Divine Chardham

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is a home to numerous temples. Char Dham Yatra considered the most sacred places amongst them.This Yatra or pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath – nestled high up in the Himalayas. The high-altitude shrines remain shut for around six months every year, opening in summers (April or May) and closing with the onset of winter (October or November). It is believed that one should complete the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction. Hence, the pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath.

Itinerary
Day 1 : DEHRADOON – HARDWAR

Arrive at Dehradoon Railway Station / Airport. Meet & greet by Aradhana’s representative. Tour Starts. Depart for Haridwar also spelled Hardwar, is an ancient city of Uttarakhand, India. According to legend, it was here that Goddess Ganga descended when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. The River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometers (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Gangetic Plain for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára.

Haridwar or Hardwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places (Sapta Puri) to Hindus. According to the Samudra manthan, Haridwar along with Ujjain, Nashik and Prayagraj (Allahabad) is one of four sites where drops of Amrit, the elixir of immortality, accidentally spilled over from the pitcher while being carried by the celestial bird Garuda. This is manifested in the Kumbha Mela, which is celebrated every 12 years in Haridwar. The name of the town has two spellings: Hardwar and Haridwar. Each of these names has its own connotation. Hari means "Lord Vishnu". So, Haridwar stands for " The Gateway to Lord Vishnu". In order to reach Badrinath, one of the four Char Dhams, with a temple of Lord Vishnu, Haridwar is a typical place to start a pilgrim's journey. Therefore, the name Haridwar.

On the other hand, in Sanskrit, Hara means "Lord Shiva" and Dwara means "gate" or "gateway". Hence, Hardwar stands for "Gateway to Lord Shiva". Hardwar has been a typical place to start a pilgrim's journey in order to reach Mount Kailash, the eternal abode of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath, the northernmost Jyotirlinga and one of the sites of the smaller Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and Gaumukh, the source of River Ganga. Har ki Pauri or footsteps of Lord Shiva is considered the most sacred site in Hardwar. Evening at leisure. Dinner & overnight stay in Hardwar!

Day 2 : DAY TRIP TO RISHIKESH

Day trip to Rishikesh, also known as Hrishikesh, is Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as the "Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas" and "Yoga Capital of the World".

The Lakshman Temple, Lakshman Jhula is a famous hanging bridge across the river Ganga that connects two villages, Tapovan in the Tehri Garhwal district and Jonk in the Pauri Garhwal district. The Lakshman Jhula is extremely well known amongst tourists because of the rich mythological associations that are connected with the bridge. It is widely believed that Lord Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama, had crossed the river Ganga at this same site, where the bridge now majestically stands for all to see. Saccha Akhileshwar Mahadeo, Geeta Bhawan, Baba Kalikamaliwale Ashram, Ram Zoola. Evening - The Ganga Aarti in Hardwar is performed at the Har-ki-Pauri Ghat, which was built in the 1st century by King Vikram. Aarti can be done to a deity in the temple, or on the banks of the Ganga, or it can be performed to a saint. The aarti is organised twice a day, every morning at sunrise and every evening at sunset & time for shopping. Dinner & overnight stay in Hardwar!

Day 3 : HARIDWAR - MASOORIE
Mussoorie is popularly known as The Queen of the Hills. After lunch time at leisure. Dinner & overnight stay in Mussoorie!
Day 4 : MUSSOORIE – BARKOT / SYNACHATT
Depart for Barkot / Synachatti. Dinner & overnight stay in Barkot / Synachatti!
Day 5 : DAY TRIP TO MA YAMUNOTRI DHAM

Situated at an altitude of 3,293 metres (10,804 ft) Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the Goddess Yamuna. The actual source Yamuna River, a frozen lake of ice and glacier (Champasar Glacier) located on the Kalind Mountain at a height of 4,421 m above sea level, about 1 km further up, is not frequented generally as it is not accessible; hence the shrine has been located on the foot of the hill. The approach is extremely difficult and pilgrims therefore offer puja at the temple itself.

The temple of Yamuna, on the left bank of the Yamuna, was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The Yamuna, has been elevated to the status of a divine mother for the Hindus and has been held responsible for nurturing and developing the Indian civilization.

Close to the temple are hot water springs gushing out from the mountain cavities. Surya Kund is the most important kund. Near the Surya Kund there is a shila called Divya Shila, which is worshipped before puja is offered to the deity. Devotees prepare rice and potatoes, tied in muslin cloth, to offer at the shrine by dipping them in these hot water springs. Rice so cooked is taken back home as prasadam. Dinner & overnight stay in Barkot / Synachatti!

