Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra 2025: Complete Travel Guide

The Char Dham Yatra is a significant Hindu pilgrimage believed to cleanse sins and lead to liberation (Moksha). To complete the Char Dham Yatra, you must visit the four holy places considered for a Char Dham Yatra, which include the four sacred sites. The Yatra is not done for travel purposes; it is firmly believed that the significant reason for doing the Char Dham Yatra is to wash away sins and impurities from this life and past lives. Thus, the Yatra is seen as a path towards achieving Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The Char Dham Yatra holds immense religious significance in Hinduism, a pilgrimage to four sacred sites believed to lead to spiritual purification.

The Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage to four holy sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. "Char Dham" refers to a pilgrimage circuit of four sacred sites in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. If you plan to complete the Char Dham Yatra in 2025, bring your file to the information mentioned and get updated.

Yamunotri Dham

Yamunotri Dham is a sacred Hindu temple and the source of the Yamuna River, located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India. It is considered one of the four sites in the Char Dham pilgrimage. The significance of the Dham is that the Yamuna River is regarded as sacred in Hinduism, and Yamunotri is its origin point. The plane holds a string of spiritual importance where the pilgrims visit Yamunotri to offer prayers, seek blessings, and experience the spiritual atmosphere of the site. The accessibility status of the dham is that the temple is accessible via a trek from Janki Chatti, a village with hot springs, or by horse.

Gangotri Dham

Gangotri Dham is one of the four pilgrimage sites in the Char Dham circuit, and is the origin of the Holy River Ganga. The Ganga River originates at Gaumukh, within the Gangotri Glacier and approximately 19 km from the Gangotri temple. You can visit the temple there and witness the historical temple built in Nagara style, which features beautiful sculptures. You can trek to Gaumuck, the source of the Ganga, which is accessible by a 19 km trek from Gangotri. Visit the Dham and further worship the most significant river of the Indian subcontinent, the Ganga, in the form of a Goddess.

Kedarnath Dham

Kedarnath Dham is one of the four primary sites of the Uttarakhand Char Dham, situated at an altitude of 3586 meters and surrounded by snow peaks and the Mandakini River. Kedarnath temple is also one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a strong spiritual significance. To access the temple, you have to trek 17 kilometers from Gaurikund, a route that can also be traversed by Pony or Palanquin. Thus, the helicopter service is also available.

Badrinath Dham

Badrinath Dham, also known as the Badrinath temple, is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site. One of the four dharmas is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India. The temple holds an extreme historical importance and is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century. The majestic Himalayan peaks with mesmerizing, scenic views surround the temple. The temple is divided into three sections, which are named as Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum), the Darshan Mandap (where rituals are conducted), and the Sabha Mandap (where pilgrims assemble).

Char Dham Yatra opening dates 2025

You may wonder about the opening and closing dates while you are further planning the Char Dham Yatra in 2025. All four sites are just open for six months to offer Darshan. The opening dates for all four pilgrimage sites are as mentioned, and closing dates will still need to be updated later. Go through the information as mentioned and plan for your visit accordingly.

• Yamunotri Temple – 30 April 2025.
• Gangotri Temple – 30 April 2025.
• Kedarnath Temple – 2 May 2025.
• Badrinath Temple – 3 May 2025.

The Timing for the Char Dham Yatra

The Char Dham Yatra is typically open six months a year, and the opening date is announced yearly, as there is no particular date. Thus, the Char Dham Yatra generally gets activated during late April or early May and closes around October or November. The Char Dham temple committee and the Kedar-Badri Mandir Samiti determine the exact opening and closing dates. Thus, the temples are closed during winter due to the harsh weather conditions that can harm devotees.

Char Dham Darshan Timing

The Char Dham Yatra darshan timings generally follow a pattern, with most temples open for morning and evening darshan. Where the morning darshan tends to happen from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm, and the evening darshan happens from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and the latter depends on the temple. You must reach the temple during the aarti time and experience morning and evening rituals. The following are the darshan timings for the Char Dham Yatra sites:

Yamunotri Temple:

• Morning Darshan: 6:15 am - 2:00 pm.
• Evening Darshan: 3:00 pm - 9:30 pm.

