Chardham Yatra is one of the holiest pilgrimages in Hinduism where devotees from all over the world come to wash off their sins and attain moksha. Located in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, this Chardham Yatra covers four temples: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Chardham route map is very important as these destinations are in remote areas, each with different terrain, altitude and road conditions.
Understanding the Chardham Yatra Route Map from Haridwar will help in planning a smooth and safe yatra. This guide will cover the distance, route, road conditions and tips for visiting each temple in the traditional sequence starting from Yamunotri to Badrinath.
Overview of the Chardham Yatra Route Map
The traditional Chardham Yatra route map starts from Haridwar and goes towards Yamunotri, then Gangotri, Kedarnath and ends at Badrinath in a ‘clockwise’ direction. According to Hinduism, this pattern is known as “Parikrama”. Now lets start with the first destination Yamunotri with the trip from the capital city, Delhi.
Char Dham Route Map with Distance
| Route | Distance (km) | Altitude (m) | Key Points |
| Haridwar to Yamunotri | 223 km | 3,293 meters | Haridwar → Rishikesh → Dehradun → Mussoorie → Barkot → Janki Chatti → Yamunotri |
| Yamunotri to Gangotri | 228 km | 3,100 meters | Yamunotri → Barkot → Uttarkashi → Gangotri |
| Gangotri to Kedarnath | 250 km | 3,583 meters | Gangotri → Uttarkashi → Guptkashi → Gaurikund → (16 km trek) → Kedarnath |
| Kedarnath to Badrinath | 218 km | 3,300 meters | Kedarnath → Gaurikund → Guptkashi → Joshimath → Badrinath |
1. Yamunotri: The First Dham in Chardham Yatra
Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is the starting point of the Chardham Yatra. The temple is at a high altitude and is believed to be the source of the Yamuna River which is one of the sacred rivers of India. Visiting Yamunotri is believed to save you from an untimely death as Yamuna is connected to Yama, the God of Death.
- Altitude: 3,293 meters (10,804 feet)
- Distance from Haridwar: 223 km
- Deity: Goddess Yamuna
- Route: Delhi → Haridwar (240 km) → Rishikesh (25 km) → Dehradun (54 km) → Mussoorie (35 km) → Barkot (105 km) → Janki Chatti (11 km) → Yamunotri (6 km trek)
- Road Condition: The road is good up to Janki Chatti, the last motorable point. From there you have to trek 6 km to reach the Yamunotri Temple. The trek is moderately steep and ponies or palanquins are available for those who cannot walk.
Places to See Near Yamunotri
- Surya Kund: A natural hot spring where you can boil rice and potatoes and offer to the deity.
- Divya Shila: A sacred rock pillar near the Yamunotri temple where you can offer prayers before entering the temple.
Tips to travel to Yamunotri
- Best Time to visit: May to October is the best time to visit when the weather is moderate.
- Trek Assistance: If you cannot complete the steep trek you can hire ponies or palkis (palanquins) for assistance.
2. Gangotri: The Second Dham in the Route
The second stop on the Chardham Yatra route map is Gangotri, located in the Uttarkashi district. It is believed to be the birthplace of the River Ganges, known as Bhagirathi here. According to the legend King Bhagirath’s penance brought Ganga from heaven to earth to purify the souls of his ancestors.
- Altitude: 3,100 meters (10,200 feet)
- Distance from Yamunotri: 228 km
- Deity: Goddess Ganga
- Route: Yamunotri → Barkot (11 km) → Uttarkashi (87 km) → Gangotri (90 km)
- Road Condition: Although the condition of the road from Yamunotri to Gangotri is pretty good and well maintained, the stretch between Uttarkashi and Gangotri is mountainous with sharp turns but manageable for vehicles. The journey is scenic with beautiful valleys and rivers all around.
Places to See Near Gangotri
- Bhagirath Shila: The stone where King Bhagirath meditated to bring Ganga to earth.
- Pandava Gufa: The cave where Pandavas are said to have rested during their journey to Himalayas.
