Char Dham Yatra

About Char Dham Yatra of India

Yatra is basically a tour of visiting the holy sites, Char Dham Yatra is a Divine expedition to a set of four significant pilgrimage sites. This spiritual journey to 4 Dham pilgrimage destinations is considered to be most auspicious that includes Yamunotri Dham, Gangotri Dham, Kedarnath Dham and Badrinath Dham. Every Dham has its own religious significance and historical aspects draped around it.

Travelling to these sites and being in the presence of such devotional and sacred ambiance is believed to have a great impact in one’s life. From washing away sins to keeping the negative energies away and from ensuring spiritual enlightenment to attainment of salvation, all are believed to be achieved if witnessed all the four abodes.

The significant way of this divine journey is usually carried out by a clockwise visit to the very four Char Dham Temples. Starting from Yamunotri which is the westernmost shrine and ending with Badrinath, the northernmost sacred setting. Aspects like spirituality, picturesque vistas, tranquil ambiance, and the divine presence attracts n-number of visitors and devotees from around the planet.

Significance of the Char Dham Yatra in Hindu Religion

Char Dham of Uttarakhand holds a great religious, cultural, historical and tourism significance. Talking about the religious importance, Yatra to Char Dham is known to wash off one’s sins and is believed to be a heavenly gateway to salvation and spiritual enlightenment. Attainment of liberation from evil sights, spiritual awakening and utmost peace can be achieved via visiting Char Dham site cluster.

Beyond the religious significance, Yamunotri Yatra, Gangotri Yatra, Kedarnath Yatra and Badrinath Yatra also holds tourism importance, as huge number of devotees travel to these shrines directly influence the local economy of Uttarakhand as well as the local livelihood of people residing in the region.

Having a historical significance, millions of devotees have great beliefs, high faiths, and promising outcomes since the olden days.

History of Char Dham Temples

The pilgrimage cluster comprising of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, collectively known as Char Dham has a significantly enriched history wrapped around it. History has it that, all these four abodes are the pillars of faith since the by-gone era and continues to remain the beacon of hope to millions of devotees.

Char Dham of India is believed to be traced back to the 8th century when a philosopher and reformer of that era established the Char Dham circuit, known as Adi Shankaracharya. That circuit of four primary temple cities are Badrinath, Rameshwaram, Dwarka and Pauri.

There’s a slight differentiation between Char Dham and Chhota Char Dham. Char Dham is a collective of four temple cities, which was formed dated back in the 8th century by a monk, Adi Shankaracharya.

Whereas Chota 4 Dham is a cluster of four pilgrimage sites that includes, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, emerged later in the 20th century, each having an important temple named after every site which are a representation of different deities of Hinduism.

Legend has it that many then-royal families and people in authorities highly contributed to the legacy of Char Dham, the significance of which is evident till date.

Weather & Climate at Char Dham Temples

The weather and climatic conditions at Char Dham Temples ain’t the same year-round and varies as the season changes.

During the summer season, May – June, the weather gets pleasant during the day with an average temperature ranging from 17◦ C to 35◦C. Although the early mornings and late nights might get cold.

In Monsoon season, July – September, the holy yatra is closed during this time, due to the occurrence of heavy rainfall that raises the stakes of landslides and floodings.

At the time of Autumn, October – November, temperature drops down to 8◦C to 22◦C, as this time is the beginning of the winter season, snowfall may occur.

During winters, December to February, the sacred shrines are closed due to the temperature that falls down below the freezing point.

Special Puja Booking at Char Dham Temples

The Char Dham temples have their designated arti schedule. But if someone is looking to organise a special puja for personal reasons, say, for family welfare, blessings for future endeavours or for health.

The cluster of all four pilgrimage sites offers special puja and rituals that includes a variation of path, aarti and followed by bhog.

A prior online booking is a must and mandatory. It can be done via visiting official websites. From making pooja registrations to making donations for the temples, all can be easily done by completing the formalities provided by the official online portals. One can even try consulting with the temple authorities and priests for seeking proper guidance for intending to be a part of a special pooja or a ritual practice.

The cost may fluctuate especially during the peak season and as per the kind of puja one is looking for, as well as the involvement of priests and the number of temple staff engaged, also the resources used in the completion of such puja.

Aarti Timings in Char Dham Temples

There is a set of timings for Aarti which are followed by the four shrines that includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The timings may slightly differ as the season changes at every shrine.

Yamunotri Temple’s overall timings throughout the day are from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Morning Aarti which is called the ‘Mangal Aarti’ is performed from 6:30 am till 7:30. Evening Aarti which is the ‘Shayan Aarti’ is performed from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Gangotri Temple’s overall timings for Aarti are from 6:00 am to 9:30 pm. Mangal Aarti happens at 6:00 am, Shayan Aarti starts at 6:30 pm and ends at 7:45 pm.

For Kedarnath Temple, darshanarthi timings are from 4:00 am to 9:00 pm. Which are not so different from the Aarti timings which happens from 4 in the morning till 7 in the evening that includes a variation of Pujas and path, rituals and sevas.

For Badrinath Temple, overall timings are 4:00 am to 7:00 pm. Maha Abhishek Aarti timings are 4:00 am to 6:30 am. And Shayan Aarti gets performed from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Online/Offline Registration for Char Dham Yatra

In order to be a part of the divine expedition to Char Dham circuit, one needs to have a registration done before hand. Getting registered is both mandatory as well beneficial in terms of safety and security that comes with amenities for a hassle-free Yatra.

There are two ways through which the registration can be done, Online registration and Biometric registration (offline).

There are certain documentation requirements in order to proceed for an online form to get registered: Valid ID proofs that includes Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Passport (if any) or Driving Licence. There are many user-friendly online government portals which can be accessed from anywhere for such service.

One of many preferrable sites is https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/

If looking to get registered through offline means, one needs to visit the government designated registration centres which are available in big cities of Uttarakhand like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Barkot etc. Just fill the form, attach the xerox copies asked for submission and make the payments, one will be left with a confirmation slip.

Convenience is the utmost factor in prior registration.