One Expression around which all religions base their preaching. Peace of mind, body and soul. Since time immemorial both man and God have just one prayer - Shanti - for the living and the Departed. The Char Dham, also called the Deo Bhumi - The Adobe of the Gods - presents just the ambience where the Divine & the Sublime coexist.


Once there, the sheer magnificence and the tranquil beauty so immerses you into a world of spirituality that you experience true peace and humility. Nature in all its splendour, at once huge and overwhelming and yet humble in its exquisite beauty - the pilgrimage to the Char Dhams is the experience that will stay with you and beyond.


The Chardham is visited from left to right, following the Hindu tradition of parikrama or clockwise circumambulation. Pilgrims begin their Chardham Yatra with Yamunotri, the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas. Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna the shrine is situated atop the Bandar Poonch Peak at an altitude of 3,165 m above sea level, opposite to Gangotri. The next stopover of Chardham Yatra is the shrine of Gangotri dedicated to Goddess Ganga. The sacred shrine is situated at an altitude of 3,043 m, on the right bank of Bhagirathi River. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga - the daughter of heaven, came down to earth in the form of a river as a reward for King Bhagirath's penance of several centuries.


The third halt of Chardham Yatra is sacred shrine of Kedarnath situated amidst the picturesque Kedarnath range at an altitude of 3.581 m. Located on the head of river Mandakini, Kedarnath is among the most holiest pilgrimage for the Hindus. In this shrine stands one of the twelve ' Jyotirlingas' of Kedar or Lord Shiva. The Chardham Yatra culminates on arrival at sacred shrine of Badrinath, situated on the right bank of Alaknanda River at an altitude of 3,133 m. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the 15 m high temple shrine is built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a bull and spire. The temple is divided into three parts the 'Garbha Griha' or sanctum sanctorum, the' Darshan Mandap' where the rituals are conducted, and the 'Sabha Mandap' where devotees assemble. The complex has 15 idols including the 1 m tall idol of Badrinath. Beautifully sculpted in black stone, it represents lord Vishnu seated in a meditative pose.


Places to see

• Badrinath
• Kedarnath
• Gangotri
• Yamnotri

How to Reach

• By Air
  Jolly Grant, (317kms.)
• By Rail
  Rishikesh, (300kms .) Kotdwar ,(327 kms.)
• By Road
  Well connected to rishikesh , Haridwar , dehradun , kotdwar And other hill stations of Garhwal and kumaon region