Char Dham Yatra is a life changing pilgrimage. The ancient temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri that make up the Chota Char Dham Yatra. Uttarakhand is riddled with challenging terrain and jagged routes. The success of the pilgrimage not only depends on the right Char Dham Package choice but also on the preparation levels of the pilgrims. From staying updated on the road routes and tracking the weather conditions to going through some important Char Dham Travel Tips and learning from the experiences of the pilgrims who have already been on the yatra, the more you prepare the more it is good for you.
Here are some common frequently asked questions for Char Dham Yatra that would prove to be beneficial in planning out the trip for you.
What Are The Starting And Ending Date For Char Dham Yatra 2022?
Here are the dates of the Char Dham temples for 2022.
- Kedarnath Opening and Closing Date – 7th May – 26th October
- Badrinath Opening and Closing Date – 8th May – 20th November
- Gangotri Opening and Closing Date – 3rd May – 25th October
- Yamunotri Opening and Closing Date – 3rd May – 25th October
The Char Dham Yatra dates are decided by the head temple priest as per the Hindu calendar or the Panchang. The dates of the yatra are announced on the eve of Basant Panchami takes place in February.
What Is The Best Way Of Completing The Char Dham Yatra Circuit?
The easiest and the most secure way of completing the Char Dham Yatra is by booking the right Char Dham Package that suits your budget. If that is not a problem then it is best to book a Chardham Yatra by Helicopter since it includes VIP Darshan Pass that allows pilgrims to skip the long waiting lines outside the temple. The journey time is also cut substantially since the helicopter ride takes not more than 45 minutes to an hour to travel from one temple to the other. So instead of 10-11 days, it will only take a maximum of 4 days to cover the whole pilgrimage circuit.
What Are The Darshan Timings For The Char Dham Temples?
Here are the Char Dham temple timings to help you plan your trip better:
- Badrinath: 4 am to 9 pm / morning puja – 4:30 am to 6:30 am / Evening puja – 6:30 am to 12 noon and 3:00 pm.
- Kedarnath: 4 am to 9 pm / morning puja – 4 am to 7 am / evening puja – 6 pm to 7:30 pm / lunch break from 3 pm to 5 pm.
- Gangotri: 6:15 am to 9:30 pm / morning puja – 6 am / evening puja – 7:45 pm / morning Darshan timings – 6:15 am to 2 pm / evening Darshan timing – 3 pm to 9:30 pm.
- Yamunotri: 6 am to 8 pm / morning Aarti – 6:30 am / evening Aarti – 7:30 pm / Afternoon break – 12 noon to 2 pm.
What Is The Importance Of Char Dham Yatra In Hindu Culture?
The Char Dham Yatra is a very important part and a foundation of the Hindu belief system. According to the Vedas and ancient text sources, the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand is believed to grant moksha or the ultimate liberation from the karmic cycle of birth and rebirth. Some people also choose to please their ancestors by performing specific puja rituals to honor them.
Who Founded Char Dham?
The Char Dham Yatra was established by the great Hindu sage, seer, saint, and philosopher of the 8th century, Adi Shankaracharya. He debated his way throughout the country in an attempt to establish and reignite a feeling of deep spirituality and oneness among the Hindus which was being lost due to the constant bickering among the existing kingdoms and kings following different religions. He is also credited with finding the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu thought and also for commenting on various Hindu literature.
Is It Possible For Senior Citizens To Complete Chardham Yatra?
Yes. Senior citizens without any serious condition or underlying comorbidity and with decent fitness can complete the Char Dham Yatra. The best way of doing this would be to book a helicopter package for Char Dham Yatra. If not, then there are numerous alternative ways of reaching the temple by road. Just keep in mind that these temples are located in remote high altitude hill locations so it is important to take calculated steps the entire route.
What Are Some Important Essentials To Pack During The Yatra?
Some of the most important essentials to pack for the yatra include good quality warm inners, thermal layers, mufflers, ear muffs, and woolen socks and gloves. Other essentials include an emergency first aid kit, sunglasses, some packaged food or snacks, heat packs (if you are traveling during the winter season), water filter tablets, and a good pair of walking shoes.
What Are The Medical Facilities Available On The Char Dham Yatra?
The government of Uttarakhand has set up medical and health camps in all the Char Dham temple sites. These medical relief posts offer basic and quick medical services and checkups along with offering oxygen cylinder service for Yatris suffering from altitude sickness. They also have a basic medical first aid emergency box available in case you are suffering from fever, muscle strains, or stomach problems.
What Kind Of Accommodation Can I Expect During The Chardham Yatra?
The accommodation services offered in the Char Dham temple vicinity range from camping stays and low-budget hotels to expensive hotels and even government rest houses like GMVN. Keep in mind that these hotels and accommodation services remain shut down for 6 months so do not expect a high quality of comfort and amenities like the ones present at the hotels in the plains. Some hotels may not have running hot water services or high-quality bedding. This is because all these hotels are run in remote locations under extreme conditions so the pilgrims should not crib about it too much and keep an open mind about the stay situation here.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Char Dham?
The best time to go for Char Dham Yatra is during the spring-summer months of April to the first week of June. The weather remains clear and pleasant to not only travel to the temples but also check out some famous nearby sightseeing places around Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Even though technically it will be summer months, be sure to carry woolen and winter clothing since it turns extremely cold once the sun goes down.
These are some of the most famous frequently asked questions for Char Dham Yatra. If you are planning to go on this soul-searching journey on the Garhwal Himalayas or if you have already booked your Chardham Yatra Package, then these answers will definitely help you out.
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