Places to Visit in Chardham
If you also want to go on the pilgrim journey of Chardham, then this guide will help you find out the best places that you must visit during your trip. The Chardham Yatra is very famous pilgrim journey for the Hindus. The pilgrimage covers four major religious places in Uttarakhand, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. There are dozens of exciting places to see during the course of this entire pilgrimage. So, lets dive right into it:
The Chardham Yatra usually begins from Haridwar or Rishikesh. From there, we arrive at the first destination, Yamunotri, after a short trek of 6 km. After that, Gangotri, then Kedarnath which is a 16 km trek, and then finally Badrinath.
Thousands of devotees visit Uttarakhand for the Chardham Yatra. Apart from the four major temples of Chardham, there are various other temples and tourist places which no one usually talks about.
Places to Visit in Yamunotri
Yamunotri is the first destination in the Chardham Yatra. The journey begins from Rishikesh and along the way, we find various interesting places like Dehradun, Mussoorie, Lakhamandal, Barkot, and Janki Chatti. From there, it’s a 6 km trek to Yamunotri.
These are some amazing place that you should definitely visit during your time in Yamunotri:
1. Robber’s Cave
Also known as Guchhupani Caves, this place is 8 km from Dehradun. It is a 600 meter long and there are waterfalls as well at some spots along the way. According to local stories, robbers used to camp in this cave, that’s why it is called Robber’s Cave.
Timing for visit: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Enter fees: ₹25
2. Sahastradhara Waterfall
This waterfall is in Dehradun and it is 24 km away. You can have a peaceful and relaxing time by the side of the waterfall. People say that the water here has medical properties.
Timing for visit: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Enter fees: None
3. Kempty Falls
It’s another marvellous waterfall situated near Mussoorie. The water is 14 km away from the city. This waterfall is a popular tourist spot. You can even enjoy boating in the lake.
Timing for visit: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry fees: None
4. Lakhamandal Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was 25 km away from the Barkot. According to the stories from Mahabharata, Pandavas took shelter here at an adjacent cave after Duryodhana set the Lakshagrah on fire.
Timing for visit: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Entry fees: None
5. Hanuman Chatti
This is a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Yamunotri. The temple is at a distance of 36 km from Barkot and 9 km from Janki Chatti. This place also serves as a base for mountain trekkers.
Timing for visit: Not fixed
Entry fees: None
6. Janki Chatti
This is the last stop before the trek to Yamunotri. This place is popular for its hot springs as travelers come here to relax and rid themselves of all the fatigue and tiredness.
Timing for visit: Not fixed
7. Yamunotri Temple
The Yamunotri temple is of course the main attraction of the place. This is the main Yamunotri temple where all the puja and ceremonies are performed and prasad is offered.
Timing for visit: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
8. Surya Kund
This is a naturally formed hot spring which is adjacent to the Yamunotri temple. Devotees bathe here before entering the temple. People also cook rice and potato in the boiling water which they later offered to Yamuntori Devi. After that, it is given to the devotees as prasad.
9. Divya Shila
This is considered a scared rock pillar which was naturally formed here. Devotees pray here first before going into the main temple for darshan.
10. Champasar Glacier
This is the very place from where the Yamuna River originates. The place is located at a 3 km trek from the main temple. The trek is difficult that’s why people mostly avoid it.
After Yamunotri, the next stop is Gangotri. Continue the journey from Barkot Uttarkashi.
Places to Visit in Uttarkashi
1. Prakateshwar Mahadev
This temple is built inside a naturally formed cave which is at a distance of 36 km from Barkot and 45 km from Uttarkashi. There is a limestone which is shaped like a Shivling. Devotees always stop by here to pray here.
Timing for visit: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
2. Vishwanath Temple
It is a scared temple to Lord Shiva. This temple has a Swayambhu Shivling. The temple also has idols of Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Rishi Markandeya. According to the legends, Lord Shiva appeared here to save Rishi Markandeya from Yama.
Timing for visit: 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM
3. Shakti Temple
The temple is just opposite side of the Vishwanath Temple and this temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Devotees visit here to get blessings from Maa Durga.
