Char Dham Yatra Open: The Char Dham Yatra 2024 is a trip to the four holy locations. In Hinduism, it is significant. “Four Dham” describes the pilgrimage to four hallowed temples in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, tucked away amid the gorgeous Himalayas. These are the temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Every temple honors several gods and distinct spiritual forces. Vishnu has a temple at Badrinath. Shiva has a temple in Kedarnath. Ganga has a temple at Gangotri. Yamuna has a shrine at Yamunotri. These Four Dham pilgrimage locations are located in Uttarakhand. It is sometimes referred to as the Land of Gods or Devbhoomi. In Hindi, “Char Dham” means “four” and “Dham” means “religious destination”.
Situated at high altitudes, all four temples are closed for six months out of the year. They are locked in October or November and reopen in April or May throughout the summer.
When does the Char Dham Yatra 2024 open?
- Gangotri Temple
- Opening Date: 10th May 2024
- Closing date: 12th November 2024 (Tentative)
- Yamunotri Temple
- Opening Date: 10th May 2024
- Closing date: 12th November 2024 (Tentative)
- Kedarnath Temple
- Opening Date: 12th May 2024
- Closing date: 14th November 2024 (Tentative)
- Badrinath Temple
- Opening Date: 12th May 2024
- Closing date: 21st November 2024 (Tentative)
- Opening Date: 10th May 2024
- Closing date: 12th November 2024 (Tentative)
- Opening Date: 10th May 2024
- Closing date: 12th November 2024 (Tentative)
- Opening Date: 12th May 2024
- Closing date: 14th November 2024 (Tentative)
- Opening Date: 12th May 2024
- Closing date: 21st November 2024 (Tentative)
The opening date is based on the holy eve of Akshaya Tritiya and the closing date is based on the holy eve of Vijay Dashmi or Dussehra.
Char Dham Yatra 2024 Opening Dates:
The Char Dham Yatra 2024 dates are set, therefore mark your calendars for this enlightening journey:
| Char Dham Temple | Opening Dates |
|---|---|
| Yamunotri Temple | 10 May 2024 at 7:00 AM |
| Gangotri Temple | 10 May 2024 |
| Kedarnath Temple | 10 May 2024 at 07:00 AM |
| Badrinath Temple | 12 May 2024 at 06:00 AM |
Char Dham Yatra 2024 Closing Dates:
| Char Dham Temple | Closing Dates |
|---|---|
| Yamunotri Temple | 03 November 2024 |
| Gangotri Temple | 03 November 2024 |
| Kedarnath Temple | 02 November 2024 |
| Badrinath Temple | 09 November 2024 |
History of Chardham Yatra
Well, there is no trace of actual history. However, it is believed that the tradition of Char Dham Yatra 2024 was started by the great reformer and philosopher Shankaracharya, also known as Adi Sankara. The Char Dham Yatra is believed to date back about 1200 years and until the mid-1200s it was known as Chota Char Dham. Hindu mythology attributes great significance to the Char Dham locations, which are connected to several Gods and Legendary occurrences. The goddess Yamuna is associated with Yamunotri, the location of the Yamuna River’s origins. Ganga, the goddess, is connected to Gangotri, the Ganges River’s source. One of Lord Shiva’s twelve Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath is associated with the story of Lord Shiva saving the Pandavas. It is said that Lord Vishnu pondered in Badrinath, which is devoted to him. Every temple has a long and rich history spanning several decades.
Best Time For Char Dham Yatra 2024
The Char Dham Yatra’s ideal time to start is determined in great part by the temples’ opening and closing dates as well as the local climate. Typically, the pilgrimage season spans from late April to November, with two main periods standing out as ideal times for the journey:
1. Summer Season (Late April to Mid-June)
From late April to June, the weather in the Char Dham region is generally pleasant. Mild temperatures and clear skies prevail, making it conducive for travel. The roads leading to the temples are usually open, ensuring easier accessibility for pilgrims. This period offers a comfortable and enjoyable experience for undertaking the pilgrimage without encountering extreme weather conditions.
2. Post-Monsoon (August to November)
After the monsoon season, which lasts from August to November, the air gets purer and the sky gets more clear. This time of year usually brings pleasant weather with bright skies and moderate temperatures. It’s another good time for the Char Dham Yatra 2024 since pilgrims may set out on their trek without having to deal with inclement weather.
It is noteworthy that the Char Dham Yatra 2024 is not advised during the monsoon season, which runs from July to August, because of the region’s difficult travel conditions, excessive rainfall, and landslides. In addition, because of severe weather and a lot of snowfall, the pilgrimage sites are often closed from November through April.
