Complete Guide and Itinerary for Char Dham Yatra 2025

In today’s chaotic world, it’s essential to seek refuge in the sacred spaces that nourish our body, mind, and soul.  
The temples, with their positive, divine atmosphere and holy vibrations, work as a balm and eliminate negative vibes from our surroundings.  

If you’re searching for an enlightenment experience that will uplift your soul, get ready for the wonderful Char Dham Yatra-2025.  

Journey Of Char Dham Yatra

Uttarakhand (Devbhumi, or the Land of Gods) is home to various temples. Among the innumerable religious sites and temples, one of the most prominent is the Char Dham Yatra. As the name suggests, char means four(4) in hindi, this yatra is a tour of four sacred and holy temples: 

• Yamunotri
• Gangotri
• Kedarnath
• Badrinath

These four holy sites are a powerhouse of peace and divine energy where one can feel himself and his inner voice. Char Dham Yatra has great importance in the lives of people as it is believed that this yatra washes away all sins and opens doors for “Moksha” or “Salvation”.  Every human being should consider visiting these sacred yatra at least once in their lifetime.

Origin of Char Dham Yatra

The Origins of the Char Dham Yatra can be traced back to ancient Hindu Puranas and the Mahabharata.  
These texts mention the significance of the Char Dham and their association with various Gods and Goddesses.

Yamunotri

Dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna, the daughter of Surya Dev, the site is believed to be the source of the Yamuna river.

Gangotri 

Situated at the origin of the Bhagirathi river, which later on becomes the Ganga, dedicated to the Goddess Ganga.  As per Hindu Mythology, Ganga descended to Earth from heaven upon the request of King Bhagiratha to cleanse the souls of his ancestors.

Kedarnath

Dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, or manifestations of the divine lingam(symbol of Lord Shiva).  The legend narrates that after the war of Kurukshetra, the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva for the sins committed during the war. Lord Shiva came in the form of a bull.

Badrinath

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, or Badri Vishal, believed that Lord Vishnu meditated here for thousands of years.  
It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, sacred Lord Vishnu temples mentioned in the works of the Alvars(Tamil Poet).

Development

During the mediaeval period, rulers such as the Katyuri Dynasty in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand contributed to the maintenance and expansion of the pilgrimage routes. They build temples, dharamshala and other facilities to accommodate yatris(pilgrims).  

Modern Significance

In the modern era, the Char Dham Yatra continues to attract millions of yatris across India and outside India. The government of Uttarakhand, recognising its importance, has undertaken various initiatives to improve infrastructure and ensure facilities and safety of yatris.

Places to visit in Yamunotri

• Barsu village
• Hanuman Chatti
• Kharsali
• Barkot
• Dayara Bugyal
• Uttarkashi

Places to visit in Gangotri

• Dodi Tal
• Kedar Tal
• Gangotri National Park
• Bhagirathi Glacier
• Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

Places to visit in Kedarnath

• Triyuginarayan Temple
• Rudra Cave Kedarnath
• Shankaracharya Samadhi
• Bhairavnath Temple

Places to visit in Badrinath

• Narad Kund
• Mana village (first village of India)
• Panch Dhara
• Panch Shila
• Valley of Flowers
• Hemkund Sahib

Opening Dates of the Char Dham Yatra 2025:

Closing Dates of the Char Dham Yatra 2025:

Char Dham Yatra Route:

The Char Dham Yatra Route is well constructed and includes various dharamsala and hotels.

The route starts from Yamunotri then Gangotri, Kedarnath and then Badrinath. Haridwar- Rishikesh- Barkot- Janki-Chatti-Yamunotri- Gangotri- Rudraprayag- Kedarnath- Gaurikund- Rudraprayag- Badrinath- Rishikesh- Haridwar.

Best time to visit Char Dham Yatra

• May to June
• September to October

During these months, the weather is good and roads are safe.  
Avoid rainy or monsoon months and plan your trip during mild weather.

Char Dham Yatra Registration process:

The Char Dham Yatra also known as (chota char dham yatra) Registration process is mandatory for pilgrims who plan to use the helicopter service to visit the temples. This registration is not required for those who plan to travel by road or on foot.