Char Dham Yatra and Hemkund Sahib | Travel Guide & Helpline

Chardham Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus in India, also known as Chota Char Dham Yatra. It includes visiting four holy sites in the Garhwal Himalayas – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Chhota Char Dham Yatra begins on Akshaya Tritiya and ends on Bhai Dooj, two days after Diwali. 

The ideal time to undertake the Chardham Yatra is during the summer months. For this reason, most tourists come here from April to June. Monsoon time is not good for travel. Then September to November is the favorable time, after that the high-altitude temples remain closed during winter due to heavy snowfall. 

Travelers can complete the journey in as little as 5 days, though it typically takes 12 days. This involves tracking at altitude. Registration for the trip is mandatory and physical fitness is important. Although the Chardham Yatra is challenging, it provides an enjoyable experience of faith, culture, and Himalayan beauty.

Kapaat Opening Dates for year 2025

1. Yamunotri – 30 April, 2025.
2. Gangotri – 30 April, 2025.
3. Kedarnath – 02 May, 2025.
4. Badrinath – 04 May, 2025.
5. Hemkund Sahib – 25 May, 2025.

Table of Content

1. Introduction : Chardham Yatra in Hindu Religion
   1. Yamunotri Temple
   2. Gangotri Temple
   3. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
   4. Badrinath Temple
2. Hemkund Sahib Trek
3. Helicopter Services for Kedarnath Dham
4. Tourist Care – Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand

Introduction : Chardham Yatra in Hindu Religion

For Hindus it is a deeply spiritual journey, according to religious beliefs, it washes away sins and potentially leads to moksha (salvation). Below we have described the four temples of the Chota Char Dham and the deities associated with them. –

1. Yamunotri Temple – Goddess Yamuna
2. Gangotri Temple – Goddess Ganga
3. Kedarnath Temple – Lord Shiva
4. Badrinath Temple – Lord Vishnu

Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri is one of the four pilgrimage sites in the Char Dham Yatra of the Himalayas. Devotees dedicate the Yamunotri Temple to Goddess Yamuna. People consider it the source of the Yamuna River, the second holiest river in Hinduism after the Ganges. A black marble idol of Goddess Yamuna is present in the temple.

This temple is relatively new, built in 1839 by Raja Sudarshan Shah of Tehri. The original temple was destroyed twice by natural disasters before being rebuilt at its present location. Another interesting feature near the temple is the Janaki Chatti Thermal Springs, located about 7 kilometers away.

• It is located in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3,293 meters (10,804 ft).
• Pilgrims often cook rice and potatoes using the hot water of these springs for offerings.

Gangotri Temple

A small temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga is Gangotri Temple. It is a part of the Chhota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, which includes Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. People consider it one of the most sacred places in Hinduism, as it is the source of the River Ganges, which they revere as the most holy river in India.

According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga descended from heaven when Lord Shiva freed this mighty river from her locks. The source of the Ganga River is the Bhagirathi River, which originates from the Gangotri Glacier, 19 kilometers away from Gangotri. Gangotri is a city and a Nagar panchayat (municipality) located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state, India. The Gangotri Temple is the center of the town.

The interesting feature here is Gaumukh, the origin of the Bhagirathi River and the source of the Ganga. Here the river Ganga originates as a stream from the Gangotri Glacier. People consider its water especially sacred. Pilgrims collect holy water from the Gaumukh, called Gaumukh Jal (जल, meaning “water”), and take it home as Prasad (a blessed offering).

• It is situated on the Greater Himalayan Range at an altitude of 3,100 meters (10,200 ft).
• The temple is open for darshan (sacred darshan) for six months every year, usually from May to November, as the region receives heavy snowfall during winter. It is accessible to physically healthy pilgrims.

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga

Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred Shiva temples in Hinduism. Here people worship Lord Shiva in the form of Linga. Shivlinga is a symbol of formless Shiva. Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have built the present temple in the eighth century. According to another legend, the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva here after the Kurukshetra war.