Before planning your visit, it’s advisable to check with the local authorities or the respective temple committees for the most up-to-date information regarding the opening and closing dates of the Char Dham temples. Additionally, ensure that you are well-prepared for varying temperatures and altitudes by carrying appropriate clothing and essentials for a safe and comfortable pilgrimage experience.
About Char Dham Yatra
- Yamunotri
- Gangotri
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
Yamunotri
It is the first stop of the sacred Char Dham Yatra. It is revered as the source of the holy river Yamuna. It is situated in the serene beauty of the Garhwal Himalayas in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is not just a physical journey, it is a spiritual journey for seeking purification, penance, and blessings from the divine.
The Yamunotri journey begins from the town of Hanuman Chatti, which is the base camp of this pilgrim site. Visitors have to trek about 6 km to reach the Yamunotri temple. The 6km trek is full of dense forests, gushing streams, and snow-capped peaks. It gives a beautiful experience.
One of the primary attractions of the Yamunotri trip is a holy shrine honoring the goddess Yamuna. The 19th-century Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal constructed it. Travelers from all over the world gather here annually to give prayers, carry out rituals, and look for blessings.
To further cleanse the soul and wash away sins, it is customary to immerse in the Yamuna River’s sacred water. Using the Surya Kund, a naturally occurring hot spring, to boil rice or potatoes is another well-known Yamunotri custom. There is something wonderful about Yamunotri. The prasad gets cooked by the water’s extreme heat. Other holy places include the historic Shani shrine, Janki Chatti, and the Yamunotri shrine.
Gangotri
Gangotri is the second stop on the Char Dham Yatra 2024. It is located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, in the region of Garhwal Himalayas. Pilgrims travel to Gangotri after Yamuntri. It is the source of the Ganges, sometimes referred to as Mother Ganges and Ganga Mata, the holy river. The journey of Gangotri starts from the town of Uttarkashi and the route is covered by the natural beauty of the Garhwal Himalayas, lush green valleys, and gushing rivers.
The holy Gangotri temple, devoted to the Goddess Ganga, is the focal point of the Gangotri pilgrimage. An 18th-century Gorkha chieftain named Amar Singh Thapa constructed this shrine. Situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi River lies this shrine. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Gangotri temple each year to carry out rituals, offer prayers, and seek blessings before taking a purity plunge in the Ganga river’s sacred waters. One of the most attractive things on the Gangotri journey is the Ganga River, which is performed every evening at the bank of the Bhagirathi River. Several lamps are lit, hymns are sung and prayers are offered to the goddess Ganga by the thousands of pilgrims together. It is a very divine atmosphere. Apart from the Gangotri temple, Gaumukh Glacier is also a pilgrim site to visit.
Kedarnath
In Charm Dham Yatra, Kedarnath is the third stop stop. It is located in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, in the Garhwal Himalayas. For Hindus, it is among the most sacred and esteemed places to go on pilgrimage. Every year, thousands of visitors come here whether they are on Char Dham yatra or not. It is a temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The journey of Kedarnath starts in the town of Gaurikund. A challenging trek of approximately 16 km is required to reach the Kedarnath temple. The hike offers breathtaking vistas of rivers, valleys, snow-capped peaks, and other picturesque scenery.
The main highlight of Kedarnath journey is the sacred Kedarnath Temple. It is situated at an altitude of 3583 meters above sea level. It is built by the Pandavas of the Mahabharata. Surrounded by the Kedar Dome and Kedar Parvat, it is an ancient temple. As said, the six-month journey and shrine at Kedarnath are open. It remains closed for six months in winter due to extreme cold and snow. The Kedarnath trek is not easy. The challenging terrain, high altitude, and erratic weather make it challenging. It is a challenging journey physically or mentally to cover. Pilgrims must undertake the trek with caution like proper acclimatization and carry essential supplies like food, water, and warm clothing. Although Kedarnath trekking is well maintained, it has resting shelter and medical facilities, still, it is advised to keep cautious because the climate is unpredictable here.
Badrinath
Badrinath is the last stop on the Char Dham Yatra. It is situated in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. Badrinath holds immense significance and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the holiest and most revered pilgrimage sites in the Char Dham Yatra. The journey of Badrinath starts from the town of Joshimath. The route to Badrinath is replete with twisting roads, breathtaking Himalayan scenery, high hills, verdant valleys, and much more.
