About Char Dham
Chardham also known as Chota Chardham is an important Hindu Pilgrimage site located in the Himalayas of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, the circuit consists of four shrines- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath. Pilgrim visits these holy sites during April to November of every year, May- June & September-October are considered to be the best time to visit these four sites.
Chardham yatra is having a great importance among the people of Hindu religion, as it is believed that Chardham yatra helps you in attaining the “Moksha” & washing away all your sins. Every Person who believes in Hinduism must visit these four holy sites before dying.
This is the first Dham & source of river Yamuna, it is believed that one who visit this dham will be free from all the sins & the fear of Death, Yamuna Ji is the daughter of Surya(Sun) & sister of Yama( The God of Death) & Shani( The God of Karma). Yamunotri is located at an altitude of 3,291 M in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Yamuna ji also considered as Goddess of love & Devotion.
Gangotri is the second Dham & source of River Ganga, it is believed that by visiting the shrine & holy bath in the river wash away all your sins & purify your soul and help you in attaining the Moksha. Located at an altitude of 3,100 M in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Ganga Ji is considered as the Goddess of Knowledge.
Kedarnath is the third Dham in this holy yatra of four holy sites, Kedarnath is one of the Jyotirlingam out of 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva & it is believed that one who visit the dham will attain the Salvation & all your desires will come true & relieves you from all your sins. Kedarnath Dham is located at an altitude of 3,583 M in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.
This is the last Dham in this divine yatra of Chardham, Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is worshipped as the preserver of the universe in Hinduism. As per hindu mythology the temple was established by the sage Adi shankracharya ji in the 8 th century & it is believed that the temple have been built where lord Vishnu had meditated for thousands of years. Pilgrim visit this dham to seek blessings of the Lord Vishnu as he is having the power to fulfill all your desires & grant you the Moksha. Badrinath dham is located at an altitude of 3,100 M in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
Points to be remembered during Char Dham Yatra
There will be mix category of hotels during the char dhamYatra journey. The hotels in this sector cannot becompared to hotels in Metro cities. Also the power supply in this region is very erratic and there may belong power cuts. The power back up available with the hotels is for limited usage and may not last till thepower cut is restored.Accommodation will be provided on Double/ Twin sharing basis except at Kedarnath where it will be on DBL/ TRP/ QUAD sharing as per the real time availibility.
Most of the hotels provide simple meals with a limited menu option. Breakfast will generally include Tea/coffee, Parantha& curd, Poori&Bhaji or similar and Dinner will generally consist of 01 Seasonal Vegetable as available, 01 Dal, Roti, Rice and Sweet. (Achar, Chutney, Papad as accompaniments)
Normal Veg Thali Hot Tea
All meals will be on Fixed Menu basis.
*We shall try to organise variety in the menu on each day as per the availability of items at each place.
Transportation
- As a mandatory requirement, all vehicles have to get a vehicle fitness done and obtain aGreen permit at Rishikesh. At times It takes approximately 03-04 hours.
- The terrain in the CharDham region is hilly with some rough patches . The drives may be a little bumpy attimes and slow due to the terrain and the traffic on roads during the Yatra days.
- AC in the coach will switch off during hill drives.
- The parking lots at Sonprayag and Phoolchatti are limited and the group would be required to return to
- the specified place to board the coach at a prefixed time. Your accompanying guide/ driver will be there toadvise you on the same. It is required to keep pace with the group at these places so as to cover the
- day’s activity and return to the coach on time with rest of the group.
- Though we will provide the best transport for your travel, technical faults are unpredictable. Incase, of anybreakdown we will have the group travel on best available alternate options as it may take some time forvehicle repair or replacement.
- Pilgrim vehicles after 8 PM are not allowed to run as per the law of stategovernment. We shall ensure that the group reaches the destination prior to 8 PM.
- Incase the group orany of the group members are delayed due to any Force Maejure situation or unavoidablecircumstances , the accompanying guide/ driver/ Parikrama Journey representative will help them in booking accommodation at the nearest placeon direct payment basis.
- There would be no refund for their unutilized room(s) at the hotel as mentionedin the itinerary where the group/client was scheduled to stay for the night.
Network Connectivity
In the remote locales during ChardhamYatra, mobile and internet connectivity is poor. BSNL offers the best possible connectivity for telecommunications and internet data usage. Buy yourselfa BSNL SIM, if required in Delhi..Sometimes, due to poor connectivity reaching your group members or accompanying guide/escort/driver over phone may not be possible. Though the accompanying guide will ensure that the group travels together & will keep track of movement of all group members, however if any of the group member is not able to keep pace with the group, we would request them return to the transport vehicle at the pre-fixed time.
