- www.viewstartravels@gmail.com
- +91 9718892109 / +91 1146546390
Call Anytime
+91 9718892109
Zero Processing FeeCHAR DHAM YATRA
About HARIDWAR, KEDARNATH, BADRINATH, I, GANGOTRI & YAMUNOTR
ABOUT HARIDWAR
Haridwar is an ancient city and important Hindu pilgrimage site in North India's Uttarakhand state, where the River Ganges exits the Himalayan foothills. The largest of several sacred ghats (bathing steps), Har Ki Pauri hosts a nightly Ganga Aarti (river-worshipping ceremony) in which tiny flickering lamps are floated off the steps. Worshipers fill the city during major festivals including the annual Kanwar Mela.
ABOUT BADRINATH
Badrinath is the last on the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, the abode of Lord Vishnu. The temple is located in Badrinath in Uttarakhand and it is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vishnu. Located at a height of 3133 metres on the banks of the Alaknanda River in the Garhwal Hills in Chamoli district, the temple is accessible for six months in a year from April to November. Vishnu resides here in the form of a black stone statue and it is believed to be a self manifested form of the Lord.History
There are no written records of the Badrinath Temple. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya visited this place during this travels all over India. He stayed here from 814 to 820 AD and found the idol of Lord Vishnu in the Alaknanda River. He then installed the idol in a cave close to Tapt Kund. One version states that the present Badrinath temple was a Buddhist temple and Shankaracharya had the Buddhist monks expelled with the help of Kanak Pal, a Parmar king of the region. The idol was then installed in the present Badrinath temple. Another version states that the King of Garhwal moved the idol to the present temple premises in the 16th century. The original temple was damaged in the Earthquake in 1803 and the temple was rebuilt by the King of Jaipur during the 1870s.
The present Badrinath temple has a traditional Garbha Griha that houses the idol of Lord Badrinath. Leading to this part is the Darshan Mandap where rituals are usually performed. This is preceded by the Sabha Mandap where devotees rest or sit while waiting their turn for the Darshan of the Lord.
ABOUT KEDARNATH
The fifth Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva is in Uttarakhand. Its name is Kedarnath. This temple is also included in the Chardhams of Uttarakhand. The history of this abode of Lord Shiva is related to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Nar-Narayan, Pandavas and Adiguru Shankaracharya. This temple is in the Himalayan region, due to this it remains closed for about 6 months during winter season and is opened for devotees during summer season. Know the special things related to the fifth Jyotirlinga...
Pleased with the penance of Nar-Narayan, Lord Shiva appeared.
There are many popular beliefs related to Kedarnath Dham. It is written in the Kotirudra Samhita of Shivpuran that in ancient times, Nar-Narayan, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, used to worship Lord Shiva daily by making a mortal Shivalinga in Badrivan.
Kedarnath temple is in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is also included in the Chardhams of Uttarakhand. There are many popular beliefs related to Kedarnath Dham. It is written in the Kotirudra Samhita of Shivpuran that in ancient times, in Badrivan, Nar-Narayan, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, used to make a mortal Shivalinga and worship it daily. Pleased with the devotion of Nar-Narayan, Lord Shiva appeared here.
Lord Shiva asked Nar-Narayan to ask for a boon. Then Nar-Narayan asked for a boon that Lord Shiva should always stay here, so that other devotees can also have darshan of Lord Shiva easily. Hearing this, Lord Shiva said that from now on he will stay here and this area will be famous by the name of Kedar area.
The belief of Kedarnath is related to Pandavas.
At the time of Mahabharata i.e. in Dwapar Yuga, Lord Shiva had appeared to the Pandavas in the form of a vine in the Kedar area. The present temple was built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya in the 8th-9th century. This temple is one of the four Dhams of Uttarakhand. The temple is at an altitude of about 3,583 meters above sea level. This temple is in the Himalayan region, hence remains closed during winter season.
Guru Shankaracharya had renovated the temple
It is believed that this self-proclaimed Shivalinga is established in Kedarnath Dham. Swayambhu Shivalinga means the one who has manifested himself. Kedarnath temple was built by Pandava king Janamejaya. Later Adi Guru Shankaracharya got this temple renovated.
