Must-See Places Along the Char Dham Yatra Route in Uttarakhand

When you plan a Chardham Yatra trip, you might want to explore other beautiful spots nearby. Your busy schedule and limited time might stop you from traveling far away. But don’t worry! You can visit many wonderful temples and natural places right on your journey to the four holy shrines. You don’t need to waste extra time or go anywhere else. Here are the major attractions you’ll discover while traveling to the holy sites in Uttarakhand:

Haridwar & Rishikesh

Har ki Pauri – Hindu mythology tells us an amazing story about this place. Long ago, a king named Bhagirath prayed hard to Lord Shiva here. He wanted to save his ancestors from being born again and again in the world. Lord Shiva felt happy with his prayers and asked the holy Ganga River to flow through his hair. Bhagirath jumped into the river and rescued his ancestors from their sins. Today, thousands of people visit Har ki Pauri every year to pray for their ancestors.

Mansa Devi Temple – You can reach this temple by riding a cable car up a hillside. Many people believe that Goddess Mansa grants the wishes of people who truly pray to her. Pilgrims tie colorful threads with their wishes to the branches of a sacred tree in the temple. When their wish comes true, they return to remove the thread from the tree.

Chandi Devi Temple – This temple stands on top of Neel Parvat, a tall mountain. You can reach it by taking a bus from Mansa Devi temple. People worship Goddess Chandika Devi here. This temple is one of the most powerful holy places, and many true believers get their wishes granted here.

Ganga Aarti – Every evening, priests perform a special prayer ceremony called Ganga Aarti on the steps near Har ki Pauri. They sing beautiful religious songs and chant prayers that fill the air with peace. Hundreds of thousands of small lamps float on the water of the Ganga River, creating a magical and beautiful sight that makes everyone feel calm and happy.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh – This temple honors Lord Shiva in a special form called Neelkanth. According to ancient stories, Lord Shiva drank poison here during a churning of the ocean. The poison made his neck turn blue, so people named him Neelkanth, which means “blue throat.”

Trimbakeshwar Temple, Rishikesh – This popular temple in Rishikesh is a tall building with thirteen floors. Each floor has a shrine with a different form of Lord Shiva. You can cross the famous Laxman Jhula bridge to reach this temple. Many pilgrims visit every single day.

Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh – Three holy rivers meet at this special spot: the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. People believe that taking a bath where these three rivers join can wash away all their sins. The best part is watching the evening ceremony called Maha Aarti, where the smell of incense fills the air with holiness and mystery.

On The Way to Yamunotri

Kempty Falls, Mussoorie – On your way to Yamunotri, you can stop at these amazing waterfalls in Mussoorie. Travelers love to visit this waterfall because it makes the perfect picnic place. You can jump into cool, fresh water and feel refreshed under the falling water. You can also enjoy boating at the nearby Mussoorie Lake.

Barkot – This small town sits about 49 kilometers from Yamunotri and serves as the base camp for visitors going to Yamunotri. Adventure lovers can enjoy many exciting trekking trips from here. The beautiful mountain views, the sacred Yamuna River, and apple orchards make visitors feel amazed and happy.

Hanuman Chatti – Two rivers, the Yamuna and Hanuman Ganga, meet at this peaceful spot. The beautiful surroundings make it a wonderful place to enjoy nature. This calm location sits 13 kilometers from Yamunotri and appears on the trekking path to Dodital and Darwa Top.

Janki Chatti – This important stop on the Yamunotri Route is where visitors can ride in chairs carried by people or ride ponies to reach Yamunotri. This spot has hot springs with warm water that comes naturally from the ground. It marks the last village in this mountain area.

Saptrishi Kund – This beautiful lake sits 10 kilometers from Yamunotri with clear blue water and snowy banks. According to ancient Hindu stories, seven great wise men named Atri, Kashyapa, Vasistha, Bharadwaj, Gautama, Visvamitra, and Jamadagni performed prayers here for many years long ago.

Surya Kund – This hot spring near Yamunotri Shrine is the most important thermal spring in the area. The water temperature reaches about 88 degrees Celsius, which is very hot! Snow-covered mountains surround this amazing spring. Something special happens here: you can actually cook rice and potatoes in the hot water and take them home as a holy gift.

Divya Shila – A tall rock pillar stands near Surya Kund. Visitors pray at this rock before entering Yamunotri Shrine. The journey across this rock feels tiring, but it gives pilgrims a wonderful feeling of peace and calm in their hearts.

Kharsali – Just one kilometer from Janki Chatti sits this small town with the oldest Shani Dev Temple. Many followers of Lord Shani worship at this temple and then continue to Yamunotri. During winter months when Yamunotri Temple closes, people bring the statue of Goddess Yamuna to this temple. Pilgrims pray to this statue for six months until the main temple opens again.

