Travel Tips for Char Dham Yatra Uttarakhand

‘Chardhams’ nestled in the lap of the mighty Himalayas in the Uttarakhand region are often looked upon as the true abode of God. If you want to bask in the spiritual splendor of the Chardhams and wash away your earthly sins, making a yatra to the Chardhams is of utmost importance. However, the course is rugged and the yatra isn’t easy. This article on Chardham Yatra travel tips will give you sufficient guidelines. Read on.

Chardham Yatra (popularly known as Chota Chardham Yatra) of Uttarakhand is considered one of the most enthralling undertakings through the rugged Himalayan mountains. This has tremendous religious significance to every devout Hindu as it is believed that paying homage to these religious shrines would help you get rid of all your sins and attain salvation. The Chardham Yatra includes a visit to the following places:

• Gangotri - The place where the river Ganga is worshipped
• Yamunotri - The place where the river Yamuna is worshipped
• Kedarnath – The place where Lord Shiva is worshipped
• Badrinath – The place where Lord Vishnu is worshipped

The journey through the Garhwal Himalayas, as a part of the Char Dham Yatra, is extremely exhausting and daring. Despite all these adversities, the enormous religious significance of the place urges thousands of devotees every year to travel to these holy shrines.

If you are one of those who is set to begin the Chardham Yatra here’s a quick guide that you may want to refer to, before you start your journey.

Char Dham Yatra – the Do’s and Don’ts

1. The shrines are open to common people from the months of May to October. During the other six months of the year, the place becomes inaccessible owing primarily to heavy snowfall. So it is always essential to plan your trip during this time of the year (May-Oct). September is the best season to visit as during this time rainy season ends and the scenic beauty of the valley manifolds after getting bathed in the rain.
2. If you are opting for a family trip it is advisable to hire a professional travel guide who would be there with you throughout the tour. A travel guide would help you get rid of the problems of finding accommodation, eating joints and other essential services.
3. Carry enough woolen clothes with you which would help you protect yourself from the chilling weather. Women should avoid wearing sarees or dupattas and go for comparatively body-hugging clothes.
4. Do not carry heavy luggage with you since moving through those rugged terrains become all the more difficult with that heavy baggage. Carry only the fundamental stuff with you during the yatra. Rest, you leave at your hotel.
5. Do not forget to remove your shoes and cover your head with a cloth before entering any temple. This is a part of the Hindu culture.
6. If you are traveling during the monsoon, carry umbrellas and raincoats, and waterproof shoes with you. Also, carry moisturizers with you since it's most likely that the dry, chilly climate is going to take a toll on your skin.
7. During your trek, carry a sufficient amount of dry fruits, biscuits, cakes, candies or chocolates, etc with you. Chocolates serve as instant energizers thus helping you not to lose grip while climbing uphill. Drink enough water.
8. Apart from your regular medicines (if any) carry general medicines with you like medicines for fever, cold, painkillers, acidity, dehydration, etc. Also, it's advisable that you go for a medical checkup prior to the tour and take an opinion from your physician before heading for the tour. Cardiac patients, old and elderly people, and children below 6 years shouldn’t opt for the trip.
9. Keep some first aid items handy as well in order to take care of cuts and bruises.
10. Take the torch with you along with extra batteries. Keep extra batteries for your camera as well. There’s electricity scarcity in certain remote areas.
11. Don’t speed up during trekking or engage yourself in any fun race with peers or fellow travelers. Trek slowly. The routes are extremely challenging, there’s enough life risk if you indulge yourself in such dangerous acts. Also, don’t try to overtake any passing vehicle.
12. Do not relax at places where warning signs are placed.
13. Don’t continue your journey after sunset.
14. Obey the traffic rules strictly.

Alcohol and non-vegetarian foods are prohibited during Char Dham Yatra. Keep this in mind. Also, do not do anything that would hurt the sentiment of the local people such as playing loud Western music, wearing vulgar outfits, and so on.