The Badrinath Temple is the primary focal point of the journey to Badrinath. The elevation of this location is 3133 meters above sea level. It is believed to have been built in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya. It is an ancient temple with an architectural marvel with carvings and sculptures. It is believed to be devoted to Lord Vishnu as the Badrinath grants salvation and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. One of the most revered rituals at Badrinath is the daily darshan of the deity, where visitors line up to catch the sight of lord Badrinarayan. This temple is also open for six months only during the summer season. Thousands of pilgrims across the whole world come here and devote their prayers and seek blessings. Apart from the Badrinath temple, the Tapt Kund is famous. Near the shrine is a naturally occurring hot spring. It is believed that it holds medical properties. The Mana village is also a famous spot near Badrinath temple because it is the last village on the Indian Border and holds mythological significance that the Pandavas stayed here during their exile. Badrinath Char Dham Yatra is a sacred journey, but challenging.
Conclusion
All Hindus are supposed to complete the Char Dham Yatra 2024 at least once in their lifetime. You can seek blessings, undergo spiritual rebirth, and establish a connection with the holy by traveling to the Char Dham Shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. It is also thought to purify the soul and wash away sins. Your wants and desires may be granted if you offer prayers to the char dham deities. You should embark on this path of faith and commitment alongside the people you love. Both physical and mental health are enhanced by the hiking and spiritual activities that are a part of the Char Dham Yatra. Everyone should embark on this life-changing adventure to improve their mind, body, and spirit.
FAQs
Q1. How to visit Char Dham in India?
Answer: The Char Dham Yatra is thought to be performed in a clockwise manner. As a result, the pilgrimage starts in Yamunotri, goes to Gangotri, then on to Kedarnath, before concluding at Badrinath. You might choose to finish the trip by air (helicopter services are available) or by road.
Q2. What is the correct sequence of Char Dham Yatra?
Answer: Char Dham follows a fixed sequence which always starts from the west and ends in the east, meaning Char Dham starts from Yamunotri, moves to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and ends at Badrinath.
Q3. Where does the journey to Char Dham start?
Answer: The holy pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri in Uttarkashi and goes up to Gangotri in the same district. The third destination of the yatra is Kedarnath temple in Rudraprayag district. The final destination is completed by visiting Badrinath Dham situated in Chamoli district. The distance traveled by Char Dham is 1,607 kilometers in total.
Q4. How much does it cost to go from Haridwar to Kedarnath?
Answer: It will cost you Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 from Haridwar to Kedarnath Temple.
Q5. Who built Char Dham in India?
Answer: An ideal pan-India pilgrimage circuit, the creation of the original Char Dham is attributed to the great 8th-century reformer and philosopher Shankaracharya (Adi Shankaracharya). Three of the original Char Dham sites—Puri, Dwarka, and Badrinath—are Vaishnavite, and Rameshwaram is Shaivite.
Q6. How many Dhams are there in India?
Answer: Char Dham Yatra: The journey to Char Dham i.e. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri has started. Char Dham Yatra is considered very auspicious in Vedas and Puranas. It is believed that a person who travels to Char Dham gets freedom from all sins.
Q7. What is the fare from Kedarnath to Badrinath?
Answer: The Joint Rotation Travel Arrangement Committee of 7 transport companies has unanimously decided to increase the passenger fare by 5 percent. That means, after the increase, the per-passenger fare of ordinary buses for Chardham Yatra will become Rs 3,938. Currently, it is Rs 3750.
Q8. What is the bus fare from Haridwar to Badrinath?
Answer: Haridwar to Badrinath taxi fare: Rs 5000 to Rs 8000 one way.
Q10. What is the distance from Rishikesh to Kedarnath?
Answer: So, this route from Rishikesh to Kedarnath is a combination of a road trip and a long journey. This is the most efficient, quickest, and shortest road trip from Rishikesh to Kedarnath. The distance between Rishikesh and Kedarnath on this route is approximately 208 km and it takes approximately 8 hours to reach Sonprayag.
Q11. How many days are required for Char Dham?
Answer: On the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya in the month of Chaitya, the Char Dham Yatra begins. It continues till Bhai Dooj. The entire journey will take you 11 to 12 days. If time permits, there are many other places to visit like Gaumukh, Tapovan, Along Valley, Bhaurvanath Temple, Vasuki Tal, Chopta, Auli, and Hemkund Sahib.
Q12. Which temples come in Char Dham?
Answer: Char Dham is a group of four religious places in India. Important temples of the four directions of India come under this sacred perimeter. Puri, Rameshwaram, Dwarka, and Badrinath are the names of these temples. In the eighth century, Adi Shankaracharya combined these temples into a single sutra.