Day 6 : BARKOT – UTTARKASHI
Depart for Uttarkashi, meaning Kashi of the north. situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi at an altitude of 1158 m above sea level. Uttarkashi is generally known as a holy town close to Rishikesh. Uttarkashi is home to a number of ashrams and temples and also to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. The name of the town reflects its similarity to and location (as north of) the city of Kashi (Varanasi). Similar to Varanasi, town of Uttarkashi is situated on the Ganges, lies next to a hill named Varunavat, on confluence of two rivers Varuna and Asi, has a ghat called Manikarnika Ghat and has a temple dedicated to Shiva similar to (Kashi Vishwanath Temple) in Varanasi, in the center of the town. Dinner & overnight stay in Uttarkashi.
Day 7 : DAY TRIP TI MA GANGOTRI DHAM
Gangotri is a Hindus pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi and origin of River Ganges. It is at a height of 3,100 metres (10,200 ft). According to popular Hindu legend, it was here that Goddess Ganga descended when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. After darshan and poojan return back to Uttarkashi. Enroute pass by Harsil Scenic Village. Visit Gangotri temple, Bhagirath rock and see Bhagirathi river. Dinner & overnight stay in Uttarkashi.
Day 8 : UTTARKASHI – GUPTAKASHI
Guptakashi, Gupta Kashi or Guptakashi is a fairly large town located at an elevation of 1,319 metres (4,327 ft). It is known for its ancient Vishwanath Temple dedicated to the god Shiva, which is similar to the one in Varanasi (Kashi). The name Guptakashi has legendary significance linked to the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Its religious importance is considered next to that of Varanasi, believed to be the most pious of all Hindu pilgrimage places. Dinner & overnight stay in Guptakashi!
Day 9 : GUPTAKASHI – KEDARNATH

Early morning depart for Kedarnath (Trek of 21 kms), a Hindu temple (shrine) dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located on the Mandakini river. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open to the general public only between the months of April (Akshaya Tritriya) and November (Kartik Purnima, the autumn full moon). During the winters, the vigraha (deity) from Kedarnath temple is carried down to Ukhimath and where the deity is worshiped for the next six months. Kedarnath is seen as a homogenous form of Lord Shiva, the 'Lord of Kedar Khand', the historical name of the region.

The temple is not directly accessible by road and has to be reached by a 22 kilometres (14 mi) uphill trek from Gaurikund. Pony and Dandi service is available to reach the structure. According to Hindu legends, the temple was initially built by Pandavas, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, expounded in Tevaram. Pandavas were supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath. This temple is the highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas. On arrival in the evening visit the famous Kedarnath temple and Shankaracharya Samadhi. Dinner & overnight stay in Kedarnath.

Day 10 : KEDARNATH – GUPTAKASHI
After darshan and poojan depart for Guptakashi. Dinner & overnight stay in Guptakashi.
Day 11 : GUPTAKASHI – JOSHIMATH
Depart for Joshimath. Enroute view the Sangams of holy rivers - Rudreprayag : Alaknanda and Mandakini, Nandprayag : Alaknanda and Nandakini, Karnaprayag : Alaknanda and Pinderganga. Dinner & overnight stay in Joshimath.
Day 12 : BADRINATH

After breakfast depart for Badrinath. Badri refers to a berry that was apparently said to grow abundantly in the area, and nath means "Lord" as per context in which it is referred. Enroute view the Sangam of holy rivers Vishnuprayag : Alaknanda and Dhauliganga.

According to legend Shankar discovered a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River. He originally enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. In the sixteenth century, the King of Garhwal moved the murti to the present temple. The temple is approximately 50 ft (15 m) tall with a small cupola on top, covered with a gold gilt roof. The facade is built of stone, with arched windows. A broad stairway leads up to a tall arched gateway, which is the main entrance. The architecture resembles a Buddhist vihara (temple), with the brightly painted facade also more typical of Buddhist temples. Just inside is the mandapa, a large pillared hall that leads to the garbha grha, or main shrine area. The walls and pillars of the mandapa are covered with intricate carving. After darshan and poojan return to hotel. After lunch visit Mana Village to see Saraswati river, Vyas Gumpha, Ganesh Gumpha, Bhim Bridge. Dinner & overnight stay in Badrinath.

Day 13 : BADRINATH – RUDRAPRAYAG / SRINAGAR
Depart for Rudraprayag / Srinagar. Dinner & overnight stay in Rudraprayag / Srinagar.
Day 14 : RUDRAPRAYAG – HARDWAR
Depart for Hardwar. Enroute view the sangam of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers and take the name Ganga at Deoprayag. Dinner & overnight stay in Hardwar.
Day 15 : HARDWAR – DEHRADOON DROP
Depart for Dehradoon Airport to connect flight to Mumbai / Pune. Tour Ends.
Include/Exclude
All accommodation will be on twin share basis in deluxe hotel.
All transfers & sightseeing by a/c Small Vehicles on 4 persons per vehicle basis. Please note that Ac will operate on plains only. On Hills Ac will not be operated.
Entry fees to the monuments with guide charges.
All meals : Breakfast / Lunch / Evening Tea Coffee / Dinner.
Return air / rail fare to Dehradoon.
All expenses of personal nature like : Laundry, Tips, Camera Tickets etc.
Pony / Dandi / Kandi charges at Yamunotri.
Return Helicopter ticket for Kedarnath.
GST 5 % on total tour cost.
Items not mentioned in 'tour cost includes'.
Tour Dates
22nd June 2024 To 06th July 2024
Location
Divine Chardham
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