Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham
Duration: 14 days
Activities: Yamunotri - Gangotri - Kedarnath - Badrinath
Best Time: May - October
Grade:
BADRINATH , KEDARNATH , YAMUNOTRI & GANGOTRI - these four shrines are amongst the holiest of Hindu temples and are collectively called CHAR DHAM which are nestled in the picturesque settings of the Himalayas. Each situated above 3000 mt. is important from a religious as well as for scenic point of view. Get the real perspective.
Day 1: Delhi - Flight:
Arrive Delhi. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Delhi/Haridwar/Rishikesh :
Drive: 225 kms. Morning after breakfast, drive to Rishikesh via Haridwar. Enroute visit Haridwar the sacred spot along the river Ganges where thousands of pilgrims come from all over India to take a holy dip. Later upon arrival at Rishikesh, check in at the hotel. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing of Rishikesh. Rishikesh is popularly know as a prime Yoga centre in India - the various ashrams located along the Ganges conduct some of the best Yoga meditation in India. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 3: Rishikesh/Sayanachatti:
Drive: 220 kms. Morning drive to reach Sayanachatti. Arrive around noon and check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 4: Sayanachatti/Yamunotri/Sayanachatti
Drive 14 km ,Trek: 7 kms. Morning start drive to reach to Jankichatti.From here start trek to reach Yamunotri (2 - 3 hrs) - one of the four most sacred Dhams. YAMUNOTRI DHAM: This 19th century temple built the Maharani of Jaipur has its legend to a sage named Asit who could'nt visit Gangotri due to old age but a source of the Ganga river emerged from a nearby rock and fulfilled his wishes. Thus the inner sanctum has a black marble idol of Goddess Yamuna. Outside the temple are hot springs of which Surya-Kund is considered to be the most sacred. Later trek down to reach Jankichatti (1 - hrs) and drive back to Sayanachatti for overnight stay.
Day 5: Sayanachatti/Uttarkashi:
Drive: 120 kms.Morning drive down to reach Uttarkashi. Upon arrival check in at Shikhar Nature Resort.In the evening visit Vishwanath Temple,Durga Temple etc.Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 6: Uttarkashi/Gangotri/Uttarkashi :
Drive: 95 kms. Morning drive to reach GANGOTRI - situated along the Bhagirathi river also know as river Ganges, Gangotri is yet another important Dham. GANGOTRI DHAM: The 18th century temple is a modest granite structure first built in the 18th century and rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur. Hindus believe that Goddess Ganga was brought down to earth by the mythological King Bhagirathi. Also the Ganga is believed to contain 'Amrit" - holy nectar which is said to cleanse one of all sins. Later drive back to reach Uttarkashi for overnight stay.
Day 7: Uttarkashi/Guptakashi :
Drive: 203 kms. Morning drive to reach Rudraprayag. Upon arrival, check in at the tourist bungalow. Rudraprayag is the meeting point of the Alaknanda river (originating from Badrinath) and the Mandakini river (originating from Kedarnath). Overnight stay at the tourist bungalow / hotel.
Day 8: Guptakashi/Gaurikund/Kedarnath:
Drive: 36 kms. Trek: 14 kms. Morning drive to reach Gaurikund.Arrive at Gaurikund which is the last road ahead and start trek to reach Kedarnath Temple - a journey that passes by deep ravines, waterfalls, tiny shrines and tea shops all through green forests. KEDARNATH DHAM: The 1000 year old temple with a carved exterior is located in a courtyard protected by Nandi bull. This spot has great significance in the legendary Mahabharata epic. Inside the main sanctum is one of the 12 naturally formed 'Jotrilingas' of India. The temple has carved shapes of the Pandavas, and Lord Shiva. Overnight stay at the tourist bungalow/ hotel.
Day 9: Kedarnath/Gaurikund/Rudraprayag:
Trek: 14kms. Drive: 70 kms: Morning trek back to Gaurikund and further drive down to Rudraprayag.Rudraprayag is the meeting point of the Alaknanda river (originating from Badrinath) and the Mandakini river (originating from Kedarnath). Upon arrival check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 10: Rudraprayag/Joshimath/Badrinath:
Drive: 160 kms. Morning drive to reach the fourth Dham i.e. Badrinath. Enroute drive past Joshimath, Govindghat and finally arrive at Badriath, a sprawling village divided by the river Alaknanda. This Dham is brightly painted. BADRINATH DHAM: It is believed that Lord Vishnu meditated in what Hindus call the 'Yogdhyani' posture. Due to the increase in the number of pilgrims, the temple has been enlarged overtime. The inner sanctum has a black stone idol of Vishnu sitting under a golden canopy. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 11: Badrinath/Joshimath :
Drive: 45 kms. Morning drive to Joshimath. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Later drive 16kms to visit Auli, one of India's best skiing resort, with all modern facilities. From Auli you can have a beautiful view of Mt. Nanda Devi. Return drive to Joshimath. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 12: Joshimath/Rishikesh :
Drive: 285 kms. Morning drive to reach Rishikesh. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 13: Rishikesh/Delhi:
Drive: 225 kms. Morning drive down to reach Delhi. Upon arrival in the afternoon, check in at the hotel for overnight stay at hotel.
Day 14: Delhi :
Depart Flight: Departure transfer to international airport in time to board the flight for onward destination.
