Char Dham

The Char Dham of Uttarakhand — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath — is the most demanding pilgrimage most Indian families will attempt, and for many the most rewarding. Four shrines high in the Garhwal Himalaya, open only for part of the year, reached by mountain roads and two serious treks.

The four dhams

Yamunotri

Source of the Yamuna, at roughly 3,290 metres. The final approach is a steep trek of five to six kilometres from Janki Chatti; ponies and palanquins are available. The thermal spring at Surya Kund, where rice is traditionally cooked as prasad, is a highlight.

Gangotri

Source of the Ganga, at about 3,100 metres, and the only dham with road access right to the temple. The Bhagirathi here is startlingly clear and cold.

Kedarnath

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, at roughly 3,580 metres. The trek from Gaurikund is sixteen to eighteen kilometres and takes most pilgrims six to eight hours upward. Helicopter services operate from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi in season.

Badrinath

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, at about 3,130 metres, with road access to the temple. Mana village — the last village before the Tibet border — and the Vasudhara falls are worth the extra half day.

Season

The temples open around Akshaya Tritiya (late April or early May) and close around Bhai Dooj after Diwali. Exact dates are announced each year by the temple committees. May and June are peak; the monsoon brings landslides and closures; late September to closing offers clear skies and thinner crowds.

Registration

Uttarakhand requires every Char Dham pilgrim to register before travelling, through the state government’s tourist care portal, with offline counters at Haridwar and Rishikesh. Requirements and daily darshan caps have changed several times in recent years — confirm the current process close to your travel date, and keep your confirmation accessible offline as connectivity is unreliable.

Health and altitude

All four dhams sit above 3,000 metres. Acclimatise rather than driving straight up from the plains, know the symptoms of altitude sickness, and get a medical check first if you are over 55 or manage a cardiac, respiratory, diabetic or blood-pressure condition. Health check posts operate along the Kedarnath route during the season — use them.

How long it takes

Ten to twelve days for all four dhams from Haridwar, with at least one spare day for weather. Do Dham — Kedarnath and Badrinath — covers the two most visited shrines in roughly half that. Anything shorter means helicopters or a punishing schedule.

What to pack

• Warm layers and a proper jacket — nights are cold even in June.
• A waterproof outer layer and a small umbrella.
• Broken-in trekking shoes with grip, and a walking stick.
• Power bank, torch and offline copies of your registration and ID.
• Basic first aid, ORS and any regular medication in sufficient quantity.
• Cash — ATMs are scarce beyond the main towns.