chardham yatra
Char Dham Temples Overview
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism, comprising four revered temples—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
Nestled in the Himalayas, these temples hold immense spiritual significance and attract thousands of devotees every year.
History and Location of Char Dham Temples
Yamunotri Temple (3,293 meters)
Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, this temple is the first stop of the Char Dham Yatra. It was built in the 19th century by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal.
Location: Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand
Gangotri Temple (3,100 meters)
Dedicated to Goddess Ganga, this temple marks the origin of the holy river Ganges. It was built in the 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa.
Location: Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Temple (3,583 meters)
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is believed to have been built by the Pandavas and later revived by Adi Shankaracharya.
Location: Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand
Badrinath Temple (3,133 meters)
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Badrinath is the most important temple of the Char Dham circuit. Adi Shankaracharya established it in the 8th century.
Location: Chamoli district, Uttarakhand
Char Dham Yatra Starting & End Date 2025
The Char Dham Yatra begins in May 2025 (tentative Akshaya Tritiya) and ends in November 2025 (tentative Bhai Dooj). The exact dates depend on the temple committee’s announcement and weather conditions.
Winter Seats of Char Dham Temples
During the winter season (November to April), the main temples close, and the deities are shifted to their winter seats:
Yamunotri → Kharsali Temple
Gangotri → Mukhba Temple
Kedarnath → Omkareshwar Temple (Ukhimath)
Badrinath → Narasimha Temple (Joshimath)
How to Reach Char Dham Temples?
Nearest Airport
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED) (for all Char Dham temples)
Nearest Train Station
Haridwar Railway Station (HW)
Rishikesh Railway Station (RKSH)
Dehradun Railway Station (DDN) (for Yamunotri & Gangotri)
Travel by Road
Buses and taxis are available from Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun to Char Dham circuit locations.
Roads are well-connected to Uttarkashi (for Yamunotri & Gangotri) and Rudraprayag (for Kedarnath & Badrinath).
Best Way to Get to Char Dham Temples Through Helicopter
For a faster and more comfortable journey, helicopter services are available from Dehradun. Pilgrims can book a Char Dham helicopter package for a 2-5 day tour covering all four temples. Helicopter services operate from Sahastradhara Helipad, Dehradun.
Pooja and Aarti at the Char Dham Temples
Yamunotri: Mangala Aarti (morning), Shayan Aarti (evening)
Gangotri: Ganga Aarti at Gangotri Ghat (evening)
Kedarnath: Rudrabhishek Puja (morning), Shringar Aarti (evening)
Badrinath: Maha Abhishek (morning), Geeta Path, Aarti (evening)
For a divine experience, pilgrims can book special pujas and VIP darshan at each temple.
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