Duration: 14 days
Activities: Yamunotri - Gangotri - Kedarnath - Badrinath
Best Time: May - October
Grade:
BADRINATH , KEDARNATH , YAMUNOTRI & GANGOTRI - these four shrines are amongst the holiest of Hindu temples and are collectively called CHAR DHAM which are nestled in the picturesque settings of the Himalayas. Each situated above 3000 mt. is important from a religious as well as for scenic point of view. Get the real perspective.
Day 1: Delhi - Flight:
Arrive Delhi. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Delhi/Haridwar/Rishikesh :
Drive: 225 kms. Morning after breakfast, drive to Rishikesh via Haridwar. Enroute visit Haridwar the sacred spot along the river Ganges where thousands of pilgrims come from all over India to take a holy dip. Later upon arrival at Rishikesh, check in at the hotel. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing of Rishikesh. Rishikesh is popularly know as a prime Yoga centre in India - the various ashrams located along the Ganges conduct some of the best Yoga meditation in India. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 3: Rishikesh/Sayanachatti:
Drive: 220 kms. Morning drive to reach Sayanachatti. Arrive around noon and check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 4: Sayanachatti/Yamunotri/Sayanachatti
Drive 14 km ,Trek: 7 kms. Morning start drive to reach to Jankichatti.From here start trek to reach Yamunotri (2 - 3 hrs) - one of the four most sacred Dhams. YAMUNOTRI DHAM: This 19th century temple built the Maharani of Jaipur has its legend to a sage named Asit who could'nt visit Gangotri due to old age but a source of the Ganga river emerged from a nearby rock and fulfilled his wishes. Thus the inner sanctum has a black marble idol of Goddess Yamuna. Outside the temple are hot springs of which Surya-Kund is considered to be the most sacred. Later trek down to reach Jankichatti (1 - hrs) and drive back to Sayanachatti for overnight stay.
Day 5: Sayanachatti/Uttarkashi:
Drive: 120 kms.Morning drive down to reach Uttarkashi. Upon arrival check in at Shikhar Nature Resort.In the evening visit Vishwanath Temple,Durga Temple etc.Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 6: Uttarkashi/Gangotri/Uttarkashi :
Drive: 95 kms. Morning drive to reach GANGOTRI - situated along the Bhagirathi river also know as river Ganges, Gangotri is yet another important Dham. GANGOTRI DHAM: The 18th century temple is a modest granite structure first built in the 18th century and rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur. Hindus believe that Goddess Ganga was brought down to earth by the mythological King Bhagirathi. Also the Ganga is believed to contain 'Amrit" - holy nectar which is said to cleanse one of all sins. Later drive back to reach Uttarkashi for overnight stay.
Day 7: Uttarkashi/Guptakashi :
Drive: 203 kms. Morning drive to reach Rudraprayag. Upon arrival, check in at the tourist bungalow. Rudraprayag is the meeting point of the Alaknanda river (originating from Badrinath) and the Mandakini river (originating from Kedarnath). Overnight stay at the tourist bungalow / hotel.
Day 8: Guptakashi/Gaurikund/Kedarnath:
Drive: 36 kms. Trek: 14 kms. Morning drive to reach Gaurikund.Arrive at Gaurikund which is the last road ahead and start trek to reach Kedarnath Temple - a journey that passes by deep ravines, waterfalls, tiny shrines and tea shops all through green forests. KEDARNATH DHAM: The 1000 year old temple with a carved exterior is located in a courtyard protected by Nandi bull. This spot has great significance in the legendary Mahabharata epic. Inside the main sanctum is one of the 12 naturally formed 'Jotrilingas' of India. The temple has carved shapes of the Pandavas, and Lord Shiva. Overnight stay at the tourist bungalow/ hotel.
Day 9: Kedarnath/Gaurikund/Rudraprayag:
Trek: 14kms. Drive: 70 kms: Morning trek back to Gaurikund and further drive down to Rudraprayag.Rudraprayag is the meeting point of the Alaknanda river (originating from Badrinath) and the Mandakini river (originating from Kedarnath). Upon arrival check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 10: Rudraprayag/Joshimath/Badrinath:
Drive: 160 kms. Morning drive to reach the fourth Dham i.e. Badrinath. Enroute drive past Joshimath, Govindghat and finally arrive at Badriath, a sprawling village divided by the river Alaknanda. This Dham is brightly painted. BADRINATH DHAM: It is believed that Lord Vishnu meditated in what Hindus call the 'Yogdhyani' posture. Due to the increase in the number of pilgrims, the temple has been enlarged overtime. The inner sanctum has a black stone idol of Vishnu sitting under a golden canopy. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 11: Badrinath/Joshimath :
Drive: 45 kms. Morning drive to Joshimath. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Later drive 16kms to visit Auli, one of India's best skiing resort, with all modern facilities. From Auli you can have a beautiful view of Mt. Nanda Devi. Return drive to Joshimath. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 12: Joshimath/Rishikesh :
Drive: 285 kms. Morning drive to reach Rishikesh. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 13: Rishikesh/Delhi:
Drive: 225 kms. Morning drive down to reach Delhi. Upon arrival in the afternoon, check in at the hotel for overnight stay at hotel.
Day 14: Delhi :
Depart Flight: Departure transfer to international airport in time to board the flight for onward destination.
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