Other special things related to the temple
Kedarnath temple is built on a high platform. There is a circumambulation path around the main part of the temple, the pavilion and the sanctum sanctorum.
Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, is present in the premises outside the temple. Here Lord Shiva is worshiped according to the ancient method.
Shivalinga is bathed early in the morning. Ghee is applied. After this, Aarti of God is performed with worship materials like incense sticks, lamps etc. Special adornment of the Lord is done in the evening.
This is how you can reach Kedarnath
Kedarnath is in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. To reach Kedarnath, you can first reach Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun. From these cities one can reach the temple with the help of bus or taxi. Many modes of transport are easily available from across the country to reach Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun.
In Kedarnath Yatra, after reaching Gaurikund, one has to cover a distance of about 16 kilometers on foot, by palanquin or with the help of horse.
ABOUT GANGOTRI
History and legends of Gangotri Dham
Gangotri Dham is the most sacred pilgrimage site in the interior of the Himalayas where Ganga, the stream of life, touches the earth for the first time. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga took the form of a river to wash away the sins of King Bhagiratha's ancestors, after his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received Mother Ganga in his matted hair to reduce the immense impact of Mother Ganga's fall. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her mythological source.
Legend: King Sagar, after slaying the demons on earth, decided to stage an Ashwamedha Yagya as a declaration of his supremacy. The horse that was to be taken on an uninterrupted journey around the earth was to be represented by the 60,000 sons of Queen Sumati and Asamanja, the son of another queen, Kesani. Indra, the supreme ruler of the gods, feared that if the 'Yagya' was successful then he might be deprived of his throne. He then picked up the horse and tied it to the ashram of Kapil Muni, who was in deep meditation at that time. King Sagar's sons searched for the horse and finally found it tied near the meditating Kapil Muni. Sixty thousand angry sons of King Sagar attacked the ashram of sage Kapil. When Kapil Muni opened his eyes, 60,000 sons of King Sagar died due to his curse. Bhagiratha, the grandson of King Sagar, is believed to have meditated on the ashes of his ancestors to please Goddess Ganga and liberate their souls, granting them salvation.
Another legend: Ganga, a beautiful vivacious maiden, is said to have originated from the kamandalah (water vessel) of Lord Brahma. There are two versions about the birth of Ganga. According to one, Lord Brahma washed the feet of Lord Vishnu, and collected this water in his Kamandalu because his Vamana form had liberated the universe from the demon Bali in rebirth.
Another legend has it that Ganga came to earth in a human form and married King Shantanu. With whom he had sons, all of whom he inexplicably threw into the river. The eighth son – Bhishma – survived, due to the intervention of King Shantanu. However, Ganga then leaves him. Bhishma plays an important role in the grand epic Mahabharata.
History of Gangotri Dham
On the right side of river Bhagirathi is the temple of Gangotri dedicated to the goddess. Situated at an altitude of 3042 metres, the Gangotri Temple was built in the early 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa, a Gorkha commander.
Yamunotri is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Yamuna and is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. According to Hindu mythology, Yamunotri is considered to be the source of the river Yamuna and is one of the four sacred shrines in India's Char Dham pilgrimage .
About Yamunotri
According to legend, Yamunotri was the home of the sage Asit Muni, who lived on the banks of the Yamuna and was known for his devotion to the goddess. The current temple was built by Hindu king Narendra Shah in the 19th century, but the site has been mentioned in ancient Hindu texts as well.
In Hindu mythology, Yamuna is considered the daughter of the sun god Surya and sister of Yama, the god of death. She is revered as a symbol of purity and is believed to cleanse the souls of those who bathe in her waters. The temple is surrounded by natural hot springs, and it is customary for pilgrims to take a dip in these waters before visiting the shrine.
The temple and its surroundings hold great religious and spiritual significance for Hindus and attract a large number of pilgrims every year, especially during the annual Char Dham Yatra, which takes place between April and November.
Yamunotri Temple Significance
Yamunotri temple is considered one of the four sacred shrines in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage and holds great religious and spiritual significance for Hindus. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Yamuna, who is revered as a symbol of purity and is believed to cleanse the souls of those who bathe in her waters.