Biometric Registration :
Chardhamyatra Registration is Compulsory for all the devotees who are interested to go for ChardhamYatra. - ChardhamYatra Registration is also known as Yatra pass, Yatra Permits, Registration Cards. Now the state government has made arrangements for biometric registration of the all the visitors. Also,each of the visitors will be tracked with a GPS-based monitoring system so that tourist flow can bechecked for a particular Dham and this will be help to make their journey safe as regular updates willbe recorded for their location whether they are going for pilgrimage, adventure or Leisure or holidays.
Biometric Registration Counters Locations in Char Dham Yatra
Place in Char Dham Yatra |
Registration Counter Location |
|---|---|
| Haridwar | Railway Station |
| Haridwar | Pandit Din Dayal Upadhaya Parking |
| Rishikesh | Roadways Bus Stand |
| Rishikesh | Hemkund Guru Dwara |
| JankiChatti | JankiChatti |
| Gangotri | Gangotri |
| Guptkashi | Guptkashi |
| Phata | Phata |
| Sonprayag | Sonprayag |
| Kedarnath | Kedarnath |
| Pandukeshwar | Pandukeshwar |
| Govindghat | Govindghat |
| Uttarkashi | Hina |
| Uttarkashi | Dobata |
Health Check Up
The Health department has decided to allow only those pilgrims 'passing' a healthtest to undertake the Char Dhamyatra. The decision has been taken to prevent the growing number ofcasualties among pilgrims.The authorities also stated that only those pilgrims who pass the health screening test will be allowed tovisit the Kedarnath shrine. Pilgrims above 65 years of age will be asked to undergo health check-ups atmedical facilities located in Guptkashi, Phata and Songprayag. Apart from this, the department hasadvised people suffering from chronic diseases, renal failure, heart ailment, bronchial asthma etc. tosubmit fitness certificates issued by a doctor before embarking on the yatra. Post the medical check- up, a slip (medical certificate) is issued by the authorities to be handed over to the police post at Gaurikund. On misplacing the slip, the procedure has to be followed again.
TRAVEL TIPS: Do’s & Don’ts
Do’s
- At least a month before the Char DhamYatra, it is advisable to start preparatory exercises: Even abrisk walk of about 4 to 5 km per day would be beneficial. Breathing exercises like Pranayama wouldhelp combat the lack of sufficient oxygen at high altitudes.
- Ensure you are physically and mentally fit to perform the journey as the Yatra involves trekking atan altitude of 1,4000ft. Get yourself medically examined and certified fit for the journey
- Always drink packaged drinking water.
- Eating boiled, cooked or fried food is a suggested rather than anything cold or raw. Avoid cold salads,raw vegetables, drinks with ice etc.
- Always ensure you have some dry eatables like chocolates, milk powder, dry fruits, glucose powder,sugar, candies, honey, lemons etc. with you
- Registered pony walla, porter, dandy man may only be hired. They are available for prefixed tariffs.
- When asking for directions, speak to shopkeepers, not pedestrians. Check with at least two personsor more.
- Always respect local customs
- If you are carrying Digital Camera or Handy cam, do carry extra pair of battery, as there is no
- guarantee if there is electricity for charging you equipment.
- Carry a small torch. It is essential equipment as lights can go off at any time.
- Always carry a raincoat and an umbrella during travel
- Carry personal toilet items, they are very useful during the breaks in long journey of Char Dham.
- Pack a medical kit with painkillers, antibiotics, cough lozenges and medicines for cold and fever andany personal medication that your previous medical history may deem necessary. It is always betterto consult a doctor and ask his/her opinions before choosing what medication to carry.
- Do carry sufficient heavy woollens clothes including sweaters, woollen thermal body warmers,
- trousers, monkey caps, mufflers, wind cheaters, raincoats, sleeping bags, blankets, water proof
- shoes with sufficient grips, torch with sufficient batteries and walking sticks. Suggested clothing forladies- SalwarKamiz, pants or any other body hugging clothes & it is recommended to avoid wearingsarees.
- Ensure that your luggage is waterproof.
Don’ts
- Do not take rest at places where boards displaying caution are placed.
