How to reach Kedarnath

Once can reach this sacred abode by roadways buses that are easily accessible from Uttarkashi, Chamba, New Tehri, Tilwara, Agastyamuni, Chandrapuri, Guptkashi, Sonprayag and Gourikund. However, Rudraprayag can only be visited while returning from Badrinath Dham as this cannot be reached whilst you are on the way to Kedarnath Dham. You can also travel via Srinagar to the divine destination and other road goes to Sri Badrinath Dham. The nearest Railway station is at Rishikesh, 225 Kms. And the closest Airport to the Dham is- Jolly Grant, Dehradun which is 240 Kilometers.

(Chardham opening Dates 2021 )

How to reach Badrinath

By Airways: The Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to Badrinath Dham. It is situated very close to Dehradun city which is about 317 kilometres from Badrinath temple. One can also reach this one of the Charm Dham spots by helicopter, and the helicopter journey is hardly 100 kilometre.

By Train: The nearest railway stations to Badrinath are at Rishikesh (297 km), Haridwar (324 km) and Kotadwar (327 km). However, Haridwar is the best option to board a train if you are visiting Badrinath Dham as it is linked by umpteen trains from other parts of India.

By Bus: You can comfortably reach Badrinath by bus, taxi or private cars as it is accessible by road as well. Badrinath is positioned at a distance of 525 Kilometres from the capital of India- Delhi & 296 Km from Rishikesh city. Regular and private buses are also a good option to reach Badrinath from Delhi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh.

How to reach Gangotri :

You can reach Gangotri from the place- Uttarkashi from the roadway buses through hills and mountains in 5 hours. While travelling towards Gangotri shrine, River Bhagirathi can be seen on your right side. After 8 PM driving is not allowed in the hill roads.

Yamunotri Dham (Pc -UKspecial)

How To reach Yamunotri :

If you are planning to travel to this highly idolized Hindu pilgrimage then you can reach there by air (flight), railway or roadways (buses, cars, autos and cabs).

By Airways: The nearest airport is- Jolly Grant at Dehradun which is situated at a distance of 210 km from the town of Yamunotri. You can get regular flights to the Jolly Grant Airport from the capital of India- Delhi. Once you get down, hire a cab or taxi to reach Yamunotri or Namgawn.

By Railways (Trains): If you are travelling by train to the holy place- Yamunotri, reach Dehradun railway station first. The Dehradun railway station is approx 172 km from Yamunotri. After arriving at Dehradun Railway station, you can easily get cabs for Yamunotri.

By Road (By Bus): Yamunotri is nicely linked via road to all the chief tourist places in Uttarakhand. You will get regular buses to Hanuman Chatti which is approx 4 km Rishikesh is also connected to it and is at a distance of 213 km and Dehradun at 172 km from Yamunotri. Nawgaon is a major link at a distance of 171 KM from Haridwar.

(Char Dham(Chota Chardham) Yatra Travel complete Guide)

Char Dham Yatra 2020

Chardham of Uttarakhand has four sanctify shrines- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath and darshan of all these divine shrines can be done by helicopter. There are various kinds of package offered by the helicopter service providers based on a number of nights & the shrines assimilated in the package. The details are given below. There are more than 8 operators who provide helicopter services for Yatra.

1. Chardham Yatra (All four shrines) by helicopter, 04 nights/05 days

Chardham Yatra by helicopter package includes a night stay in all shrines i.e. Kharsali (Yamunotri), Harsil(Gangotri), Guptkashi (Kedarnath) & Badrinath. The package starts from 1,65,000/- PP. 01 nights/02 days Chardham Yatra by helicopter package is curated so to provide darshan of all 04 shrines in a limited time frame. On the 01st day, the darshan of Yamunotri, and Gangotri are done with a night stay at Harsil & next day, devotees cover both revered temples of Kedarnath & Badrinath. The package starts from 1,50,000/- PP.

2. Do-Dham Yatra by helicopter- same-day return Kedarnath Ji & Badrinath Ji same-day return starts from INR 4,00,000, the cost is for the entire Charter of sharing 4–6 people. The same cost is for Yamunotri Ji & Gangotri Ji same-day return.

3. Ek Dham Yatra By helicopter same-day return If devotee plan to visit either of the shrines i.e. Yamunotri or Gangotri or Badrinath or Kedarnath by helicopter then entire charter can be hired @INR 3,50,000 onwards

Guidelines for helicopter yatra:

• Maximum 04 -06 Passengers will be allowed in 01 Helicopter depending upon the passenger’s weight which should be less than 400 kgs.
• Only 5 kg of luggage per passenger will be permitted due to limited space in the helicopter. Passengers bringing excess baggage would not be allowed to take the same in the chopper. Passengers should carry only handbags as suitcases cannot be kept in the helicopter.
• Children above the age of 2 years will be considered a full ticket.
• There is no provision of concession to children or senior citizens for helicopter yatra.