Gangotri Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: May to June and September to October are the best time to avoid monsoon and winter.
- Altitude Caution: As Gangotri is at high altitude, it is advised to acclimatize to the conditions especially for senior citizens and those with respiratory problems.
Read More: List of Places You Must Visit During Chardham Yatra
3. Kedarnath: The Sacred Jyotirlinga
Kedarnath is the third dham and one among the most sacred temples of Lord Shiva. It is also one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Along with the Majestic power makes it extremely significant place for spiritual purposes. The temple is located in an area with beautiful landscapes and characterized by great spiritual power. It is surrounded by the enormous white capped mountains that form a Kedarnath mountain range around it.
- Altitude: 3,583 meters (11,755 feet)
- Distance from Gangotri: 250 km (till Gaurikund and then 16 km trek)
- Deity: Lord Shiva
- Route: Gangotri → Uttarkashi (90 km) → Guptkashi (145 km) → Gaurikund (14 km) → Kedarnath (16 km trek)
- Road Condition: The road to Gaurikund is narrow and winding and prone to landslides during monsoon. From Gaurikund, 16 km trek has to be done to reach the Kedarnath temple. Pilgrims can either trek on foot or hire ponies, palkis or take a helicopter from Phata or Guptkashi for quicker access.
Places to Visit Near Kedarnath
- Bhairavnath Temple: Just near the Kedarnath Temple, this shrine is dedicated to Bhairavnath, the fierce deity of the region.
- Vasuki Tal: A high altitude lake 8 km from Kedarnath, peaceful and with great views of Himalayas.
Travel Tips for Kedarnath
- Best Time to Visit: Temple opens in May and is accessible till October. May-June and September-October are the best as the weather is pleasant and the trekking path is safe.
- Trek Assistance: Ponies and palkis can be hired for the 16 km trek or Helicopter Services are available from various helipads for quicker access.
4. Badrinath: The Last Dham
Badrinath dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the last Dham of the Chardham Yatra. Located in Chamoli district it is one of the most visited and revered pilgrim centres in India. The temple is situated between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and River Alaknanda flows beside it.
- Altitude: 3,300 meters (10,827 feet)
- Distance from Kedarnath: 218 km
- Deity: Lord Vishnu
- Route: Kedarnath → Gaurikund (16 km trek) → Guptkashi (14 km) → Joshimath (175 km) → Badrinath (43 km)
- Road Condition: Roads to Badrinath are good but landslides can occur in the base weather conditions. Please check road conditions before starting your journey especially during peak monsoon.
Places to See Near Badrinath
- Tapt Kund: A hot spring where pilgrims take a dip before entering the temple. Water is believed to have healing properties.
- Mana Village: The last village before Indo-China border and known for its cultural heritage and scenic beauty.
- Vyas Gufa: A cave where Sage Vyas is believed to have composed Mahabharata.
Badrinath Travel Tips
- Best Time: May to June and September to October are the best time to visit Badrinath. Temple is closed during winter due to heavy snowfall.
- Pilgrim Comfort: Many accommodations and restaurants are available in Badrinath making it one of the most pilgrim friendly destinations on Chardham Yatra.
Chardham New Route and Transportation Updates
The government is continuously working to improve accessibility and the new Chardham route has been designed to reduce time and increase safety. Road widening and better connectivity has made it easier for devotees to complete Chardham Yatra.
- Helicopter Services: Available from Dehradun, Guptkashi, Phata, Sirsi to reach Kedarnath and also from Yamunotri and Badrinath.
- Road Improvements: Char Dham route map with distance has seen major improvements due to road widening. These has reduced travel time and made journeys safer especially on the landslide prone sections.
Conclusion
The Chardham Yatra route map from Haridwar is a mix of spiritual and natural beauty but needs planning. Knowing the route, road and distance will make the journey smoother. Whether you take the traditional path or the new Chardham route, this yatra will leave an impact on every devotee.
By planning well and knowing the updated road conditions and best route for Chardham Yatra you can make the most of this yatra.