- Do not take bath or clean your articles at /near water-bodies unless they are designated as Ghats forthe same.
- Do not take pictures if cameras are not allowed in any particular area and always respect customsof locals.
- Do not throw wrappers of chocolates etc. on road or in the forest trek during journey
- Do not try to wash hands/ clothes/ bath in the rivers en-route your way.
- Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
- Do not overstrain on steep gradients.
- Do not carry heavy Jewellery during journey.
General Information
- We have tried our best to provide all the information on Char Dham.
- The program involves tough hill drives and varying climatic conditions in Uttarakhand during Yatrafrom extreme hot to extreme cold.
- The local authorities may take measures such as route diversions to combat traffic jams/congestiondue to the heavy rush of Yatris. Time taken to reach the destination will be dependent on the same.
- During yatra season the traffic is allowed on the roads from 5 AM till 8 PM only.
- Official Check-in time at hotels is 1300hrs & Official Check-out time at the hotels is 1000 hours asper hotel policy. Request for early check-in or late check-out is subject to availability.
- Force Majeure: Parikrama Journey Limited shall not be liable to pay any compensation where the performanceor prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by or you otherwise sufferany damage or loss as a result of “force majeure”. In these Booking Conditions, “force majeure” meansany event which Parikrama Journey or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with alldue care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include change in sightseeing or routing due to weather,political or traffic conditions, group/client(s)unable to reach the specified hotel for night stay or requiredto extend the stay in any hotel or stay at an alternate hotel due to traffic congestion, landslides, weatherconditions, illness or any unforeseen circumstances whatsoever, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife,actual or threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weatherconditions, fire and all similar events outside our control. Parikrama Journey and its associates are notliable for any compensation for damage caused by above force majeure situations or any other forcemajeure/ unforeseen events that Parikrama Journey could not have prevented eventhrough utmost care. Parikrama Journey will aim to limit the damage and supplement cost thatclients/agents will have to incur for making alternate arrangements deviating from the planned programdue to any force majeure situation or otherwise. The alternate commodation/arrangements would besubject to availability and on direct payment.
Important Notes
- It is mandatory to carry a valid photo identity card (Passport / Driving Licence / Voter ID card). IfOnline registration has been processed, please carry the same ID as given at the time of onlineregistration
- For Infants Birth certificates is mandatory with an extra photo copy. For children please carryPassport/ Aadhar card/ School/College id card along with Birth Certificate & extra photo copy.
- Guests will be responsible for their personal belongings such as mobile /camera/cash/ credit cardsetc. Parikrama Journey will not be responsible for loss of any such items. The accompanyingescort/guide / driver will assist in taking the client (s) to the nearest police station to file an FIR. Any costincurred for the same will be borne by the client(s).
IN CASE OF ANY SERIOUS MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL 108 (THE MOBILE EMERGENCY SERVICE FORGOVERNMENT OF UTTARAKHAND). DON'T MAKE FAKE CALLS, AS IT IS A PUNISHABLE OFFENCE.
Helicopter Service
Please note that the guests may opt for helicopter service for Kedarnath visit on additional supplement cost . However, they would need hotel accommodation in Guptkashi on additional supplement as they will be coming back earlier than the other group members. Seats are limited and on first come first serve basis. WE would request you to please advise us for booking helicopter service at the earliest. Or Coordinate Parikrama Journey sales Person. Please forward the details of the guests who would like to opt for the helicopter service for Kedarnath visit as per the below format at the earliest enabling us to book the same:
Sr.No. |
Name |
Age |
Weight |
DOB |
Aadhar/ Pass Port |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | |||||
| 2. | |||||
| 3. |
- Timings for chopper from phata -Kedarnath or Kedarnath-Phata 7:00 am to 4:00 pm (operationalsubject to weather conditions)
- Pay extra for Kedarnath shuttle by ₹ 300 per kg above weight 90 kg. which they can pay ondirect payment basis or well in advance)
- From Phata -Kedarnath last choppers ,client will be stay in kedarnath and next day morning returnapprox ( 7:00 am by first to Phata)
- Time allotment same day at helipad counter
- For VIP darshan& over weight charge can paid directly at helipad counter
- If client return same day to phata , supplement cost applicable
- There is very limited space for luggage in the chopper. Only 5 kg luggage per passenger willbepermitted. Passengers bringing excess baggage would not be allowed to take the same in thechopper.
- Passengers should carry only handbags as suitcases cannot be kept in the helicopter