Located in the serene lap of the Himalayas, Char Dham in Uttarakhand is one of the most sacred pilgrimage circuits in India. Comprising Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, the Char Dham Yatra holds immense spiritual significance for devotees seeking peace, purification, and divine blessings.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims embark on this soul-stirring journey to connect with the divine and explore the natural beauty of Uttarakhand. Known as the “Land of Gods,” Uttarakhand offers a spiritual escape like no other.
Whether you're planning a traditional pilgrimage or looking for a guided travel experience, there are a variety of Char Dham Yatra packages available to suit every budget and comfort level. The Char Dham Yatra package cost typically ranges from affordable group tours to luxury helicopter services, making it accessible for all types of travelers.
This sacred journey not only offers religious fulfillment but also gives you a chance to witness the majestic mountains, pristine rivers, and ancient temples of the region. The Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra is more than just a trip—it's a transformative experience that stays with you for life.
About Char Dham, Uttarakhand – An Overview
The Char Dham in Uttarakhand, also known as Chota Char Dham, includes four sacred sites—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. These holy shrines attract thousands of pilgrims every year seeking spiritual peace and divine blessings.
We offer Char Dham Yatra packages tailored to your needs, with options ranging from budget tours to helicopter services. For details on the Char Dham Yatra package cost, contact us today and start your journey to the Uttarakhand Char Dham with expert guidance.
Char Dham Yatra – The Sacred Journey
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand starts on Akshaya Tritiya (April–May) and ends two days after Diwali. Pilgrims visit Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath mainly in May and June, before the monsoon season begins.
Though travel can be risky during heavy rains in July–August, road conditions have greatly improved thanks to government efforts. Since resuming in 2014 after the 2013 floods, the Chota Char Dham Yatra has seen record-breaking numbers—with over 41 lakh pilgrims this year alone.
Book your Char Dham Yatra package with us for a safe and soul-enriching journey. Contact us for updated Char Dham Yatra package costs and details.
Origin of the Chota Char Dham
The Chota Char Dham in Uttarakhand—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—draws inspiration from the original Char Dham defined by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. These sites represent key sects of Hinduism: Shakti, Shaiva, and Vaishnava.
Until the 1950s, these shrines were accessible only by tough mountain treks. After the 1962 Indo-China war, road development made the Uttarakhand Char Dham more reachable. Today, pilgrims can travel by road up to Badrinath and Gangotri, with short treks to Kedarnath and Yamunotri.
Modern infrastructure and our well-planned Char Dham tour packages make this sacred journey easier than ever.
Pilgrimage – Yamunotri
The Chota Char Dham Yatra begins with Yamunotri, the sacred source of the Yamuna River and the origin point of the goddess Yamuna. Located at an altitude of 3,293 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas, this holy site is home to the revered Yamunotri Temple and natural hot springs at Janki Chatti, 7 km away.
Though the actual source of the river lies higher at Kalind Mountain (4,421 meters) and is inaccessible, pilgrims offer prayers at the temple itself. Yamunotri marks the first stop in the Uttarakhand Char Dham pilgrimage, offering spiritual peace amidst scenic Himalayan beauty.
Gangotri
It is the source of the Ganges and the head of the Goddess Ganga. Situated on the banks of the river Bhagirathi, Gangotri is situated at a distance of approximately 99 km from Uttarkashi, the main district headquarter. According to popular Hindu legend, Goddess Ganga descended here when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. The origin of the holy river is at Gaumukh, set in the Gangotri Glacier and is a 19 km trek from Gangotri. Locals believe that the original Gangotri Temple was built by the Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa.
Kedarnath
It is the site where pilgrims believe the Hindu God Lord Shiva to be venerated as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is located at a distance of approximately 223 km from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. The township is built on a barren stretch of land on the shores of the Mandakini River. The mesmerizing scenery of the Himalayas and green pastures makes it one of the most attractive towns ideal for both pilgrimage as well as trekking. The town remains flanked by snow-capped peaks, most prominently the Kedarnath Mountain.
Badrinath
This site is considered to be the seat of the Hindu God Vishnu in his aspect of Badrinarayan, one of the 108 Divya Desams. It gets its name from the Badrinath Temple. It is also considered to be the gateway to several mountaineering expeditions headed to mountains like Nilkantha. The mountains around Badrinath are mentioned in the Mahabharata, where the Pandavas were said to have expired one by one, when ascending the slopes of a peak in western Garhwal called Swargarohini. This place has also significance in Jainism as well.
Yamunotri
People also call this place by the name of Jamnotri. It is the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the Goddess Yamuna according to Hindu mythology. Located at an altitude of approximately 3,293 meters, it is one of the four sites of Chota Char Dham of Uttarakhand. The major attraction of this region is the temple dedicated to Goddess Yamunotri and the holy thermal springs at Janki Chatti which is 7 km away.
However, the actual source of this River is located at a much higher altitude (4,421 m above sea level) and hence, not accessible. Thus, pilgrims worship Goddess Yamuna at the temple itself. This temple was constructed during the reign of King Pratap Shah of Tehri, Garhwal. The deity inside this temple is made up of black marble. People worship Goddess Yamuna as their mother for nurturing and developing the Indian civilization.
Kedarnath Temple
Occupying the heart of the district of Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath Temple is the most remote of the four Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites. It is located at an altitude of approximately 3,583 m above sea level near the Chorabari glacier (source of Mandakini river). The town remains flanked by snow-capped peaks almost throughout the year. There are other places of interest that surround this temple such as Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Adi Sankaracharya Samadhi, and Rudra meditation cave.
Badrinath Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is situated at the heart of the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand. It remains open for 6 months every year (from April to November) due to unfavorable weather conditions prevailing in this region. Therefore, people planning to visit Chota Char Dham need to plan their trip somewhere between April to November. It holds the record of being one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the country with 2.8 million visits in just two months in 2022.
According to the locals, Adi Shankaracharya discovered a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan made of Shaligram stone in the Alakananda River. In the 16th century, the King of Garhwal moved the shrine to the present temple. The temple is approximately 50 ft tall with a small cupola on top that remains covered with a gold gilt roof. The architecture of this temple resembles that of a Buddhist temple, with a brightly painted façade.
Triveni Ghat
It is the most popular ghat in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand located at the banks of the Ganges. This region always remains overcrowded with devotees who arrive here only to take ritual baths to erase the sins they believe they have committed in their lives, knowingly or unknowingly. There are Gita temple and Lakshminarayan temple present on the bank of Triveni Ghat that tourists should definitely visit during their trip. Besides, tourists can also opt for a boat ride during the dawn, along the Ganges to witness the beauty and serenity of this place.
Best time to visit Char Dham
The best time to visit Char Dham is from April to June due to pleasant weather conditions during this period.
