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CHARDHAM
The majestic Himalayas is known as the Dev Bhoomi, the land of
the gods. The majestic Garhwal Himalayas that adorn the magnificent
state of Uttaranchal, awaits and rejuvenating spiritual experience
for devout. Nestling in the lofty peaks are the four most renowned
pilgrimages of India.
a) Yamunotri
b) Gangotri
c) Kedarnath
d) Badrinath
These pilgrimages are collectively referred to as the Char Dham
(or four pilgrimage centres) of Hinduism. For centuries, saints
and pilgrims, in their search for the divine, have walked these
mystical vales recorded in ancient Hindu scriptures.
YAMUNOTRI
General Information:
Altitude: 3165 mts.
Climate: Summer: cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter:
Snow bound. Touching sub-Zero.
Clothing : April to july -Light woolens
Sep.
to Nov -Heavy woolens
Language: Hindi, Garhwali & English
Best Season: May to October
Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, it is perched atop a flank of the
Bandar Poonchh peak and is situated opposite to Gangotri.
 The
chief attraction at Yamunotri is the temple devoted to goddess Yamuna
and the holy thermal springs at Jankichatti (7 km. Away).Yamunotri
finds a special mention in the Hindu mythology. The exact source
of River Yamuna is the Champasar glacier on the Kalinda Parvat at
an altitude of 4142mts. The temple of the Goddess Yamuna is on the
bank of the river and below it are several hot water springs. A
holy dip in the nearby tank filled by hot springs and cooking rice
in its water are common rituals performed by the devotees.
The trek to Yamunotri offers some of the breathtaking views of the
rugged Himalayan panorama. Ponies and palanquins are available for
carrying the pilgrims along the entire trekking route. Souryakund
and Divyashila are other nearby places where pilgrims offer prayer
during their visit.
How To Get There
Airport : Jolly Grant, 196 Kms. from Yamunotri via Dehradun.
Railhead : Rishikesh, 219 kms., & Dehradun 172 kms.
Road : Dharasu, 107 kms. Rishikesh, 213 kms. & Dehradun,
172 kms.
GANGOTRI
General information:
Altitude: 3042 mts.
Climate: Summer: Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter : Snow-bound Touching sub-zero
Clothing: Summer: Light wollens
Winter: Very heavy woolens
Language: Hindi, Garhwali & English
Season: May to November
 This
hinterland shrine is the most sacred in the Himalayas. According
to mythology, Goddess Ganga, the daughter of Heaven, manifested
herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath's
predecessors after centuries of penance. Lord shiva received her
into his matted locks to minimize the impact of her fall. King Bhagirath
worshipped lord shiva and after long penance she flowed on to land.
Several pilgrims trek upto the source to offer prayers either on
foot or on ponies. The verdant valleys, dense forest and towering
peaks offer excellent trekking and mountaineering opportunities
for adventure enthusiasts.
How To Get There
Airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun 266 kms.
Railhead: Rishikesh, 249 kms.
Road: Well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and
Delhi.
KEDARNATH
General Information:
Altitude: 3581 mts.
Climate: Winter: Sep. to Nov. cold during the day and chilly
at night.
Summer:May-Aug. Cool during the day and cold night.
Clothing: Light woolen in Summer Heavy,
Language: Hindi, Garhwali and English
Best Season: May to October except monsoon
 One
of the twelve Jyotirlings of Kedar or Lord Shiva, this is also the
origin of the river Mandakini. As per the legend the pandavas sought
the blessings of Lord Shiva to atone their sins after the battle
of Mahabharata. Lord Shiva eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing
took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed
he divided into the ground leaving a hump behind. Adi Guru Shankaracharya
built this temple.
This conical protrusion is worshipped as the idol of the Shrine.The
remaining portion of Lord Shiva are worshipped at four places-the
arms (bahu) at Tungnath, mouth (mukha) at Rudranath, naval (nabhi)
at Madmaheshwar and hair (jata) at Kalpeshwar. Together with Kedarnath,
these places are known as the panch Kedar.
How To Get There:
Airport: Jolly Grant, Dheradun 246 kms.
Railhead: Rishikesh 229 kms, Kotdwar 260 kms.
Road: Approachable on foot (14 kms) from Gaurikund, which
is connected by road to Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Dehradun, Haridwar and
other important hill stations of Garhwal and kumaon region.
BADRINATH
General Information:
Altitude: 3133mts.
Climate: Summer: Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter: Snow-bound Touching sub-zero
Clothing: In the month of May heavy woolens
In the month of June-Sept. Ligth woolens
In the month of Oct.-Nov Heavy woolens
Language: Hindi, English and Garhwali.
Best Season: June to October.
 Between
the twin ranges of Nar and Narayan lies the holy shrine, Badrinath.
It is on the banks of river Alaknanda, in the backdrop of Neelkanth
mountain ranges. Legend goes that river Ganga was requested to descend
but the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent,
therefore the mighty river was split into twelve holy channels.
Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu
or Badrinath. The spot was carpeted with black berries, which are
locally called 'Badris'. Hence the place was called Badrivan.
The devotees take a dip in the natural thermal springs on the banks
of the Alaknanda before entering the Shrine; the hot water is said
to have medicinal properties.
How To Get there:
Airport: Jolly grant, 317kms.
