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Chardham Yatra
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YAMUNOTRI (The sacred Jewel of Himalayas) ............................................
 The first stopover for the Chardham Yatra is the westernmost shrine of Yamunotri in the Garhwal Himalayas.Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, it isperched atop a flank of the Bandar Poonchh peak (3,165 mts. above sea level) and is situated opposite to Gangotri. The shrine attracts devotees in large numbers from April to November. Yamunotri is the source of the revered river Yamuna which originates from the Champasar Glacier lying 1 km ahead ofthe shrine, at an altitude of 4,421 mts . Pilgrims do not frequently visit thesource of the river as it is not easily accessible.
Yamunotri finds a special mention in the Hindu mythology. According to a legend, this secluded hilly spot was the home of an ancient sage, AsitMuni. Among the major attractions of Yamunotri are hot water springs nearby. Devotees prepare rice and potatoes to offer at the shrine, by dipping them in these hot water springs, tied in muslin cloth. The trek to Yamunotri is spectacular, dom inated by a panorama of rugged peaks and dense forests.
HOW TO GET THERE
Airport: Jolly Grant, 196 Kms.from Yamunotri via Dehradun
Railhead: Rishikesh, 219 Kms. &Dehradun, 172 Kms.
Road: Dharasu, 107 Kms.Tehri, 149 Kms.Rishikesh, 213 Kms.& Dehradun, 172 Kms.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Altitude: 3,165 Mts.
Climate Summer: Cool during the day and cool at night
Climate Winter: Snow bound, Touching, sub-zero.
Clothing :April to July: Light woollens
Clothing :Sep to Nov: Heavy woollens
Language: Hindi, Garhwali & English
GANGOTRI (The eternal Gift of Bhagirath's penance) ............................................
 The picture sque pilgrimage in the hinter lands of the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life,touched earth forthe first time. According to mythology, Goddess Ganga- the daughter of heaven, manifested herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath'spredecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received Ganga into his matted locks to minimise the immense impact of her fall. Shecame to be called Bhagirathiat her legendarysource. Along the right bank of Bhagirathi stands the shrine of Gangotri dedicated to the Goddess. Perched at a height of 3140 mtrs., it was constructed in the early 18th century by a Gorkha Commander, Amar Singh Thapa.
Every year, lakhs of pilgrims throng the sacred temple between April and Novmber. ByNovember end, Gangotri is covered by snow. It is believed that the Goddess retreats to Mukhba, her winter abode (12 Kms. downstream). The physical source of the holy river is at Gaumukh, 19 Kms.further uphill, along the Gangotri Glacier. Several pilgrims trek upto the source to offer prayers either on foot or on ponies. The verdant valleys, dense forests and towering peaks offer excellent trekking and mountaineering opportunities for adventure enthusiasts.
HOW TO GET THERE
Airport: Jolly Grant Dehradun, 266 Kms.
Railhead: Rishikesh, 249 Kms.
Road: Well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar,Dehradun and Delhi Important Road Distances from Gangotri: Dharasu (129 Kms.), Yamunotri (224 Kms.)Mussoorie (247 Kms.), Tehri (172 Kms.), Ullarkashi (94 Kms.)..
GENERAL INFORMATION
Altitude: 3,140 Mts.
Climate Summer: Cool during the day and cool at night
Climate Winter: Snow bound, Touching, sub-zero.
Clothing :April to July: Light woollens
Clothing :Sep to Nov: Heavy woollens
Language: Hindi, Garhwali & English
KEDARNATH (The celestial Jyortirlingam) ............................................
 Amidst the mountain scapes of the majestic Kedarnath range stands one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' of Kedar or Lord Shiva. Lyingat an altitude of 3,581 mts. above sea level on the head of river Mandakini, the shrine of Kedarnath is amongst the hol iest piIgrimage for the Hindus. The origin of the revered temple can be found in the greatepic, Mahabharata.
According to legend, the Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord Shiva to atone their sins after the battle of Mahabharata. Lord Shiva eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed, Lord Shiva dived into the ground, leaving behind HIS hump on the surface. This conical protrusion is worshipped as the idol on the shrine. The remaining portions of LordShiva are worshipped at four places - the arms (bahu)at Tungnath, mouth (mukha) at Rudranath, naval (nabhi) at Madmaheshwar and hair (jata) at Kalpeshwar. Together with Kedarnath, these places are known as the Panch Kedar.
The lingam at Kedarnath is pyramidal, unlike its usual form. Astatue of Nandi -the celestial bull stands at the entrance of the temple and exquisitely carved image adorn the interiors ofthe temple. During the winters, the shrine issubmerged in snow and hence is closed. The ideal time to visit is between April to November. One can reach Kedarnath through a 14 kms. long trek from Gaurikund. At Kedarnathpassengerswould get assistancefrom GMVN/ PHHL which would guide them for PriorityOarshanete. As Kedarnathis situated at high Altitude few passengers may require Oxygen, which isavailable at Kedarnath.
HOW TO GET THERE
Airport: Jolly Grant Dehradun, 246 Kms.
Railhead: Rishikesh (299 Kms.), Kotdwar (260 Kms.)
Road:Approachable on foot (14 Kms.) from Gaurikund, which is connected by road 10 Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Dehradun, Haridwar and other important hill stations of Garhwal and kumaon region
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area :3 Sq Kms.
Climate Summer: April-Aug. Cool during the day and cold at night.
Climate Winter: Sep. to Nov. cold during the day and chilly at night.
Rainfall: 1,475 mm.
Clothing :April to July: Light woollens
Clothing :Sep to Nov: Heavy woollens
Language: Hindi, Garhwali & English
BADRINATH (Abode of Lard Vishnu) ............................................
 Cradled in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest of the four main shrines, Badrinath along the right bank of the river Alaknada. With the splendid Neelkanth mountains as the backdrop, it is an important destination on the sacred itinerary of every devout Hindu. Once the spot was carpeted with 'badris' or wi Id berries and hence was famous as 'Badri Van'.
The revered shrine is still alive with myriad legends from mythology. Its sanctity is emphasised in the ancient scriptures as "There are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the nether world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be". Legend has it, when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help the suffering humanity, the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent.Therefore, the mighty Ganga was split into twelve holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of LordVishnu or Badrinath.
The temple of Shri Badrinathji on the bank ofthe Alaknanda river, dates back to the Vedic times. Situated at an altitude of 3,133 mts., the present temple is believed to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya - an 8th century's philosopher-saintw, ho also establisheda 'Math' here.Alsoknownas 'Vishal Badri', Badrinath is one of the Panch Badris.The temple remains closed during the winter season and is open from April-May to October November.
HOW TO GET THERE
Airport: Jolly Grant Dehradun, 317 Kms.
Railhead: Rishikesh (300 Kms.), Kotdwar (327 Kms.)
Road:Well connected to Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Dehradun, Haridwar and other important hill stations of Garhwal and kumaon region
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area :3 Sq Kms.
Climate Summer: April-Aug. Cool during the day and cold at night.
Climate Winter: Sep. to Nov. cold during the day and chilly at night.
Rainfall: 1,475 mm.
Clothing :April to July: Light woollens
Clothing :Sep to Nov: Heavy woollens
Language: Hindi, Garhwali & English
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