The Chardham Yatra is one of the most important pilgrimage tours for Hindus. It comprises a journey to four sacred shrines located in the state of Uttarakhand, namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Each of these shrines has great spiritual significance and is associated with various legends and myths. The yatra usually begins in April or May and concludes in October or November.
The duration of the Chardham Yatra can vary depending on various factors such as the mode of transportation, the time spent at each shrine, and the route taken. Generally, the Chardham Yatra can take anywhere between 10 to 15 days to complete. However, it is important to note that the journey can be physically and mentally challenging due to the high altitude, rough terrain, and unpredictable weather conditions.
Here is a breakdown of the time required to visit each of the four shrines:
- Yamunotri: Yamunotri is located at an altitude of 3,293 meters and is accessible by a trek of 6 kilometres from the nearest town, Hanuman Chatti. The trek takes around 4-5 hours to complete, and it is advisable to spend a day or two in the town to acclimatize to the altitude. Therefore, a total of 2-3 days is required for the Yamunotri leg of the yatra.
- Gangotri: Gangotri is located at an altitude of 3,042 meters and is accessible by road from the nearest town, Uttarkashi. The journey takes around 4-5 hours to complete, and it is advisable to spend a day or two in the town to acclimatize to the altitude. Therefore, a total of 2-3 days is required for the Gangotri leg of the yatra.
- Kedarnath: Kedarnath is located at an altitude of 3,583 meters and is accessible by a trek of 16 kilometres from the nearest town, Gaurikund. The trek takes around 6-7 hours to complete, and it is advisable to spend a day or two in the town to acclimatize to the altitude. Therefore, a total of 3-4 days is required for the Kedarnath leg of the yatra.
- Badrinath: Badrinath is located at an altitude of 3,133 meters and is accessible by road from the nearest town, Joshimath. The journey takes around 3-4 hours to complete, and it is advisable to spend a day or two in the town to acclimatize to the altitude. Therefore, a total of 2-3 days is required for the Badrinath leg of the yatra.
In addition to the time required for visiting the four shrines, it is important to factor in the time required for travelling between the towns and shrines. The roads in Uttarakhand can be narrow and winding, which can lead to travel delays. Therefore, it is advisable to keep some buffer time for unforeseen circumstances.
