CHARDHAM YATRA EX-HARIDWAR

ITINERARY-:

DAY 01: HARIDWAR - BARKOT (220KMS/7HR)

Welcome to Chardham yatra. Arrival at Haridwar & meet by Travel Murti executive and drive to Barkot via Mussoorie. Enroute visit Kempty Fall and others, later drive to Barkot. On arrival check into hotel & overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 02: BARKOT - YAMUNOTRI - BARKOT {36KMS DRIVE & 6KMS TREK (ONE SIDE)}

Morning after breakfast drive to Hanuman Chatti, for Jankichatti (it helps to reduce the trek upto 8 kms), trek starts from here to Yamunotri (6 kms). Either by walk or by horse or by doli at own cost. Arrive Yamunotri, one can cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the hot kund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as "Prasad". Here near the temple, "Pooja" can be offered to Divya Shila, after taking bath in Jamunabai Kund's warm water and having "Darshan" of pious "Yamunaji", return to Hanumanchatti. Later drive back to Barkot. Overnight stay at hotel.

Hanuman Chatti: The confluence of Hanuman Ganga & Yamuna River.

Yamunotri Temple: Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again.

Surya Kund: There are a number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple, which flow into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund.

Divya Shila: A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple.

DAY 03: BARKOT - UTTARKASHI (100KMS/4HR)

Morning after breakfast drive to Uttarkashi. On arrival check into hotel. After refreshment visit Vishwanath Temple. Later back to hotel & overnight stay at hotel.

Vishwanath Temple: Situated at the bank of river Bhagirathi. The temple of Lord Vishwanath is located here where a massive iron trident is erected.

DAY 04: UTTARKASHI - GANGOTRI - UTTARKASHI (100KMS/3HR EACH SIDE)

Morning after breakfast we proceed to Gangotri (3048 mts), enroute we enjoy picturesque Harsil village, Bhagirathi River and the most magnificent view of the Himalayas. After Gangotri darshan we return to Uttarkashi. Overnight stay at hotel in Uttarkashi.

Gangotri Temple: The temple, constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th Century, is situated on the right bank of Bhagirathi.

Submerged Shivling: Submerged in the river, this natural rock Shivling is the place where, according to mythology, Lord Shiva sat when he received the Ganga in his matted lock. It is visible in winter months when water level decreases.

Kedar Ganga Sangam: Around 100 yards from the Ganga Temple flows the river Kedar Ganga. Starting from the Kedar Valley, this river meets the Bhagirathi on its left bank.

DAY 05: UTTARKASHI - GUPTAKASHI (190KMS/7HR)

Early morning after breakfast, drive to Guptakashi. On arrival check in hotel and overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 06: GUPTAKASHI – KEDARNATH (18KMS TREK)

Morning after breakfast drive to Sonprayag. Trek starts from Sonprayag to Kedarnath (3584 mts) on foot or by pony / doli. Tour members should carry personal medicines, heavy woolens, toiletries and clothes for an overnight halt at Kedarnath. Check in tent. Later visit Kedarnath Temple.

Gaurikund: At a distance of 5 kms from Sonprayag and at an altitude of 1982 meters, one can take bath in the hot water pond here and visit the Gauri Temple. This is the place where Goddess Parvathi meditated to attain Lord Shiva. It is the base for a trek to Kedarnath.

Kedarnath: The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them and took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed, he dived into the ground leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions appeared at Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhmaheshwar and Kalpeshwar, together known as Panch Kedar.

DAY 07: KEDARNATH - GUPTAKASHI (18 KM TREK)

Morning after Aarti & darshan trek back to Guptakashi. Overnight stay at hotel in Guptkashi.

DAY 08: GUPTKASHI - BADRINATH (170KMS/5HR)

Morning after breakfast drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. Check in hotel. Later in the evening visit Badrinath Temple for Aarti. Overnight stay.

Badrinath, one of the 'Four Dhams', is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage spots of the country and is situated at an elevation of 3,133 meters, guarded by Nar & Narayan mountain ranges with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a splendid backdrop. This revered spot was once carpeted with wild berries. Thus, the place got the name "Badri van", meaning "forest of berries".

Tapt Kund: Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath temple.

Narad Kund: A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.

Brahama Kapal: A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda where rituals for ancestors are performed.

Sheshnetra: 1.5 kms away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, known as the Sheshnag’s eye.

Charanpaduka: 3 kms away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is seen on a boulder.

Mata Murty Temple: Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. Other important temples include Sesh Netra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka.

Vasundhara: A magnificent waterfall located 5 kms from Badrinath, out of which 2 kms is motorable upto Mana.

Bhim Pul: On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge lies over the roaring Saraswati River and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim.

Vyas Gufa (cave): Near Mana Village, this is a rock cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the Puranic commentaries.

DAY 09: BADRINATH – JOSHIMATH - PIPALKOTI (76KMS/2HR)

Early morning, pilgrims after having a bath in the Tapt Kund have the darshan of Badrivishal. Brahamakamal is significant for Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors. There are other sightseeing spots like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the “Mukh” of the Saraswati River within 3 kms of Badrinath. Later drive back to Joshimath via Pipalkoti. Check in hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Joshimath: Situated on the slopes above the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga. It is one of the four ‘Maths’ established by Adi Shankaracharya. The most important temple here is of Nir Singh associated with Lord Vishnu. It is believed that when the arm of the deity withers completely, Badrinath valley will cease to exist and shift to Bhavishya Badri in Niti Valley.

DAY 10: PIPALKOTI – RISHIKESH – HARIDWAR (239 KMS/9 HR)

Morning after breakfast drive back to Haridwar. Enroute visit Rishikesh, the 'place of sages', a spiritual town on the bank of Ganga surrounded by the Shivalik ranges. Temples & sightseeing include Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir, Ashram and Parmarth Ashram. Later drop at Haridwar railway station.