Gangotri Temple:

• Morning Darshan: 6:00 am - 1:00 pm.
• Evening Darshan: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Kedarnath Temple:

• Morning Darshan: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm.
• Evening Darshan: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Badrinath Temple:

• Morning Darshan is from 4:30 am to 1:00 pm.
• Evening Darshan is from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Char Dham Aarti Timing

While heading to the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, you must ensure you reach before the aarti time. Attend the aarti and experience the divine vibe and blessings. The information mentioned below provides details about the aarti timings of all four pilgrimage sites.

• Yamunotri Temple aarti timing - 6:00 am and 7:45 pm
• Gangotri Temple aarti timing - 6:30 am and 7:30 pm
• Kedarnath Temple aarti timing - 06:00 am and 08:30 pm
• Badrinath Temple aarti timing - 4.30 am and 8:30 pm

The Best Time to Visit the Char Dham

The Devotee waits eagerly for Char Dham to open and embarks on the Chardham Yatra, India's most sacred pilgrimage. Thus, if you are planning to experience the Char Dham Yatra and are looking for the best time to visit. An ideal time to visit the Char Dhams of Uttar Pradesh is during the few months of spring and summer. Below is the itinerary for the best time to visit the Char Dham.

Spring: The spring season is from April to June, and is the ideal time to visit the Char Dham. Thus, this is the most comfortable month for trekking and sightseeing, as the weather is pleasant and straightforward during the respective period. The sky is clear, the valleys bloom with flowers, and you get the most beautiful experience.

Summer: Another good season to travel to Char Dham is July to mid-September. The summer months bring a mixed experience. The initial part of July is pleasant, but the monsoon arrives mid-July and extends until mid-September. This is your experience of the beautiful landscape as a lush green paradise, and you also experience fewer crowds.

Therefore, when planning to visit the Char Dham, you must choose the best time. It depends on your preferences and priorities. Spring and autumn are the most considered and comfortable seasons to see the following pilgrimage sites of Uttarakhand.

How to Reach the Char Dhams?

Visiting the Char Dham sites in Uttarakhand is not easy. Thus, there are different ways to reach the following sites. You can also travel to the Char Dham sites by air, rail, and road.

By Flight:

You can proceed with your Char Dham Yatra by flight and avoid all the rush and chaos. The nearest airport to the shrines of the Char Dham Yatra is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. After reaching Dehradun, you can easily get a vehicle to your desired destination.

By Train:

You can also head further towards your Char Dham Yatra by train, where you can head to the two closest railway stations to start your travel, Rishikesh Railway Station and Haridwar Railway Station. After that, you can leave the station and find transportation for your spiritual journey.

By Road:

The sites of the Char Dham are connected by road, and you can travel to the following pilgrimage sites by road, as this is the most convenient way to proceed. Gangotri and Badrinath are not very difficult to reach, as they are connected by road, and you can easily access them. You can also take a direct bus from Bangalore to Haridwar/Rishikesh, hire a taxi, or take a bus to the Char Dham sites.

By Helicopter:

You can also reach the four pilgrimage sites by helicopter, as different travel companies operate helicopter services on the following routes. Thus, they tend to provide helicopter service for all four dams. The helicopter services are as mentioned.

• Yamunotri - Kharsali Helipad.
• Gangotri - Harshil Civil Helipad.
• Kedarnath - Phata Helipad.
• Badrinath - Badrinath Helipad.

The Map Route for the Char Dham Yatra

While you are further planning to proceed with the Char Dham Yatra and complete it in one go, you can follow up with the route map for the Char Dham Yatra. The total distance covered by the Char Dham Yatra is 1,607 km, which starts from Haridwar and further ends at Rishikesh. You can follow up with the route map and complete your Char Dham Yatra. Look at the information as mentioned and proceed with the Yatra.

• Delhi to Haridwar.
• Haridwar to Barkot.
• Barkot to Yamunotri.
• Barkot to Uttarkashi.
• Uttarkashi to Gangotri.
• Uttarkashi to Rudraprayag.
• Rudraprayag to Kedarnath.
• Rudraprayag to Badrinath.
• Badrinath to Rishikesh.
• Rishikesh to Delhi.

Char Dham Weather During the Year?

Different months have different seasons and temperatures. Thus, if you are planning to go on the Char Dham Yatra, you must travel during the best time. To learn more about the seasons of the pilgrimage sites, look at the information mentioned below and get updated with the following.

