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Lord Vishnu meditated here for centuries.
| Destination | Distance |
|---|---|
| Delhi to Haridwar | 206 kms |
| Haridwar to Rishikesh | 24 kms |
| Rishikesh to Devprayag | 74 kms |
| Devprayag to Srinagar | 34 kms |
| Srinagar to Rudraprayag | 33 kms |
| Rudraprayag to Karnaprayag | 31 kms |
| Karnaprayag to Nandprayag | 21 kms |
| Nandprayag to Chamoli | 10 kms |
| Chamoli to Joshimath | 48 kms |
| Joshimath to Badrinath | 42 kms |
Kedarnath, at 3,584 meters elevation near the Mandakini River, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The routes are well-maintained and lead to the sacred Jyotirlinga where Lord Shiva is believed to manifest in a fiery column of light.
Gangotri, situated at 3,200 meters in Uttarkashi, is visited by thousands seeking spiritual cleansing in the sacred River Ganga.
Yamunotri, the westernmost dham, is the source of the Yamuna River. The temple, built by Maharaja Pratap Shah, is known for its natural hot springs at Janki Chatti.
The entire Char Dham Yatra covers approximately 1,607 km, beginning from Haridwar and concluding at Rishikesh. Below is a detailed distance chart:
| Destination | Distance |
|---|---|
| Delhi to Haridwar | 210 km |
| Haridwar to Barkot | 220 km |
| Barkot to Yamunotri | 36 km drive + 7 km trek |
| Barkot to Uttarkashi | 100 km |
| Uttarkashi to Gangotri | 100 km |
| Uttarkashi to Rudraprayag | 180 km |
| Rudraprayag to Kedarnath | 74 km drive + 20 km trek |
| Rudraprayag to Badrinath | 160 km |
| Badrinath to Rishikesh | 297 km |
| Rishikesh to Delhi | 230 km |
Note: Driving in hilly areas is restricted from 8 PM to 4 AM.
Yes, all the Char Dhams are accessible by road. However, for Kedarnath and Yamunotri, devotees are required to undertake treks of approximately 20 km and 6 km respectively.
Several major and alternate routes exist for the Chardham Yatra:
The traditional sequence for Char Dham Yatra is:
This order is followed to maintain spiritual balance and comfort during the journey.
Yes, trekking is required at two locations during the Char Dham Yatra:
The Char Dham Yatra spans approximately 1,607 km, starting from Haridwar and concluding at Rishikesh. Below are the key travel segments:
| Destination | Distance |
|---|---|
| Delhi → Haridwar | 210 km |
| Haridwar → Barkot | 220 km |
| Barkot → Yamunotri | 36 km drive + 7 km trek |
| Barkot → Uttarkashi | 100 km |
| Uttarkashi → Gangotri | 100 km |
| Uttarkashi → Rudraprayag | 180 km |
| Rudraprayag → Kedarnath | 74 km + 20 km trek |
| Rudraprayag → Badrinath | 160 km |
| Badrinath → Rishikesh | 297 km |
| Rishikesh → Delhi | 230 km |
Yes, all four dhams are well connected by motorable roads. However, trekking is necessary for reaching Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples.
You can purchase Chardham route maps from local shops in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Additionally, digital maps are available online from various travel portals and official Uttarakhand tourism websites.
There are four major temples in the Char Dham circuit:
This pilgrimage is also called the “Chhota Char Dham” of Uttarakhand.
