The most celebrated expedition and the most acclaimed sacred journey amidst the arduous Himalayan Valleys, Char Dham Yatra is believed to be one of the toughest and the most challenging pilgrimage in India as the four holy abodes of the pilgrimage circuit are located at the extreme locations in the Himalayas. The divine Yatra comprises visiting Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri where all four are located in the four different directions in the state and each holding a myriad of legends. Being open for a limited number of months the pilgrimage witnesses a huge crowd and so preparing in advance is a wise decision as it makes you’re the journey less tiresome and also hassles free.
Scroll down the page and read out some of the most essential tips which one must follow while or before commencing the Yatra;
1- What is the Best Time to Plan Your Yatra?
This is the very first thing which you must think before performing this auspicious Yatra. Select the best time according to your suitability and within the limited opening time of the Yatra as the shrines are closed during the winter season. The peak season of this Yatra continues from September to the first week of November as June- August witness heavy rainfall in the region which makes the Yatra a bit challenging and time consuming as the road gets blocked due to the devastating landslides. September is the most ideal time to plan your yatra as the ambiance of the valleys seems so refreshing, refined, and new.
2- How to Grab the Best Package Deal?
Being a heavily visited and the most acclaimed Hindu pilgrimage in India, it has become quite difficult for a pilgrim to plan their yatra individually and this is why they are seeking the guidance of tour operators. There is a good number of tour operators providing some of the best and customized deals for the pilgrims by designing various tour packages and are giving tough competition to each other. This is why you are advised to cross-check the deal which you are opting for so that you won’t regret afterward.
3- How Much Does Physical Fitness Matter for the Yatra?
As stated above in the article, one needs to be physically as well as mentally fit to cover this auspicious journey. People suffering from certain illness or sickness including fear of height, heart disease, asthma, high blood pressure, and any other prolonged illness are advised not to cover the journey. And this is why submission of a health certificate is compulsory for those who are planning to visit Char Dham. Also, a physically fit person is also advised to start practicing for at least a 15-minute walk on a regular basis.
4- What Kinds of Problem are You Going to Face While Covering the Yatra?
Being located on insane locations amidst the mountainous trains and steep slopes, it is not so easy to access the holy abodes and you might encounter some of the issues including acrophobia, and also the issue of acclimatization to adapt in the new environment. So, one suffering from such a situation are advised to consult a doctor prior to the journey. Also, do carry a first aid kit which must contain some really necessary things like a thermometer, cold cream, sunscreen lotion, band-aids, adhesive rolls, balm for curing the joint pains, etc.
5- Why Advance Booking is Necessary?
As stated above in the post and most of you are already aware that the Yatra cannot be commenced all throughout the year as the shrines are closed for half a year and this is why the pilgrimage witnesses a huge crowd when it is opened. If you want to accomplish your dream of visiting Char Dham without any hassle then you must plan everything in advance to make it a complete successful spiritual journey. Especially, if you are visiting the Dhams during the peak season and you have not booked a hotel in advance then sorry to say but you will have to face a lot of problem in accommodation and you might not get the place what you wish for.
6- Stay Updated with the Recent Weather Conditions of the Pilgrimage
There is no consistency in the weather and the climatic condition of the regions and it changes often. So, it is quite important to check the weather updates before covering the spiritual yatra or else be ready to get stuck in between the Yatra. To stay updated with the weather condition you can seek the help of a local guide or can also check it online. Do check the recent updates of Char Dham Yatra.
7- How to Reach Char Dham Easily?
It is not very difficult to cover this divine journey as the shrines are well-connected with each other through the motorable roads. Days had gone a long back when pilgrims used to think a lot about the challenging Yatra on barefoot but now it has become quite easy to access the pilgrimages as now you can cover Char Dham Yatra by helicopter also. Helicopter services had not only made the yatra easy and convenient but also had made it less time-consuming.
- By Air– Helicopters and small private planes land at the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is the nearest airport to the Dhams of the circuit.
- By Rail– Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kotdwar, and Dehradun are the nearest railheads to the destination from where you can take a bus or a taxi for the further journey.
- By Road– All the four Dhams are well-connected with each other via motorable roads.