Timing for visit: 5:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Places to Visit En Route Uttarkashi to Gangotri
The distance from Uttarkashi to Gangotri is 100 kms. Along the way, you will come across various soothing and peaceful towns and sceneries.
1. Gangnani
This is a peaceful village which is popular for its hot springs known as Rishikund Teerth. Devotees stop by on their way to Gangotri to take a bath in the hot springs.
2. Harsil
This is a hill station which is 78 km from Uttarkashi. This hill station takes you closer to nature which is soothing and calm ambiance. It’s an amazing hidden gem on the way to Gangotri. Just 7 km ahead, there’s a group of seven lakes surrounded by mountains, known as Sattal.
3. Dharali
Dharali is just 2 km away from Harsil, and it is also a must visit spot. This small village has best apple orchards. You can enjoy a fantastic view of the Himalayas from here. There’s a Shiva temple as well which is visited by devotees on the way to Gangotri.
4. Mukhba Village
This picturesque little village is very beautiful, surrounded by diverse pine trees, wooden huts, and different varieties of flowers. The view of the village seems like it came straight out of a picture book. This little village is especially crowded when the Gangotri temple is closed.
5. Bhairon Ghati
Our destination, Gangotri, is now just 10 km from here. This quite valley is located where the Bhagirathi and Jat Ganga River submerges into one. There’s the Bhairon temple which is visited by pilgrims chardham.
Places to Visit in Gangotri
1. Surya Kund
This scared Kund is near the Gangotri temple. It is dedicated to Surya Dev and pilgrims come here to take a scared dip and pray to Sun God before visiting the main temple.
2. Bhagirath Shilla
This scared place is also near the temple. According to the stories, this is the very place where King Bhagirath prayed for years to Maa Ganga for the salvation of his ancestors.
3. Pandava Gufa
This is another place which holds great significance. This is said to be the place where Pandavas stayed and prayed when they were on their way to heaven. This cave is just 1 km from the main temple.
4. Bhojbasa
This peaceful town is 14 km away from Gangotri. The town lies between Tapovan and Gaumukh Glacier. This is a popular camping and trekking site. You have to travel by foot as no transportation options are available.
5. Gaumukh Glacier
This is the glacier from where Ganga River originates. You can access this point with an 18 km trek. This 30 m long glacier is situated at the slope of Chaukhamba range. You will be greeted with breathtaking views of the entire mountain range chardham.
6. Jalmagna Shivling Kalp Kedar Temple
This Shivling always stays submerged in the Bhagirathi River and it is only visible during winter season. Legends says that this is the very place where Lord Shiva received Maa Ganga in his Jata in order to control the water.
Places to Visit En Route Gangotri to Kedarnath
There are various astonishing places in route from Gangotri to Kedarnath. The route goes from Uttarkashi, Guptkashi, and Sonprayag.
1. Agastya Muni
This is the places where the great sage Agastya Muni used to meditate. This peaceful place is around 172 km away from Uttarkashi chardham. Agastya Muni started a gurukul here as well. Many devotees stop by to visit the Agasteshwar temple which is dedicated to him.
2. Guptkashi
There is the Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi which was attacked by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. After that, the original Shivling of the Vishwanath temple was brought back. You will also find Manikarnika Kund and Ardhnareshwar temple. Guptkashi is 30 km before Sonprayag and 25 from Agastya Muni chardham.
3. Sonprayag
This quaint and beautiful place is situated on the bank of the merger of tributaries Vasuki and Mandakini. This place holds great religious significance as well, because it is said that Lord Shiva married Mata Parvati at this very place in the presence of Lord Vishnu. There is a temple of Lord Vishnu as well, known as Triyuginarayan temple.
4. Ukimath
This is a small town, approx. 16 km from Guptkashi. During the winter season, the idols from Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar are moved here in the Omkareshwar temple. All the puja and ceremonies are performed here during winter season chardham. Pilgrims can also visit the Madhyamaheshwar temple which is a 24 km trek from here.