Pilgrims visit Yamunotri temple to offer prayers and seek blessings from the goddess. The temple is surrounded by natural hot springs, and it is customary for pilgrims to take a dip in these waters before visiting the shrine, as it is believed to cleanse the body and mind and bring good health.
Yamunotri temple is also an important site for pilgrimage for those who follow the Vaishnavite tradition, as Yamuna is considered to be an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Radha, who was the consort of Lord Krishna.
In addition to its religious significance, the temple and its surroundings are also known for their scenic beauty and offer a unique blend of nature, spirituality, and culture. The temple and the surrounding area attract a large number of tourists and pilgrims every year, making Yamunotri a popular destination for both spiritual and cultural tourism.
The fifth Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva is in Uttarakhand. Its name is Kedarnath. This temple is also included in the Chardhams of Uttarakhand. The history of this abode of Lord Shiva is related to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Nar-Narayan, Pandavas and Adiguru Shankaracharya. This temple is in the Himalayan region, due to this it remains closed for about 6 months during winter season and is opened for devotees during summer season. Know the special things related to the fifth Jyotirlinga...
Day 1 - Delhi - Haridwar (Approx 250 Kms / 06 Hrs)
Upon arrival we will pick up you and drive to Haridwar, 06 hours journey by the road. Reach and check in at hotel, Evening visit Har-ki Pauri for Aarti ceremony of mother Ganges. Later return to hotel. A
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 2 - Haridwar - Barkot (Approx 180 Kms / 6-7 Hrs)
This day after breakfast, check out from hotel and Barkot, 06-07 hours’ drive, check in at camp. An overnight stay. Barkot is an ideal destination to stay for pilgrims of Shri Yamunotri, It is situated 45 Kms before Yamunotri temple, from where paranomic views of the Bandar punch Peaks can be seen.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 3 - Barkot - Yamunotri - Barkot - (Approx 36 Kms drive & 6 Kms Trek one side)
Early morning after breakfast, drive to Janki chatti, start trek to Yamunotri 6 kms. You have an option to either walk or hire Pony or by Doli at your own cost.
After taking bath in Surya Kund (hot spring) visit Yamunotri temple ""Darshan"" and Pooja of pious ""Yamunaji"" at Divya Shila, Return to can an overnight stay.
Yamunotri Temple - Situated at 3290 meters above ocean level. The Yamunotri Dham is the first hallowed destination of the Chardham Yatra. This Dham is committed to Goddess Yamuna, who regarded be as a daughter of the Sun God, Surya Dev.According to the mythological stories and convictions, the Yamunotri Dham was an isolation of a sage Asti Muni. For the duration of his life, the Asti Muni every day showered in both Ganges and Yamuna. Be that as it may, in his old age he didn't have the enough energy to reach Gangotri, yet his great deeds paid off and a flood of Ganges showed up inverse to Yamunotri for him. This fanciful story adds to the otherworldly worth of the Dham.
Divya Shila : A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 4 - Barkot - Uttarkashi (Approx 155 Kms / 6-7 Hrs)
This morning after breakfast, check out from hotel and drive to Uttarkashi. On arrive check-in at the hotel. Later visit Vishwanath Temple, An overnight stay.
Day 5 - Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi (Approx 100 Kms / 03 Hrs one side)
This day after breakfast, we proceed to Gangotri Enroute enjoy picturesque Harsil valley, Bhagirathi River and the most magnificent view of the Himalayas. Reach at temple Darshan and perform pooja. Thereafter we drive back to hotel. Night stay.
