General Information on Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand
These temples of the Chardham Yatra are located in Dev Bhoomi which means the land of Gods nestled in the adobe of the Himalayas. The four temples are bound closely to the old mythology and spirituality. The regular 4 dham tours are offered in the places of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally the Badrinath tour, the belief-marked route.
Yamunotri : The initial place to visit during the 4 Dham Yatra is the divine shrine of Yamuna Temple – the river goddess – at Yamunotri. This has been attested by Hindu mythology as a river that could be used to gain salvation and to wash sins off. Sitting at the foot of Kalind Parvat (mountain) is the temple where thousands of devotees of goddess Yamuna come each year.
Gangotri : The second shrine in the Char Dham Yatra has a history associated with the Goddess Ganga whom people know as the river originating from the Gaumukh glacier. According to the mythology, Ganga from heaven had descended to earth to cleanse the souls of the ancestors of King Bhagirath, in this place called Gangotri. According to the Hindu culture, it is considered rightful to sink oneself into the river Ganga to wash off your sins.
Kedarnath : Then comes Kedarnath which is again a temple of Lord Shiva. The ancient temple of Kedarnath is located at an altitude of 3,584 meters (11,759 feet) which is nestled in snow clad peak. The myth and folk stories also tell that Lord Shiva himself also used to come to this place in the form of pinda (lingam). Among all these sites, it is considered that the pilgrimage to Kedarnath is one of the major callings of the Hindus.
Badrinath : The final leg is again associated with Lord Vishnu – the ‘conservator’ of the universe, popularly called Badrinarayan. This Badrinath temple is constructed on the banks of the river Alaknanda and possesses a surprisingly high altitude of 3133m above sea level, surrounded by mountains from all sides. It is a fascinating destination, which goes to a famous legend: Lord Vishnu, meditated here to save the world from destruction.
Best Time for Chardham Yatra
There are two suitable times to make 4 Dham Yatra; early summer that is April to June and then during the months of September to November.
April to June (Summer Season)
The best time to carry out the Char Dham Yatra is during the summer season from April up to June. In this period, the temperatures are relatively low, the skies are clear meaning that the journey is made comfortable. For the devotees traveling from Bhopal, this season is perfect to do the ‘Chardham Yatra’ without much difficulty and be elated at the fact of being in the spiritually divine Himalayan region. They can sometimes easily transit from the hot region of their city to the cooler region of the Himalayas. During this time, families with children can visit it with ease during the summer vacations of the schools.
July to August (Monsoon Season)
The 4 Dham Yatra, however, is not preferred between July and August, because these two are the monsoon months and the mountainous regions receive plenty of rainfall. They also disrupt roadways through landslides, floods, and road blockage hence moving during the rains is very risky. The weather conditions during this time still fluctuate a lot and are unstable. Therefore it is recommended that the devotees from Bhopal and other areas do not undertake pilgrimage during these months for their own best interest.
Even if you set out for the pilgrimage during this time, make sure to constantly check the real-time weather updates and plan the trip accordingly.
September to November (Post-Monsoon Season)
Between September to mid of November, after the monsoon, the Chardham Yatra also becomes the best time to visit the Char Dham temples. The climate is clear and cool, and the clean air together with favorable temperatures make the journey more exciting. This becomes the ideal time environment for Bhopal pilgrims relishing the gorgeous post-monsoon time as among the best times to visit the Char Dham shrines.
Why is Haridwar the Best Place to Start the Char Dham Yatra
It is closely associated with the religious belief of the entire Char Dham Yatra and also because it is not very difficult to reach from any part of the country, including Bhopal. The tour of the Pilgrims starts with Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, therefore the yatra is spiritually purifying and divine. The facilities of travelling, lodging, transportation, and other requisites make Haridwar an ideal Mount for the Yatra.
How to Reach Haridwar from Bhopal : Train and Air Options
Train Journey from Bhopal to Haridwar for Chardham Yatra
For those who prefer train travel, several convenient options are available:
- Ujjaini Express (Train No 14310) : Originates from Bhopal and takes about 18-19 hours to reach Haridwar.
- Nanda Devi Express (Train No 12401) : There is another direct train available between this route, it takes about 20 hours to reach.
Travel Duration and Amenities : Train travels are affordable and are just a fascinating journey for the pilgrims. During this long journey, it is advised to choose an AC coach to be comfortable.
Booking and Availability: Tickets are in demand during the Char Dham season which is from April to June, another season is from September to November. If possible one should try to get a reservation at least a month in advance either through IRCTC or through any railway booking site which is approved by IRCTC.
Air Travel : From Bhopal to Dehradun via Delhi
Those who would wish to use airlines can book to Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport which is only 50 kilometres away from Haridwar. As there are still no direct flights from Bhopal to Dehradun the majority of passengers opt for the transit through Delhi.
- Transfers from Dehradun to Haridwar : The journey from Dehradun to Haridwar is about 1 hour to 1.5 hours by taxis, buses, or pre-booked transports.
- Booking Tips : Better buys in Char Dham season are the tickets, if you have managed to get them in advance.
Alternative Air Route : From Bhopal to Haridwar
Passengers can fly daily from the Raja Bhoj Airport (BHO) of Bhopal to the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi. From Delhi, pilgrims can reach Haridwar by:
- Train : There is the Dehradun Shatabdi Express that takes between 4- 5 hours.
- Car : Taxi or private car (5 – 6 hours).
Char Dham Yatra Tour Packages
To ease the pilgrimage there are Char Dham Yatra packages from Bhopal such as traveling, accommodation, meals and feeding and 4 dham tour packages. Here are some options:
Duration : 8 Nights / 9 Days
The tour includes all the four ‘Dhams’ in a comprehensive way.
Duration : 9 Nights / 10 Days
It offers a 4 dham packaged tour layout to visit important places for cheap costs.
Duration : 4 Nights / 5 Days
It was designed for short trips to only the two major shrines.
Duration : 2 Nights / 3 Days
Ideal for utilization if you have limited time only and financial stability.
Duration : 4 Nights / 5 Days
Helicopter transport services with elegance and luxury accommodation with fine facilities.
Why it is Advantageous to Book Chardham Packages Online
To the people who are planning to kick start the Four Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand journey from Bhopal, opting for a package tour for a pilgrimage like 4 Dham Yatra comes in handy in several ways. Of course, it lightens the journey since it has also the needs of meeting and movement, meals, and accommodation and most travelers prefer packaged organized tours including guided tours. When the Itineraries are systematically developed and packaged all four Dhams are covered while none of the Dham is left out and even weather and road factors are well addressed. Besides, packages also satisfy different needs so that people with low-budget or premium chardham helicopter tours will also be available for the travelers to have their choices based on their wishes and available time.
The time used to contact travel agencies to deal with and purchase tour packages, and time that would have been spent researching other packages and comparing, you can compare prices with several companies relatively conveniently on the internet, and track your secure transactions.
Conclusion
Char Dham Yatra to pilgrims from Bhopal is a kind of belief system, which empowers them to connect their spirits with roots as well as destination. Located in the city of Bhopal thus is a strong belief of devotees who undertake the journey to these temples to seek blessings, and most importantly to feel the presence of the gods.
