Char Dham Yatra

Char Dham Yatra Guide 2026

The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Hindus. It consists of visiting four holy shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas:

1. Yamunotri – The source of the Yamuna River, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.
2. Gangotri – The origin of the Ganges River, dedicated to Goddess Ganga.
3. Kedarnath – One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
4. Badrinath – Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, part of the Char Dham of India.

Yatra Details

• The yatra typically starts from Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun and follows the route Yamunotri - Gangotri -  Kedarnath - Badrinath.
• It usually takes 10-12 days to complete.
• The best time for the pilgrimage is from May to October (except during monsoons due to landslides).

Char Dham Travel Options

• By Road: Buses and taxis are available from Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun.
• By Helicopter: A faster option, available from Dehradun, covering all four shrines in 2-3 days.
• Trekking: Required for Kedarnath (16 km from Gaurikund) and Yamunotri (6 km from Janki Chatti).