The Char Dham Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage to the four revered sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, holds profound significance for devotees. Commencing on May 10th, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, the pilgrimage begins with the opening of the doors of Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Kedarnath Dham. The doors of Badrinath Dham will follow suit on May 12th. The pilgrimage traditionally starts at Yamunotri, proceeds to Gangotri, then to Kedarnath, and culminates at Badrinath, following a clockwise route. These revered shrines, situated at high altitudes, remain inaccessible for approximately six months each year, opening their doors to devotees in the summer months (April or May) and closing before the onset of winter (October or November).
Yamunotri Temple, nestled in the Uttarkashi district, is devoted to Goddess Yamuna, while nearby Gangotri, also in Uttarkashi, venerates Goddess Ganga, considered the holiest river in India. Further along the pilgrimage route lies Kedarnath, situated in the Rudraprayag district, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Finally, Badrinath, housing the revered Badrinarayan Temple, pays homage to Lord Vishnu. The Char Dham Yatra, while arduous, is equally divine and spiritually fulfilling.
Planning Ahead - Planning for Chardham Yatra in advance is crucial for making necessary bookings for transportation, accommodation and even for helicopter services.
Physical Fitness - The pilgrimage involved a great deal of walking and t trekking. Therefore, preparing for physical fitness well in advance is deemed necessary.
Health Check-up - Get a health check-up done to ensure physical fitness. Consult a physician in case of any disease, and carry the prescribed medicines.
Check for Weather Updates - Get constant updates on the weather forecast in order to pack and prepare accordingly.
Pack Smartly - Avoid over-burdening the suitcases. Make a list of all the needful items and pack them smartly. Keeping the luggage light facilitates smooth movement during the Char Dham Yatra.
Emergency Kit - Prepare an emergency kit to deal with any unexpected situation. Carry flashlights, power banks, extra batteries, water bottles, dry food items, medicines, and so on.
Maintain sobriety - While embarking on the sacred journey, show respect for the local culture and customs. Be particular with dressing manners. Although there is no specific dress code, putting on simple and sober dresses is recommended.
Document Requirements - While registering for the Char Dham Yatra, a set of documents has to be provided to prove identity. Positively carry all the necessary and genuine documents supporting the identity such as Adhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter Card, Driving License, etc.
Carry Cash - Everywhere ATMs are not available and online payments might not be acceptable. Therefore, it is better to carry enough cash to avoid falling into any tough circumstances.