The Kedarnath temple is a beautiful example of ancient Indian architecture. The temple is built of large, gray stone slabs and has a conical roof. The temple’s inner sanctum houses the Jyotirlinga, a naturally formed rock that is worshiped in the form of Shiva.

• It is located at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 ft) near the Mandakini River in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India.
• Due to extreme weather conditions, the Kedarnath temple is open to the general public only between April (Akshaya Tritiya) and November (Kartik Purnima, Sharad Purnima). During winter, the temple is closed and the vigraha (deity) is taken to Ukhimath to be worshiped for the next six months.

Badrinath Temple

Vaishnava devotees worship Lord Mahavishnu as Badrinath at the Badrinath temple, which is also known as Badri Narayana Temple. According to religious belief, this temple holds significance as one of the 108 Divya Desam temples. Another important idol located within the temple is that of ‘Badri Devi’, who is an incarnation of Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu.

The temple complex consists of three structures: the Garbhagriha (sanctum), the Darshan Mandapam (worship hall), and the Sabha Mandapam (convention hall).

Situated in the hills of Garhwal, on the banks of the Alaknanda River, the city lies between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges and in the shadow of the Neelkanth peak.

Other interesting places like Mana, Vyas Cave, Matamurti, Charan-Paduka, Bhimkund, and the mouth of Saraswati River are within 3 km of Badrinath temple. Joshimath is situated on the slopes above the confluence of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers.

• It is situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand at an altitude of more than 3,100 meters.
• Typically, the temple reopens for pilgrims between late April and early November.

Hemkund Sahib Trek

Hemkund Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Ji, is an iconic Sikh pilgrimage site located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Sikhism, dedicated to the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. This has also been mentioned in Dasham-Granth. It is also recorded in the Holy Granth Sahib that Guru Gobind Singh meditated on the serene banks of Hemkund Lake in his previous birth.

Reaching Hemkund Sahib is an arduous journey in itself, especially during the monsoon season. To reach this temple, you will have to walk from Govindghat located on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas around Hemkund Sahib offers an unforgettable experience to pilgrims and visitors. There are limited accommodation options available here, mostly in the form of gurudwaras and lodges.

Helicopter Services for Kedarnath Dham

Helicopter services are available for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra, especially during the peak pilgrimage season. These services primarily operate from helipads located at places like Guptkashi, Phata, and Sersi. These locations are situated before the main trek to Kedarnath begins from Gaurikund/Sonprayag.

Shuttle Services: Typically, the helicopter service from these locations to Kedarnath is a shuttle service. This means they drop you off near the Kedarnath temple and then return to pick up other passengers. You usually get a limited time (around 1-2 hours) for darshan before you need to board the return flight.

One-way and Round-trip Options: Both one-way (either to or from Kedarnath) and round-trip tickets are usually available.

Booking Helicopter Tickets:

1. Chardham Yatra registration with the Uttarakhand government is mandatory before booking helicopter services.
2. Only the IRCTC Heli Yatra website (heliyatra.irctc.co.in) provides online helicopter ticket booking for Shri Kedarnath Dham & Shri Hemkund Sahib. The official link for Helicopter Yatra to Kedarnath Dham and Hemkund Sahib – IRCTC Official Website Link
3. Due to high demand, especially during peak season, it is highly advisable to book your helicopter tickets well in advance.
4. Helicopter ticket bookings for Kedarnath Dham,  are open for journeys from May 2nd to May 31st, 2025.

Tourist Care – Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand

Contact Details –

1. Toll Free: 1364 | 0135 3520100
2. Helpline: 0135 – 2559898, 0135 – 2552627, 0135 – 3520100
3. Email Id – touristcare.uttarakhand@gmail.com

Online Bookings –

1. Register for Chardham Yatra and Hemkund Sahib – Click to Register.
2. Helicopter Ticket Bookings – Click to Book Ticket.

Important Links –

1. Android Application – “Tourist Care Uttarakhand” Mobile App.
2. Current Weather Forecast For Dhams – See Here.
3. Health Advisory – Download PDF.

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