Winters: The pilgrimage site winters last from November to March, and you tend to experience excessive snowfall. The Darshan is not active during this period. Uttarakhand tends to receive heavy snowfall, so it is not the time to plan our trip. Also, the temples are shifted to lower altitude temples for six months.

Summer: The perfect season to visit the Char Dham pilgrimage site is April to June. The average temperature of the Himalayas during the summer is around 20 to 35° C. This is the best time to plan your travel to the Char Dhams as the weather is favourable and pleasing during the summer.

Monsoon: The monsoon tends to start in June and extend until September. This month is not recommended for trekking, as there is excessive rain during this particular month, and travelling can get tricky. Thus, this is the least preferred time for travelling to the sites, and you tend to receive a massive rainfall there, which can cause landslides.

The Essential Things to Remember for the Char Dham Yatra?

Certain things are essential while planning the Char Dham Yatra, and you must carry them along while travelling. To learn more about the following, focus on the information mentioned below and get to know it.

• Pack layered clothes, as the temperature tends to get low there, and you might feel chilly during the late night and early morning hours.
• You must pack a reliable rain jacket and waterproof footwear to be prepared for an unexpected rainfall.
• While heading for a trek, you should have a good pair of trekking shoes. These shoes will give you an excellent grip and help you, especially in landslide-prone areas.
• Keep yourself updated with the weather conditions and regularly check the weather so you can further adjust your plans accordingly.
• Carry essential medicines and a first aid kit with critical medication to protect you from basic sicknesses. Health can be compromised when the body experiences different weather.
• Pack the emergency essentials, which include the flashlight, batteries, a multi-tool, and a whistle. Carry the item that tends to provide you with a sense of security. Carry your other essential items along for safety purposes.
• Carry a fully charged mobile phone with a power bank that tends to have a reliable means of communication to stay strong with fellow pilgrims and family members.

The Process for Registering for the Char Dham Yatra

You must register online before travelling further for the Char Dham Yatra. Registering is essential; otherwise, the security check will stop you from entering the area. Thus, there are both online and offline ways to register. To get information about the method of registering, look at the details mentioned and get further updated accordingly.

Online mode:

• Go to the registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in from any browser.
• If you don't have one, create an account by mentioning your email and mobile number.
• Further proceed with the registration process for the Char Dham Yatra.
• Provide information about your travel, including dates and destinations.
• Enter details for each pilgrim, including names, ages, and other relevant information.
• Submit the registration form and download your registration letter or e-pass.
• Ensure you carry the registration confirmation during your journey.

Offline mode:

• Go to an authorised registration counter at a designated location.
• Fill out the registration form by mentioning all the necessary details.
• Submit and provide the required documents, including ID proof and photographs.
• You will then further receive a Yatra pass as confirmation of registration.

Documents required for the Char Dham Yatra

There are certain documents that you must carry along with you while you are travelling further to the Char Dhams for the Yatra. To further know about the documents that are required, get further updates.

• Carry a valid Government-Issued Photo ID (Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card, Passport, or Driving License)
• Carry your recent Passport-Size Photographs along with you.
• Active Mobile Number (crucial for receiving OTPs and updates)
• Basic Contact Information (email ID and complete residential address)
• Emergency Contact Details (details of a person who can be contacted in case of an emergency

FAQS About Char Dham Yatra 2025

Q1. Is there any trek on the Chardham Route?

Yes, two treks are available on the Chardham route: one on the Kedarnath route, which is 20 km, and the other on the Yamunotri route, about 6 km.

Q2. What is the best time to visit for the Char Dham Yatra?

The best times to visit the Char Dham Yatra are May to June and September to October. The weather is generally pleasant during these periods.

Q3. What are the risks of visiting Char Dham during the monsoon season?

Travelling to the Char Dhams during the monsoon is risky, as the Yatra tends to get tough because of the high altitude, rough roads, and changing weather. But you still get a great experience, and you can saunter, drink water, and carry other important things to be safe.

Q4. Is it essential to make registration for the Char Dham Yatra?

Yes, it is mandatory to register for the Char Dham Yatra, which is the system implemented by the government of Uttarakhand to ensure the safety of the pilgrims and manage crowds and facilities for a smooth experience.

Q5. Can a solo female traveller visit the Char Dham Yatra safely?

The Char Dham Yatra is generally considered safe for solo female travellers. The local people of Uttarakhand are kind and helpful. But it's crucial to take precautions, book with a reputable travel agency, and be aware of potential health risks.