In the Indian Tradition, pilgrimage is an important activity. Devotees undergo various meaningful rituals for their faith. An important final step towards being devoted is to take a holy pilgrimage for “Sanskaar Nirvah”.
Chardham Yatra is an essential journey that devotees go on. This exquisitely beautiful destination has been visited by lakhs of people every year. This is all due to pure devotion. Let us understand more about this place.
What is Chardham?
Chardham, as the name suggests, stands for the “four dhams” or four sites. It is a circuit of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, which is located in the upper north region of India. Chardham covers four holy sites.
Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath make up the four Dhams. Pilgrims come to all four to fulfill the purpose of their pilgrimage.
Apart from lakhs of devotees, the places also get tourists in large numbers. Chardham symbolizes eternal peace and salvation for its visitors. Here are some distinct qualities of each of the four sites of the Chardham pilgrimage:-
Yamunotri
Yamunotri is found in the western region of Uttarakhand. The houses the auspicious Yamunotri temple, which is devoted to Goddess Yamuna. Read here: Places to Visit in Yamunotri
Gangotri
On the north of Uttarakhand is Gnagotri. The most important part of this site is the holy Gangotri Temple- dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Read here: Places to Visit in Gangotri
Badrinath
Badrinath is located in Chamoli of Uttarakhand. Badrinath site is devoted to Lord Vishnu. The place houses the Badrinath Temple. Read here: Places to Visit in Badrinath
Kedarnath
Kedarnath is for Lord Shiva and is situated in Rudraprayag of Uttarakhand. One of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The Kedarnath Temple is encapsulated in the Himalayas. You can only visit this by air transport. Read here: Places to Visit in Kedarnath
Visiting Chardham in Winter
Visiting Chardham during winter can be quite challenging. It requires careful planning due to the region’s extreme weather conditions and heavy snowfall. Here are some important factors:
Weather Conditions
During the winter season, the Chardham region experiences extremely cold temperatures. Heavy snowfall is common.
Accessibility
Heavy snowfall can bar the routes that lead to Chardham sites; kindly stay updated regarding those. The Chardham Road, which leads to Badrinath and Kedarnath, is closed too. You should consider helicopter travel while visiting.
Spiritual Significance
Despite the challenges, some devotees visit Chardham in winter for its spiritual significance. The temples at Kedarnath and Badrinath stay open during certain periods, and special rituals are performed.
Serenity
Winter visits to Chardham are an experience of tranquillity. The snow-covered landscapes, pristine surroundings, and calm atmosphere create a serene experience.
Tourist Influx
Despite the various challenges posed by the cold weather, devotees visit Chardham in huge numbers. Over 46 lakhs of devotees are noted to see Chardham, most of which are the winter footfall of the sites. The cold does not stop fellow devotees from paying their respects and embarking on the pilgrimage.
Tourist attractions
Chardham is located in one of the most richly endowed regions of the country. Let us know about some tourist attractions you must visit when visiting this region:-
Shani Dev Temple
Located in the Kharsali village, this temple is dedicated to Shani Dev. While you visit the Yamunotri Dham, you can also visit this temple, as it is only 2 km away.
Surya Kund
The Surya Kund is yet another attraction near the Yamunotri Temple. The proximity of the two places symbolizes the father-daughter relationship between Surya Dev and Yamuna.
Uttarkashi
This is an important place to know when you are looking for ashrams. Uttarkashi also houses some fine temples.
Bhairavnath Temple
This is the auspicious temple of Lord Bhairav. A very easy place to visit since it is located 500 meters away from the Kedarnath Dham.
Hemkund Sahib
Also situated in Chamoli, Hemkund Sahib is a holy Sikh site. It pays respect to the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Bheem Pul
The Bheem Pul is said to have been built by no other than the Pandava brother Bheem. It is a stone bridge across the Saraswati River.
How does one Visit Chardham in 2023?
Before visiting, decide on a mode of transportation. You can use the roads to come here and then use air transport facilities.
- By road: If you prefer traveling by road, you can use a car or join a Chardham Yatra tour package. The road network connects the major towns and cities in Uttarakhand with the pilgrimage sites.
- By air: Helicopter services are available to reach Kedarnath. You can use a car or join a Chardham Yatra by Helicopter.The helipad locations are Phata, Guptkashi, and Sirsi for Kedarnath and Dehradun for All Char Dham.
Where to stay when visiting Chardham?
Having a place to stay while you go on such a journey is important. Here are a few important accommodations around the area that will be both reasonable and worthy-
Hotel is one of the best options to stay comfortable. Facilities like breakfast, attached washrooms and all temperatures of water are available here. The hotel is also budget-friendly.
Places to eat while visiting Chardham
A good meal is part of every pilgrimage journey. Do not forget to enjoy some hearty meals at the following top restaurants in Chardham-
In chardham route all of you, enjoy delicious typical Indian meals and breakfast while on the trip. Lakhs of people come here for home-like food that will soothe them on their journey. The prices are cheap as well.
Conclusion
Chardham is the most important journey taken up by devoted Indians and tourists. In the coming years, several lakhs of people will visit Chardham. It is essential to take proper precautions during this journey so it becomes a fruitful one.