Key Feature of Chardham Yatra/Do Dham/1Dham Yatra package by helicopter:

• A luxurious/finest stay wherever provided.
• All meals.
• VIP Darshan in all Dhams — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath
• Palki (Sedan Chair) at Yamunotri.
• All land transfers are also included.

Originally Published on Bizarexpedition with the title: Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter 2020

Kedarnath Temple

Chardham is the holy place where every Hindu wants to go after fulfilling all his social life. Every parent dreams that their children take them to the pilgrimage where they can wash all their sins and reach the gate of salvation

Chardham of Uttarakhand includes the four sanctified shrines which are nestled in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The four shrines are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath. Chardham yatra always starts from Yamunotri, and then Gangotri, next is Kedarnath and yatra ends at Badrinath. Chardham yatra has great significance for Hindu devotees, as per Hindu Mythology, it is believed that every Hindu should visit these shrines in order to get devoid of their sins & to attain salvation. Every year thousands of pilgrims come here to pay their obeisance.

Generally, the Chardham remains open for 06 months from April/May - October/Nov, every year the opening & closing dates are announced. The best time to visit the Chardham is from May – June, and Oct – Nov. Heavy rainfall during monsoon causes frequent landslides & road blockages so better to avoid planning at that time. All four Shrines remain inaccessible during winters due to heavy snowfall thus during that period the idols of Chardham deities are brought down to nearby accessible town i.e. Ukhimath for Kedarnath, Joshimath for Badrinath, Mukhba for Gangotri and Kharsali for Yamunotri. Daily rituals for deities are performed at these respective places. These revered places are famous by the name Winter Chardham among devotees.

Chardham Yatra customarily starts from Haridwar or from Delhi. The nearest airport to Haridwar is the Jolly grand airport which has good connectivity of flight from Delhi. The train is also a good option to reach Haridwar. Private cars can be hired from Haridwar or Delhi for Chardham Yatra. Else, helicopter services are also available for all the Dhams and which also gives the advantage to do yatra in the shortest time phase of 2 days. Helicopter packages for Chardham are also readily available.

For more information, you can check this blog - Chardham Yatra Blog

What Is Chardham and what is its significance?

Kedarnath Temple (Uttarakhand)

Chardham of Uttarakhand includes the four sanctified shrines which are nestled in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The four shrines are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath. Chardham Yatra always starts from Yamunotri, and then Gangotri, next is Kedarnath and yatra ends at Badrinath. Chardham yatra has great significance for Hindu devotees, as per Hindu Mythology, it is believed that every Hindu should visit these shrines in order to get devoid of their sins & to attain salvation. Every year thousands of pilgrims come here to pay their obeisance.

What is the Best time to visit the Chardham:

Generally, the Chardham remains open for 06 months from April/May - October/Nov, every year the opening & closing dates are announced. The best time to visit the Chardham is from May – June, and Oct – Nov. Heavy rainfall during monsoon causes frequent landslides & road blockages so better to avoid planning at that time. All four Shrines remain inaccessible during winters due to heavy snowfall thus during that period the idols of Chardham deities are brought down to nearby accessible town i.e. Ukhimath for Kedarnath, Joshimath for Badrinath, Mukhba for Gangotri and Kharsali for Yamunotri. Daily rituals for deities are performed at these respective places. These revered places are famous by the name Winter Chardham among devotees.

How should I go to Chardham Yatra

Chardham Yatra customarily starts from Haridwar or from Delhi. The nearest airport to Haridwar is the Jolly grand airport which has good connectivity of flight from Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Cochin. A train is also a good option to reach Haridwar. A private car can be hired from Haridwar or Delhi for Chardham Yatra. Else, helicopter services are also available for all the Dhams and which also gives the advantage to do yatra in the shortest time phase of 2 days. Helicopter packages for Chardham are also readily available.

What are the places we can visit during Chardham?

Apart from all four Dhams, you will cover Panch Prayag (Devprayag. Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag, and Vishnuprayag). If you can add 0-2 more days then you can do Auli and Chopta also.

Auli(Uttarakhand)

Chardham Yatra Packages 2020

What are some tips to enjoy Chardham Yatra?

• Plan and confirm all the arrangements beforehand, is the key for hassle-free Chardham Yatra. At least, confirm all the services like hotels, transport, and helicopter ticket for Kedarnath, 30-45 days prior to travel dates. Since later the availability of the services becomes a big concern for devotees.
• Plan your Yatra during these months- May, June, Oct, Nov; it is the best time to travel on this route. 
• At Chardham yatra route, almost all the hotels are basic but they have maintained the proper hygiene and all basic amenities are readily available. So, do not compare these hotels with any star category, it will let you with complete disappointment.
• Do include 02 exotic locations Chopta and Auli in your Chardham Yatra tour, both are en route destination can be easily covered.

More information or blogs on Chardham yatra, visit our website blog section