Railhead: Rishikesh 300 Kms., Kotdwar 327 Kms .
Road: Well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun,
Kotdwar and other hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon region.
HARIDWAR
General information:
Altitude: Haridwar is situated at a height of almost 300
meters above sea level and the temperature.
Climate: Summer: around 40°C during day
Winter:
mercury dipping to as low as 6°C.
Language: Hindi, Punjabi, Garhwali and English.
Best Season: October to March
 Situated
on the right bank of the Ganga, Haridwar is one of the seven sacred
cities of India. Associated with both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu,
Haridwar casts a magical spell on the visitor. It is from here that
the crystal clear Ganga makes its way through the lush green hills
to the plains. The breathtaking sight of a thousand twinkling diyas
dancing in the holy waters during the 'Ganga Ard', the innumerable
temples, ashrams, yoga centres. Everything adds to the charm of
this oldest and holiest Indian city.
PRIME ATTRACTION
Har Ki Pauri -The scared bathing ghat, which is also known
as "Brahmakund". The reflection of golden hue of floral, floating
Diyas (clay lamps) in the river Ganga in the evening is the most
memorable sight at Har Ki Pauri.
Chandi Devi Temple -The temple of Chandi Devi is on top
of Neel Parvat which can be reach after 3 kms. trek from Chandighat
and there is also a ropeway available.
Mansa Devi Temple -It is situated on top of Bilwa Parvat.
The temple can be reached by ropeway or you can enjoy the journey
on foot. From the top, it provides a beautiful view of the Haridwar
city.
Maya Devi Temple -It is an ancient temple of Mayadevi, the
Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar. It is also known as one of the Sidhapeethas
of India.
Daksha Mahadev Temple -It is an ancient temple of Daksha
Prajapati -father of goddes Mata Sati wife of lord Shiva. This temple
is situated in South Kankhal town.
Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar -As the name suggested it is an
enchanting bird watching point, you can really enjoy here a variety
of bird during the winter season.
How To Get there:
By Road: Well connected by road to Delhi, 220 kms.
By Air: Nearest Airport is Delhi, 220 kms away.
By Rail: Haridwar is connected to Delhi by a daily super
fast train. Also, connected to other important Cities of India viz,
Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, Howrah (Kolkata), Varanasi, Allahabad, Ujjain,
Amritsar, Dehradun, Lucknow, etc.
RISHIKESH
 Rishikesh,
situated on the right bank of river Ganga and surrounded on three
sides by Himalayan ranges, known from medieval time as celestial
abode, is a great pilgrimage centre of India, attracting a large
number of pilgrims. It is believed that Bharat brother of Lord Rama,
subjected himself to severe penance here. A temple known as Bharat
Temple was later constructed at the site and the town Rishikesh
sprang up around the temple. It has since been the abode of saints
and sages from where they sojourn before undertaking the arduous
pilgrimage that lay ahead on the distant Himalayan peaks.
This gateway to the kingdom of Gods and pilgrimage to Badrinath,
Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri is culstered with Ashram, Tourist
Rest House and Dharamsalas.
The Yoga centres of Rishikesh have enchanced the significance of
the place, home and foreign tourist from all over the world visit
this place to have lessons in Yoga and Meditation.
PRIME ATTRACTION
Religious places
Lakshman Julha This suspended iron bridge was build in 1939
and has been a major attraction among the tourists. Ram Jhula- The
other suspended Iron bridge was recently constructed between Shivanand
Ashram and Sawarg Ashram.
Swarga Ashram One can find numerous temples here. This place
has the eating joints and shops where one can do shopping. The beautiful
statues in the area mesmerise the visitors.
Gita Bhavan This newly constructed building is famous for
its attractive paintings and statues from the Hindu mythology. Situated
just across the Lakshman Jhula.
Triveni Ghat This is a bathing ghat. Daily in the morning
and evening there are thousands who take bath here and enjoy the
Maha Aarti being performed. It very soothing to sit on the banks
of the river and enjoy the cool breeze from the river.
Neelkanth Mahadev Mela Situated at a height of 1675 m, on
a hill above Swarg Ashram, Neelkanth Mahadev is one of the most
revered temples of Rishikesh.
Nilkanth Mahadeo Mythology says that in the ancient times
when the ocean was being churned for 'amrit' (Potion for immortality),
first venom oozed out. Lord Shiva drank the venom at a place which
is now called Nilkanth Mahadeo. It is 12 kms from Rishikesh and
is surrounded by peaceful forests.
How To Get There
By Air: Rishikesh does not have an airstrip of its own.
By Train: But there are trains from all the major cities
in the plains.
By Road: The best transport for Rishikesh is by bus. Bus
services are available from far and near places. Particularly there
are regular services from Haridwar, which is just half-an- hour
journey from Rishikesh.
Places to Stay
Rishikesh does not have any big hotels in the five star category
but there are other hotels which offer comfortable stay. The Ashrams
also provide accommodation facility.
Climate
The climate here is continental type but its location in the foothills
gives it a pleasant weather throughout the year. One can visit Rishikesh
any time of the year.
NEARBY CITIES
Delhi - 238 Kms
Uttarkashi - 154 kms
Dehradun - 42 kms
Kedarnath - 228 kms
Haridwar - 25 kms
Mussoorie - 77 kms
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