Char Dham Yatra 2026 — All 4 Dhams, Itinerary & Guide

What is the Char Dham?

The term "Char Dham" (literally "four abodes") refers to two different pilgrimage circuits in Hindu tradition. The first — the pan-India Char Dham — comprises four shrines at the four corners of India: Badrinath (north), Dwarka (west), Rameswaram (south), and Puri (east). This circuit was formalised by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.

The second and more commonly discussed in the context of Uttarakhand is the Chota Char Dham (Small Char Dham) — four shrines located within the Garhwal Himalayas. This is what most people mean when they say "Char Dham Yatra" in the context of Uttarakhand:

1. Yamunotri — Source of the Yamuna river (3,293m)
2. Gangotri — Source of the Ganga river (3,048m)
3. Kedarnath — Shiva Jyotirlinga (3,583m)
4. Badrinath — Vishnu shrine (3,133m)

The traditional route follows a west-to-east direction, starting at Yamunotri and ending at Badrinath. All four shrines are located in the Uttarakhand Himalayas and are accessible only during the summer pilgrimage season (May–November).

Since 2024, online registration is mandatory for all four Char Dham shrines. A single registration on the official Uttarakhand Tourism portal covers all four destinations if you are doing the complete circuit.

The Four Dhams at a Glance

Yamunotri — First Dham

Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna river and the first stop on the traditional Char Dham circuit. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is located at 3,293 metres in the Uttarkashi district. The nearest road point is Janki Chatti (also accessible from Hanuman Chatti or Phoolchatti), from which a 6-km trek leads to the temple.

The highlight of Yamunotri is the Surya Kund — a boiling hot water spring near the temple where pilgrims cook rice (wrapped in cloth) and take it back as prasad. The thermal spring is considered the actual source of the Yamuna, as the true glacial source (Champasar glacier, 3 km above the temple at 4,421m) is not accessible to most pilgrims.

Yamunotri temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya (same day as Gangotri) and closes on Yama Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj). The trek to Yamunotri is shorter and less physically demanding than Kedarnath, making it a gentler start to the Char Dham circuit.

Gangotri — Second Dham

Gangotri is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and marks the mythological origin of the sacred river. The temple is located at 3,048 metres and is one of the few Char Dham shrines accessible directly by road — no trek is required to reach the temple itself. This makes Gangotri the most accessible of the four dhams.

The actual glacial source of the Ganga, Gaumukh (the "cow's mouth"), is located 19 km from Gangotri town at 4,023 metres. The Gaumukh glacier trek is one of the most celebrated high-altitude treks in India and is often undertaken as an extension of the Gangotri visit. A separate permit is required for the Gaumukh trek.

Gangotri opens on Akshaya Tritiya (same as Yamunotri) and closes on Diwali. The town has ample accommodation and is a comfortable base for acclimatisation before proceeding to the more demanding Kedarnath.

Kedarnath — Third Dham

Kedarnath is the most physically demanding and spiritually significant stop on the Char Dham circuit. At 3,583 metres, it is the highest of the four dhams and requires either a 16-km trek from Gaurikund or a helicopter flight. It is the only Jyotirlinga among the four Char Dhams, giving it special significance for Shiva devotees.

The temple's mythology (the Pandava connection, Adi Shankaracharya's samadhi here), its extraordinary architecture, and its dramatic mountain setting make it the emotional and spiritual high point of the Char Dham journey for most pilgrims. Many report that the Kedarnath darshan has a profound, transformative effect that the more accessible shrines do not match.

Allow at least 2 nights at Kedarnath within your itinerary — one night to rest after the uphill trek, darshan the next morning, and departure on day 3. Rushing the Kedarnath visit is a common mistake that leaves pilgrims exhausted and dissatisfied.

Badrinath — Fourth Dham

Badrinath is the final and in many ways the most grand of the four dhams. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his meditating form as Badrinarayan, the temple sits at 3,133 metres in the Chamoli district and is accessible by road (making it, like Gangotri, accessible to those who cannot trek). The bright multi-coloured facade of the Badrinath temple — unusual for a Himalayan shrine — is immediately recognisable.

Badrinath town is larger and more developed than Kedarnath, with better accommodation options and facilities. The Tapt Kund hot springs adjacent to the temple are used by pilgrims for ritual bathing before darshan. The Mana village (3 km beyond Badrinath) is considered the last inhabited Indian village before the Tibetan border and has strong Mahabharata associations.

Badrinath opens typically one day after Kedarnath (on Akshaya Tritiya) and closes around Diwali. The closing ceremony at Badrinath is particularly elaborate, involving the lighting of an eternal lamp (Akhand Jyoti) that burns through the winter while the temple is closed.

Suggested 12-Day Char Dham Itinerary

* This is a suggested itinerary. Build in buffer days for weather delays, especially around Kedarnath.

Char Dham Planning Tips

• Register early: Online registration for all four dhams opens in February–March. Kedarnath slots fill fastest.
• Acclimatise before Kedarnath: If coming from sea level, spending a day in Rishikesh or Haridwar (300–400m) before ascending helps. The 2 nights in Gangotri (3,048m) also serve as acclimatisation before Kedarnath (3,583m).
• Don't rush Kedarnath: Kedarnath deserves at least 2 nights. Most of the health emergencies on the circuit happen when pilgrims rush the Kedarnath portion.
• Weather buffer: Build at least 1–2 extra days into your itinerary. Weather can delay helicopter services and occasionally closes the Kedarnath route temporarily.
• Physical preparation: Begin walking 3–5 km daily 4–6 weeks before the trip if you plan to trek to Kedarnath. The 16-km uphill trek is strenuous for those unaccustomed to it.
• Solo travel: Women and elderly pilgrims regularly complete the Char Dham circuit solo — but inform family of your itinerary and carry emergency contacts.