Chardham in Rishikesh
· Summer: March-June (21°C - 42°C)
· Winter: October-March (5°C - 26°C)
· Monsoon: July-September
Best time to visit:
April-November
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Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, one of the most popular Hindu religious journeys, begins at Rishikesh (in Uttarakhand), the holy city from where River Ganga enters the plains. Four destinations of the circuit are Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Goddess Ganga and Goddess Yamuna respectively. Also known as Chota Char Dham Yatra, the journey is believed to remove all sorrows and sins of the pilgrims.
Each of the four destinations has extremely picturesque natural splendour to its credit. Snow-topped mountains, luxuriant greenery, crystal clear rivers and streams and sprawling valleys are sure to spellbind every visitor. There is great quotient of spirituality in the environment and one can feel connected to the divine.
Uttarakhand government and many affluent devotees ensure that the pilgrims enjoy facilities like accommodations, food and assistance. Char Dham Yatra begins at the April end and continues till November beginning. For the rest of the year, heavy snowfall makes each of the destinations inaccessible. Tourists must obtain useful information about weather conditions and things to pack for this trip.
Connectivites
Road:
Routes from Rishikesh to all four destinations of Char Dham pilgrimage are hill roads meandering through valleys, forested hills and alongside mighty rivers. To reach the shrines at Kedarnath and Yamunotri, one must cover strenuous treks of few km. Ponies are also available for covering these distances.
Railway:
Rishikesh is the nearest railway station with excellent rail connectivity to all parts of India. From there, one may hire taxis or board buses to complete the Char Dham yatra.
Airway:
Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun is only about 21 km. from Rishikesh. Taxis can be hired from the airport for the complete Char Dham journey.