On The Way to Uttarkashi

An ancient holy city stands on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. Uttarkashi has many beautiful temples and prayer centers. People traveling to Gangotri often spend a day here to ask blessings from the gods. Here you’ll find important religious spots in Uttarkashi.

Vishwanath Temple – This temple is the oldest and most sacred place that honors Lord Shiva. Old stories tell us that Lord Shiva appeared here to save a wise man named Rishi Markandeya from Yama, the god of death. The temple holds a sacred stone symbol of Lord Shiva, statues of Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesh, and shows Rishi Markandeya in prayer.

Shakti Temple – Across from Vishwanath Temple stands the Shakti Temple, which honors Goddess Durga. Visitors come here to ask Goddess Durga for blessings and to see a huge three-pointed weapon that people respect as a symbol of the goddess’s power.

On The Way to Gangotri

Gangnani (Hot water spring) – This natural hot spring sits about 46 kilometers from Gangotri. Many people who seek peace and quiet love visiting this spot. The hot water spring here is called Rishikund, and people believe you should bathe here before traveling to Gangotri.

Bhairon Ghati – This beautiful place sits 10 kilometers from Gangotri at the meeting point of the Bhagirathi River and Jat Ganga. A Bhairon Nath Temple stands here, surrounded by thick forests. You can reach this spot by crossing Jahanvi River and then walking uphill.

Harsil – This pristine and untouched gem of Uttarakhand offers amazing sights for travelers looking for peace. The flowing Bhagirathi River, fresh air, calm feelings, and singing birds all make this place special and wonderful.

The route brings you to the holy Gangotri shrine. Here you can see special treasures like the underwater Shivling, Gomukh Glacier, and Bhagirath Shila.

Submerged Shivling – Natural rock forms this holy symbol that sits underwater. Visitors find it exciting to see. During winter, the water level drops, so devotees can see the Shivling more easily. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva caught the Ganga River in his hair at this exact place.

Gomukh Glacier – The Ganges River starts at this glacier. It looks like the face of a cow, which is why people call it Gomukh. People believe the trip to Gangotri stays incomplete unless visitors bathe at this glacier. Many tourists visit every year because the sight is truly amazing.

Bhagirath Shila – The great wise man Bhagirath did long prayers here to bring the Ganga River down to earth. This place holds very important meaning for Hindu people. The exact stone platform where Bhagirath sat still stands there today.

On The Way to Kedarnath

Kalimath – This famous temple has deep cultural and spiritual meaning. It honors Goddess Kali and sits very high up at 6,000 feet above ground. The holy Saraswati River flows past this temple. Interestingly, there’s no statue of Goddess Kali inside. Instead, a silver plate represents the goddess.

Guptkashi – This religiously important town sits 47 kilometers from Kedarnath on the western side of Mandakini River. Pilgrims start their journey to Kedarnath from here. The town has the holy Ardhanarishwara Temple.

Ardhanarishwara Temple – This temple honors Lord Shiva. The statue shows Lord Shiva in a special way: half of the body looks female and half looks male.

The route continues to the holiest shrine of Lord Shiva – Kedarnath. After visiting Kedarnath, pilgrims return to Guptkashi. If you have extra time during your journey, you can visit Sonprayag, Triyuginarayan, and Gaurikund on your way back to Guptkashi.

Sonprayag – This sacred spot sits 1,829 meters high on the path to Kedarnath. Two rivers, Mandakini and Basuki, come together here. This place holds huge importance in Hinduism. Believers say taking a bath in this holy water helps people reach freedom from the cycle of life.

Triyuginarayan – People think this temple is even older than Kedarnath Shrine itself. A few kilometers from Sonprayag stands this amazing temple. A special fire that people keep burning always is here. Stories say that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married around this holy fire. The prayer ceremony here attracts many visitors traveling to Kedarnath.

Gaurikund – This place means a lot to people who worship Lord Shiva. According to Hindu beliefs, Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, did prayers here to win Lord Shiva’s heart. Gaurikund sits at a height of 1,982 meters.

On The Way to Badrinath

Chopta – People also call this place the mini Switzerland of Garhwal. Trekkers start their journey to Tungnath from here. The big Himalayan mountains like Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, and Trishul create beautiful views that catch everyone’s eye.

Tungnath Temple – This temple, more than 1,000 years old, honors Lord Shiva and ranks among the sacred temples of the Panch Kedar group. Old stories say that the arms of Lord Shiva fell here when the Pandava brothers chased him in the form of a bull.

Chandrashila Peak – Pilgrims can walk about 3 kilometers from Tungnath Temple to reach this peak. The path goes through oak forests and red flower plants with beautiful green grass. The incredible views of Himalayan mountains like Kedar, Chaukhamba, Trishul, and Nanda Devi from this peak absolutely take your breath away.