Gangotri - As per The Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga - the daughter of Lord Brahma, showed herself as a waterway to acquit the transgressions of King Bhagirathi’s forerunners, taking after his extreme retribution of a few centuries, and Lord Shiva got her into his tangled locks to minimize the gigantic effect of her fall. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her incredible source. Along the right back of Bhagirathi stands the sanctum of Gangotri devoted to the Goddess. Roosted at a stature of 3042 meters (10,000 ft), it was developed in the mid 18th century by a Gorkha Commander, Amar Singh Thapa.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 6 - Uttarkashi - Guptkashi (Approx 220 Kms / 09 Hrs)
This day after breakfast, check out from hotel and drive to Guptkashi reach and check in.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 7 - By Helicopter Kedarnath (Own)
This day Early morning at 6:30 report to helipad. After performing pooja and Darshan, fly down. Reach and later you will be transfer to hotel. Night stay
NOTE : You can also visit Kedarnath Ji by trek (20 kms /08-09 Hrs per side)
Early morning you will drive till sonprayag (vehicles allow till this point) from here you need to take local jeep/ Max to reach Gaurikund (3 km, on direct payment basis, approx INR 100 per person). Gaurikund – The trek start from this point to Kedarnath, which is long and beautiful man made trail. After reaching, performing pooja and Darshan. Later check in at hotel. Night stay at Kedarnath Kedarnath Temple The 1000 years old temple with a carved exterior is located in a courtyard protected by Nandi bull. This spot has great significance in the legendary Mahabharata epic. Inside the main sanctum is one of the 12 naturally formed 'Jyotirlingas' of India. The temple has carved shapes of the Pandavas, and Lord Shiva.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 8 - Kedarnath - Gaurikund / Sitapur
At early morning trek down to the Gaurikund reach and take Local Jeep to the Sonprayag and we will pick- up you and Transfer you to the Hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 9 - Guptkashi - Chopta - Badrinath (Approx 250 Kms / 8-9 Hrs)
This day after breakfast, check out from hotel and drive to Badrinath via visiting Chopta, it is known mini Switzerland and Medical forest. On arrive check-in at hotel.
Evening : Visit at Badrinath temple. If time permits. Badrinath temple - It's so great to take in the way that this sacrosanct destination which is being dedicated to Lord Vishnu has been committed to humankind. The area where Lord Vishnu pondered under a Badri tree for thousand unremitting years and taught us a definitive method for welfare of humankind is exceptional on the planet. Today, this temple is considered as one of the holiest Hindu temples and is additionally one of the 108 Divya Desams, sacred holy places for Vaishnavites.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 10 - Badrinath - Rudraprayag (Approx 160 Kms / 06 Hrs)
Today after bath in the Taptkund visit & Darshan of Badrivishal. Brahamakamal is significant for Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sightseeing spot like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Bhimkund and the ""Mukh"" of the Saraswati River. Just within the three kms of Badrinathjee. Later drive to Rudraprayag. On arrive check –in at hotel and night stay.
Tapt-Kund - Just beneath the Shree Badrinath Ji temple lies the Tapt Kund hot sulfur spring that has a high therapeutic worth. It is a freshwater pool with the washing region of 16.1/2 feet by 14.1/4 feet. Despite the fact that the typical temperature of the spring is 55°c, the temperature of water continues expanding continuously amid the day. A dunk in Tapt Kund is viewed as a decent restorative cure for skin illnesses. Narad Kund - Narad Kund is arranged close Tapt Kund. It is accepted that the Badrinath icon was acquired from this Kund, Narad Kund boiling hot water spring is situated under the Garur Shila and holds a therapeutic worth. Fans take a plunge in this Kund before entering the Badrinath sanctuary for Darshan of Lord Badrinath.
Vyas & Ganesh-Gufa - Vyas & Ganesh-Gufa cavern is situated in the Mana Village alongside numerous different caverns. It is accepted that in this cavern Ved Vyas directed his acclaimed epic of Mahabharata to Ganesh and accordingly it has been named Vyas Gufa. There is an icon of Ved Vyas indicated composition the granth (epic book) inside this hole.
Beginning Source of Saraswati River - Manibhadrapur which is known as Mana village, the beginning source of river Saraswati. Bhimpul (bridge) according to myth it is build by Bhima during period of the Mahabharata.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 11 - Rudraprayag - Haridwar (Approx 165 Kms / 06 hrs)
This day after breakfast, drive to Haridwar via Rishikesh local sightseeing like Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Triveni ghat temples and Ashrams. Check in at hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 12 - Haridwar - Delhi (Approx 250 Kms / 06 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel, check out and drive to Delhi.
Inclusions
01 Night accommodation in Haridwar