5. Chopta
The small town of Chopta is surrounded by green forests and meadows from all side. The distance to Chopta from Ukimath is just 24 kms. It is the part of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. You can enjoy a peaceful environment when you arrive here in chardham.
6. Gaurikund
This is the last stop before you have to begin your 16 km trek to Kedarnath. There is a temple dedicated to Mata Gauri and a hot spring. Pilgrims bathe in the Kund and then pray to Mata Gauri before journeying to Kedarnath chardham. You can hire ponies or palanquins for the climb from here.
Places to Visit in Kedarnath
1. Bhairav Temple
The temple of Lord Bhairavnath is just a few steps away from the main Kedarnath temple. Bairavnath is considered the guardian of Kedarnath.
2. Vasuki Tal
This is the very lake where Lord Vishnu took baths according to the sacred texts. You can reach the lake with an 8 km trek which is very difficult and not recommended for everyone. But the view is equally rewarding chardham.
3. Rudra Meditation Cave
As the name suggests, this is a cave for meditation and resting. It may look like a cave, but from inside it has all the comfort which you will find in a hotel in chardham. This unique place is provided by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam.
4. Shankaracharya Samadhi
This samadhi sthal is built at the same spot where Adi Shankaracharya attained his enlightened position.
Places to Visit En Route Kedarnath to Badrinath
1. Joshimath
This is a popular stoppage along the route to Badrinath. The idols from Badrinath temple are transferred here to the Narsinh Temple during the winter season chardham. All the ceremonies are performed here the entire season. This place is about 41 km before Badrinath. There is a Math here as well which was established by Adi Shankaracharya. The Math has two temples as well in its premise. The Math also serve as a base for various treks.
2. Hanuman Chatti
It is a hanuman temple and people believe that the wishes of true devotees will come true if they pray here. This is also considered the place where Hanuman met Bheem.
3. Pandukeshwar
This place is very popular En route destination because one of the ‘Sapta Badri’, Yog Dhyan Badri Mandir is located here. This idol of Lord Vishnu is in ‘Dhyan Mudra’. It is said that the temple is as old as the main Badrinath temple. The temple is just 24 km from Joshimath chardham.
Places to Visit in Badrinath
1. Tapt Kund
Locals say that this hot spring contains medical properties. This Kund is located near the main Badrinath temple. All the pilgrim bathe in the Kund before entering the temple.
2. Narad Kund
This is another hot spring which is situated near the Tapt Kund. Sage Narad wrote the ‘Narad Bhakti Sutra’ at this very place. Another legend says that Adi Shankaracharya found the idol of Lord Vishnu at this place, which was later placed in the Badrinath temple chardham.
3. Mana Village
The famous Vyas Cave and the Ganesh Temple is situated in this quaint village. Lord Ganesh helped Rishi Vyas in writing the epic Mahabharata.
4. Bheem Pul
This bridge was built by Bheem by placing a huge rock over the river. This natural bridge is near the Mana Village.
5. Saraswati River
Saraswati name is given to this small stream which emerges from the mountains near Mana Village and submerges into the Alaknanda just 1 km ahead of the source chardham. This is believed to be the lost Saraswati River which disappeared centuries ago.
6. Vasundhara Falls
You can reach this sparking waterfalls through a 6 km trek from the Mana Village chardham. It’s a beautiful vintage point where you will be greeted with amazing views of the nearby peaks and glaciers.
Places to Visit En Route Badrinath to Rishikesh
1. Dhari Devi Temple
This temple is also of great significance to the devotees. It is said that Dhari Devi changes her appearance from a child to a women than an old lady during day time. The temple is 133 km from Joshimath in chardham.
There are plenty of options available for staying during the travels. You can book your Chardham journey through Chiku Cab’s affordable Chardham Yatra package. The tour package will provide you with best places to stay, it will include your flight/train tickets, hotel bookings, reliable transport option for your travels, and more. You can even modify your package or have our expert travel consultant design your tour itinerary as per your requirements. Book your package today with Chiku Cab for a hassle free experience.
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