Char Dham Yatra
4 Sacred Himalayan Shrines
The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages, covering four divine temples nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The traditional route follows Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath, moving from west to east. This yatra is believed to wash away all sins and pave the path to moksha (salvation). Every devout Hindu aspires to complete this journey at least once in their lifetime.
Best Season
May to June, September to October
Duration
10-12 days
Budget
₹15,000 - ₹50,000 per person
Places
4 Dhams
Why Char Dham is Sacred
Believed to wash away all sins and grant moksha (salvation)
Covers the sacred origins of River Ganga and Yamuna
Includes one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (Kedarnath)
Includes one of the 108 Divya Desams (Badrinath)
Revived by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century
The Four Sacred Dhams
Badrinath
Nestled between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges at 3,133m elevation, Badrinath is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple stands on the banks of the Alaknanda River surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
Kedarnath
Located at 3,583m near the head of the Mandakini River, Kedarnath is one of the most revered Shiva temples. The massive stone temple stands against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range, surviving devastating floods in 2013.
Gangotri
At 3,100m altitude, Gangotri is where King Bhagirath is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva to release the River Ganga from his matted locks. The 18th-century temple built by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa sits on the banks of the Bhagirathi River.
Yamunotri
Yamunotri is the westernmost shrine in the Char Dham and sits at 3,291m. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and features the sacred Divya Shila rock and Surya Kund hot spring where pilgrims cook rice and potatoes as prasad.