About Kedarnath Badrinath Dham Yatra
Kedarnath and Badrinath are two of the most important pilgrimage sites in India, both located in the state of Uttarakhand. The journey to these sacred sites is known as the Kedarnath Badrinath Dham Yatra.
The yatra usually starts from Haridwar, a holy city situated in Uttarakhand, and proceeds towards the town of Rishikesh. From Rishikesh, pilgrims head towards the town of Joshimath, which serves as a base for the journey to Badrinath.
Badrinath is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is one of the four Char Dham sites in India. The temple of Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River. The temple is surrounded by scenic beauty, with snow-clad peaks and lush greenery. From Badrinath, the yatra proceeds towards Kedarnath, another holy town located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters above sea level and is surrounded by the Himalayan mountain range.
The Kedarnath Badrinath Dham Yatra is considered to be one of the most spiritually enriching journeys in India. The yatra is usually undertaken between the months of May and November, as the region experiences heavy snowfall during the winter months. The journey can be physically challenging, but the experience of visiting these sacred sites is said to be deeply rewarding for the soul.
Best time to visit Kedarnath-Badrinath Dham
The best time to visit Kedarnath and Badrinath is from May to June and from September to November.
During these months, the weather is pleasant and the temperatures are moderate, making it easier to trek to Kedarnath Temple and explore the surroundings of Badrinath. The months of May and June are also considered auspicious for the Char Dham Yatra, as they coincide with the opening of the temples after the winter season.
July and August are the monsoon months in Uttarakhand, and heavy rainfall and landslides can make the journey difficult and dangerous. The Kedarnath and Badrinath temples remain closed during this time due to the risk of floods and landslides.
The winter months from December to April are extremely cold and the region experiences heavy snowfall, making it difficult to access the temples. The temples remain closed during this time and the yatra is not possible.
Overall, it's important to plan your visit to Kedarnath and Badrinath during the best time of the year to ensure a safe and enjoyable pilgrimage experience.
Weather and Temperature at Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham Yatra
The weather and temperature at Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham Yatra can vary depending on the season:
Summer (May to June): The temperature during the day in Badrinath and Kedarnath ranges from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), with cooler temperatures at night. The weather is generally pleasant and dry, making it ideal for trekking and outdoor activities.
Monsoon (July to September): The monsoon season brings heavy rainfall to the region, and the temperature ranges from 10°C to 16°C (50°F to 61°F). The weather can be unpredictable during this time, with landslides and floods being a common occurrence.
Autumn (October to November): During autumn, the temperature ranges from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F) in Badrinath and Kedarnath. The weather is generally dry and cool, with clear skies, making it a good time for sightseeing and trekking.
Winter (December to April): The winter season is extremely cold, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F) in Badrinath and Kedarnath. The region receives heavy snowfall, making it difficult to access the temples and undertake the yatra.
- Kedarnath Badrinath Dham Yatra
14999
Day 1: Drive from Haridwar to Guptkashi
- 200 km drive, time taken approximately is 8-9 hours
- The route will be covering the Byasi, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, and Agastmuni hill stations on the way.
- Have your lunch in the midway and you will reach the destination in the evening.
- Check in into the hotel/guest house and enjoy the evening.
- Overnight stay at Guptkashi.
Start your day early in Haridwar and head towards Guptkashi, a journey of around 200 kilometers that takes about 8-9 hours. En route, you can take a break at Devprayag, the confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers to form the holy river Ganga. Reach Guptkashi in the evening and check into your hotel. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the local markets and trying out the local cuisine.
Day 2: Guptkashi to Gaurikund to Kedarnath
- A total of 20 km trek and 35 km drive.
- Attractions of the day are Mandakini river stream and Gaurikund
- The final attraction of the day is Kedarnath temple
- Stay and dinner at camps.
Wake up early and drive towards Sonprayag, which is around 33 kilometers from Guptkashi. Sonprayag to Gaurikund is 5 km. Vehicles/Shuttles are available as per the season. The charges for this commute have to be taken care of by travelers only on the spot as per availability. Start your trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, which is about 20 kilometers long and takes around 8-9 hours. On the way, you can stop at various places like Rambara, Garud Chatti, and Bheembali, which offer stunning views of the Himalayas. Reach Kedarnath in the evening and check into your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring the Kedarnath temple and the surrounding areas.
Day 3: Kedarnath to Guptkashi
- After morning darshan, 1.5km hike from kedarnath temple to Bhairavnath temple.
- After breakfast head back to gaurikund.
- Drive from Gaurikund to Sonprayag Overnight stay at Guptkashi.
After an early morning darshan of the temple, we shall visit Bhairavnath temple which can be reached after a hike of 1.5 km from the Kedarnath temple. After darshans and breakfast, heading back to Gaurikund. Going back to Sonprayag by shared taxis from Gaurikund. Overnight stay at Guptkashi/Phata/Kund.
Day 4: Guptkashi to Pipalkoti/Bhimtalla
- After hearty breakfast start your drive to Pipalkoti.
- Drive is approximately 4 hours long.
- Overnight stay at Pipalkoti in hotel.
- Dinner is served there.
Wake up late this morning and give yourselves some time to recover from the 'trek bite'. After breakfast, we will travel to Pipalkoti on this day, which will take around 4 hours. While on the way, we shall visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi, and Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, and witness scenic views at Chopta Valley and Gopinath Temple (If parking conditions allow).Stay at the hotel in Pipalkoti/Bhimtalla.
Day 5: Pipalkoti/Bhimtalla to Badrinath Ji to Pipalkoti/Bhimtalla.
- Drive from Pipalkoti to Badrinath with packed morning breakfast.
- Time taken is 3.5-4 hours
Today we head for Badrinath at 5:00 a.m. The breakfast will be packed. It takes around 3.5 hours to reach Badrinath Ji from Pipalkoti. You can also take a holy dip in Tapta Kund before having the darshans of Lord Narayana. After darshans at Badrinath Ji, you can choose to visit Mana Village and then return to your hotel in Pipalkoti/Bhimtalla. Please take proper rest today as we need to travel directly to Rishikesh tomorrow.
Day 6: Pipalkoti to Haridwar.
- Drive back from Pipalkoti to Haridwar/Rishikesh.
The Do Dham yatra concludes today. You start from Pipalkoti early in the morning and drive back to Rishikesh/Haridwar.
