Day by Day itineraryDay 1: Drive Delhi to Haridwar (220 km. in 5 hr.) The National Capital Region of Delhi, which shares close proximity with Badrinath and Kedarnath, is the starting point of your Badrinath Kedarnath Yatra tour. Our tour representative would pick up from New Delhi airport/railway station and the drive to Haridwar begins.
About Haridwar: Call it Haridwar (Gateway to Lord Vishnu) or Hardwar (Gateway to Lord Shiva), this holy town is one of River Ganga’s most pampered destinations to experience spirituality. Along with the nearby town of Rishikesh, it hails Ganga’s first appearance on the Great Northern Plains as the might river descends from Himalayas. There are temples (alongside river and on hilltops), ashrams, museums, ropeway rides and a wonderful opportunity to worship Ganga which is no less than a lucky charm before you embark on the actual journey.
On arrival, check in at the booked hotel and take rest. Later, you would visit Har ki Pauri, the sacred spot where few drops of amrit (holy nectar) fell, according to the Hindu mythology. Here, you can take a holy dip in Ganga, collect the sacred water in a container and attend the breathtaking Ganga aarti (timings around 06:00 p.m.; better to reach at least an hour in advance to grab a good spot). If time allows, you may visit some of the popular temples like Mansa Devi Temple and Chandi Devi Temple (located on a hill, accessible by ropeway; combined ticket of INR 257; ride available till 06:00 p.m.).
Get back to the hotel at night. Overnight stay at Haridwar.
Leave for Guptakashi in the early morning. You would be driving through the scenic towns of Devprayag, Srinagar and Rudraprayag, unveiling some heavenly vistas like river confluences, thick forests and mesmerizing views of the Himalayas.
About Guptkashi: As per the legend, it is the town where Shiva disappeared into the ground to avoid meeting the Pandavas after the bloodshed of Mahabharata. Located in the beautiful Mandakini Valley within the Kedar Khand (region which is home to five Shiva shrines, including Kedarnath), the place has its atmosphere filled with sweet fragrances of magnolia trees. The visitors are rendered speechless by the hypnotic views of Chaukhamba Peak from here.
On arrival, check in at the booked hotel and take rest. Later, you can visit the top attractions like Vishwanath Temple which resembles the world-famous temple by the same name in Varanasi. It is believed to be the place where Shiva proposed Parvati for wedding. Marnikarnika Kund, which is believed to be fed by two springs representing the holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna, is another attraction. Ardhanareeshwara Temple where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the half-man half-woman form along with Parvati is yet another must-visit place during Badrinath Kedarnath Yatra.
Finally return to your hotel for overnight stay.
Get up early in the morning and drive to Phata Helipad (timings would depend on the booking). Fly to Kedarnath Helipad from where you would walk for about 5-7 min. to reach the holy shrine.
About Kedarnath: Kedarnath is the place where hump of Lord Shiva (disguised as a bull) appeared from the ground after he eloped at Guptkashi while avoiding the Pandavas. It is also believed that Shiva married Parvati here. At the height of about 11,660 ft., the town boasts of heavenly grandeur with gigantic glaciers, pretty lakes, roaring cascades and sprawling meadows in the close vicinity of the main temple.
Visit the Kedarnath Temple which houses an ancient conical Shiva Lingam (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas) and idols of several Hindu deities and has River Mandakini flowing nearby. If time allows (and if you plan an overnight stay), you may visit other attractions like Bhairavnath Temple. It is dedicated to the fierce Bhairav form of Shiva, who is believed to protect the main temple. Another attraction is Gaurikund, a sacred pond with a hot water spring and a temple dedicated to Parvati. It is believed that Parvati performed penance here to please Shiva.
Board the helicopter back to Phata and drive back to Guptkashi for the night stay.
Start at the earliest from Guptkashi to reach Badrinath. You would be driving through the beautiful and thrilling ghat roads, with extraordinary visual treat unveiling at every inch.
About Badrinath: Badrinath, at the height of about 10,300 ft. is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu is meditating in the form of Nara and Narayana since time immemorial. It is also believed that the Pandavas, on their way to heaven, spent some time here. Resting near the divine River Alaknanda is the Badrinath Temple which houses a black idol of Vishnu. As per the belief, it is made of the shaligram stone found from Alaknanda. One can spend hours admiring the beauty of the sky-touching Neelkantha and other peaks.
On arrival, check in at the booked hotel and take some rest. Later, visit the temple for darshan and feel blessed. Overnight stay at Badrinath.
In the morning of the fifth day of Badrinath Kedarnath Yatra, you would visit the main temple once again and you may also attend the various rituals. Depending on the time available, you may visit other holy places like Tapt Kund. The hot spring water of the pond is believed to be divine as well as therapeutic and some devotees consider it auspicious to bath in it before entering the main shrine.
Another attraction is Narad Kund from where the stone used for Lord Vishnu’s idol is believed to have been recovered. Charan Paduka is the site where one can find on a rock the imprints believed to be of Lord Vishnu’s feet. The holy caves called Ganesh Gufa and Vyas Gufa are believed to be the places where the great epic Mahabharata was written.
You may also visit the village of Mana (the last Indian village near the international Indo-Tibetan boundary) which is about 4 km. away. On the way, you can stop at Bheema Pul, a natural bridge believed to have been formed by Bheema, the strongest of the Pandava brothers. Vasudhara Falls is a beautiful vista and it is believed that its water moves away from those with impure and sinful hearts.
Return to the hotel for the night stay.
Leave Badrinath to drive to Rudraprayag, one of the popular stops on Badrinath Kedarnath Yatra. You would again be passing through some of the lovely towns like Chamoli, Joshimath and Karanprayag.
About Rudraprayag:The place holds significance as it is the witness to the grand confluence between River Mandakini and River Alaknanda. Historically, the place earned fame when the famous author Jim Corbett hunted the man-eating leopard of Rudraprayag.
On arrival, check in at the booked hotel and take rest. Later, you may visit the sacred places like Rudranath Temple. It is believed to be the place where Narada learnt music from Rudra (a form of Lord Shiva). Koteshwar Mahadev Temple is yet another Shiva Temple. The interesting natural cave temple is believed to be the place where Shiva meditated for years. Finally, get back to the hotel for night stay.
As you descend further, drive to Rishikesh, a holy town which has gained international attention for more than one reason. On the way, you would have lunch at Srinagar and visit the town of Devprayag (only if the time allows). Devprayag is yet another holy town where River Alaknanda meets River Bhagirathi to finally form River Ganga.
About Rishikesh: The World Capital of Yoga, a celebrated rafting and adventure destination and home to a number of well-known ashrams, Rishikesh is one of the top tourist places in the whole of India. One can indulge in the activities like camping alongside Ganga, kayaking, trekking, rock climbing, flying fox and other daring adventures here.
On Arrival, check in at the booked hotel and take rest. Later, you may visit the interesting wooden bridge called Lakshmana Jhula, built over Ganga and named after Lakshmana from Ramayana. If time allows, visit temples or attend the evening aarti of Ganga. Spend night at the hotel.
The Badrinath Kedarnath Yatra reaches its final day as we drive you back to Delhi. The tour ends and you are free to plan further at your will.
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