Gopinath Temple – This temple sits in Gopeshwar village in Chamoli district near Chopta and honors Lord Shiva. The most interesting thing about this temple is a three-pointed weapon that Lord Shiva threw at the god of love.

Mandal Valley – This beautiful valley on the route to Pipalkoti shows off nature’s gorgeous beauty. The wonderful sights make visitors feel happy and peaceful.

On your way from Pipalkoti to Badrinath, many spots attract visitors. These include Joshimath, Hanuman temple, Narshingha Temple, and Yogdhyan Badri at Pandukeshar.

Joshimath – This popular hill town is also a deeply respected pilgrimage place. People also call it Jyotrimath. Two sacred rivers named Dhauliganga and Alaknanda come together just below Joshimath.

Hanuman Mandir at Joshimath – This holy spot for Hindu believers honors Lord Hanuman. The ancient story book Ramayana mentions this temple.

Narshigha Temple of Joshimath – This temple honors Lord Vishnu and is almost 1,200 years old. Something special happens here: when winter begins, priests carry the statue of Badrinath god here in a parade. They keep the statue at Narshingha Temple for six months.

Hanuman Chatti – This place on the way to Badrinath has an ancient temple of Lord Hanuman. Old stories tell us that Lord Hanuman made the powerful warrior Bheema, the second Pandava brother, feel humble here. People who truly pray to Lord Hanuman at this temple receive all they wish for.

Yog Dhyan Badri at Pandukeshar – This holy temple stands in Pandukeshwar, where King Pandu, the father of the Pandavas, did meditation. Three statues sit inside the temple: Lord Vishnu, Madri, and Goddess Laxmi. People believe that the god Indra gave the statue of Lord Vishnu to Arjuna after Arjuna’s wonderful meditations made him happy.

The pilgrim moves forward and reaches the holy Badrinath Shrine. At Badrinath, besides the blessed statue of Badrinath, visitors can also explore other sacred and wonderful sights like Tat Kund, Brahma Kapal, Narad Kund, Bheem Pul, Vyasa Gufa, and Ganesh Gufa.

Tapt Kund – This hot spring is famous for helping people heal from sickness. People think this spring is where Lord Agni, the god of fire, lives. According to Hindu beliefs, you should jump into Tapt Kund before going to Badrinath Shrine.

Brahma Kapal – This sacred spot in Badrinath sits on the bank of Alaknanda River. The flat surface allows devotees to honor the spirits of their ancestors. It sits 100 meters north of Badrinath Shrine.

Narada Kund – This important religious spot near Tapt Kund holds special meaning. The wise saint Narada Muni wrote holy teachings called Narada Sutras at this place. A rock covers Narada Kund and blocks the water flow.

Bheem Pul – Across from Vyasa Gufa sits this enormous rock that acts as a natural path across Saraswati River. Old stories say that Bheem, one of the five Pandava brothers, threw a huge rock to make a bridge. He did this so that Draupadi could walk across easily.

Ganesh Gufa and Vyasa Gufa – Two sacred caves exist in Badrinath. The great saint Vyasa sat in Vyasa Gufa. In Ganesh Gufa, Vyasa told the story of Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha, and Ganesha wrote it down.

Mana Village – This village is the last Indian village before Tibet. It holds the Vyas Cave and Ganesh Temple. The great wise man Vyas asked Lord Ganesha to help him write the Mahabharata very quickly. Vyas Cave and Ganesh Temple connect to this amazing story.

Vasudhara Falls – You can reach these beautiful waterfalls through a 6-kilometer trek from Mana Village. The snow-covered mountains and glaciers that feed the Alaknanda River make an incredible sight at Vasudhara Falls.

Back From Badrinath to Rishikesh

Rudraprayag – Two sacred rivers, Mandakini and Alaknanda, come together at this town. It is one of five confluences of Alaknanda known as Panch Prayags. This famous town shows bright and amazing views to visitors.

Srinagar – This beautiful town sits on the banks of Alaknanda River and attracts visitors because of its ancient temples. Two of the most honored temples here are quite special.

Kamleshwar Mahadev Temple – This temple honors Lord Shiva. People believe that Lord Rama prayed to Lord Shiva here using his special power. This is why the temple received the name Kamleshwar.

Dhari Devi Temple – This temple stands on the banks of Alaknanda River. The statue of Goddess Dhari in the temple is believed to change her look during the day: she looks like a girl, then a woman, and then an old lady. The temple means a lot to local people.

Devprayag – This town also ranks among the Panch Prayags. The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Rivers come together here. Devprayag sits on the main road between Badrinath and Rishikesh. The chief priests of Badrinath shrine live in Devprayag.