Amarnath Yatra Travel Guide

The cave of Amarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is around 5000 years old, and located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage destinations that are visited by hundreds and thousands of pilgrims every year.

Significance of Amarnath Yatra

The Amarnath Yatra in India is an important Hindu mythological site due to its special significance. It states that in the caves of Amarnath, Lord Shiva held discourse about the secret of life, immortality, and eternity to Parvati. Due to the legend associated with this shrine, it holds a particular and special value for Hindus all over the world. The cave is located at a height of 3888 m above sea level. The Amarnath Yatra is done on foot and takes almost 4-5 days to be completed from Pahalgam in Anantnag district.

Amarnath Yatra 2017

The Yatra for the year 2017 will start from 29th June. The duration of this yatra will be around one month. The track for the journey will be ready by 10th June and the yatra may begin on the decided date from both Baltal and Pahalgam. The Amarnath Yatra 2017 cannot be performed before 29th June, which is the officially announced date. In order to follow these instructions, the shrine board has locked the gates of the holy cave. The devotees are required to get registered for performing this yatra.

Amarnath Trust

In order to serve and help the devotees and visitors of Amarnath, an organization named ‘Bhole Bhandari Charitable Trust’, was formed in 1999. The services provided by this trust helps the pilgrims to gain all the information regarding the yatra even before the yatra begins. It provides information regarding the yatra commencing date, duration, weather conditions, accommodation facilities, and location of this pilgrimage site. The trust is the one responsible for providing all the related information for yatra registration process for Amarnath Yatra 2017.

Tours and Packages

The Amarnath Yatra in India is one of the toughest journeys to any pilgrimage center. In order to provide an easy and convenient journey, many tours and travel companies offer special Amarnath Yatra booking facility. The two main yatra tours are Amarnath Yatra via Pahalgam or Baltal. One can also avail to and from helicopter services for Amarnath cave from Baltal and Srinagar.

How to Reach

The Yatra is done on foot from Pahalgam or Baltal. The only concern for devotees is to reach either of these places. You can reach Pahalgam or Baltal by air, rail, or road. The nearest airport is of Srinagar, which also offers low and reasonable Shree Amarnath Yatra airfares. Jammu is the nearest railway station and is well connected to all the major cities of India. You can also hire a taxi or board a bus from Jammu and Srinagar.

Despite of the arduous route to the cave of Amarnath, innumerable pilgrims visit this holy shrine of Lord Shiva every year in order to get one glimpse of the shrine.

Amazing & Interesting Facts About Badrinath Dham

Badrinath occupies a unique position in the Char Dham Yatra circuit. It is part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, the three others being Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. It is part of the major char Dham Yatra with the other three comprised of Puri, Dwarka and Rameshwaram. Home of Lord Vishnu, Badrinath is in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand, located between Nar and Narayan mountains at a height of 3133 metres. This is where Lord Vishnu is supposed to have spent aeons meditating and his consort Laxmi assumed the form of Badri, a local plum tree, in order to shelter from the biting cold. This is how he came to be known as Badrinarayan. There are legends galore about Badrinarayan and there are facts you may like to know should you plan to undertake a pilgrimage.

badrinath-temple-opening

Badrinath was also a Buddhist temple!

Astounding as it may seem, the Badrinarayan temple was a Buddhist temple for the time when King Ashoka ruled India. However, it was and remains one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu since puranic times.

The lamp keeps burning even when the doors are closed for six months

Badrinath remains closed for winter when the Lord’s idol is brought down to Joshimath but people have observed that when the doors are opened in spring, there is a lamp that remains lit for six months. The temple opens for pilgrims at the end of April, around Akshaya Trij and then closes in the beginning of November and the idol of the Lord is brought down to his winter home.  Badrinath was a small village housing only some huts for the priests but today it has grown into a small town and one can find hotels in Badrinath to accommodate tourists and pilgrims.

The Alaknanda is holy

Alaknanda river at Badrinath

The Alaknanda, flowing by the side of the Temple is considered holy and bathing here washes away sins. Devotees say that the waters of the river give the impression that the feet of the Lord are being constantly washed.

Badrinath is the last stop in the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand

Badrinath is the last stop in the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. Mercifully it is not the toughest part and it is relatively easy to reach Badrinath since once can drive all the way up to Ghangaria via Chamoli and Joshimath. The distance to be covered on foot is short and one can even arrive by Helicopter at Harsil.

Tapta Kund has medicinal properties

Tapta Kund

Tapta Kund in the vicinity of the temple is a hot water sulphur spring and it is believed the waters can cure any ailment.

Badrinath is not just a pilgrimage destination. It can also offer wonderful opportunities for tourists to explore the Himalayan range, enjoy their stay at the delightfully picturesque Chamoli or indulge in adventure and sports activities. The Valley of Flowers is not far off and Auli is the winter destination for skiing and the place for the longest ropeway to Joshimath, a delightful aerial experience to remember.

Best Time to Visit

Badrinath experiences cold and chilly weather conditions throughout the year. However it would be a wise decision for you to visit Badrinath or make your plans for this journey during the comfortable summer months of May to July. Although the temperature here remains pleasant during the said months it still remains freezing during the night. If you are looking to explore some nearby places as well then this is the best time to visit for pilgrims as well as outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

It is not advisable for you to go on this holy Yatra during the monsoon months of July to early September since the entire region remains prone to heavy and unexpected landslides along with torrential rain falls.

Winter Home:

With the onset of the harsh winter months and after the shutting down of the Kapat of Badrinath Dham for 6 months, the presiding deity of Lord Vishnu is shifted to his winter home in Joshimath. This winter abode was established by the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya almost 1200 years back. In case any pilgrim wants to offer their prayers to the presiding deity of Char Dham then they have the option of paying a visit to them in their winter homes. The other three winter abodes include – Kharsali (Yamunotri), Mukhba (Gangotri) and Ukhimath (Kedarnath).

Nearby Excursion Places:

• Mana Village – Popular for being the last village of India due to its location on the Indo – Tibetan border, this village holds incredible amount of history as well as mythology. The village is known for its incredible lush greenery and picturesque beauty. Some people also believe that this is also the place where the Pandava brothers are believed to have taken a stopover on their way to heaven.
• Vasudhara Falls – Gushing down from an impressive height of 400 feet and surrounded by scenic views of the Badrinath valley below, this beautiful waterfall is located at a distance of 4 kms from the village of Mana. It is believed that the water from this falls does not fall on people whose heart is believed to be impure.
• Charanpaduka – Perched at an elevation of 3,380 metres above sea level and surrounded by rolling, undulating lush green mountains, this point is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu is supposed to have put his first foot here when he had descended on to the earthy realm from the heavenly realm.

Haridwar – The Gateway to the Gods

Haridwar is one of the most important pilgrim cities of India and is located on the banks of river Ganges, more commonly known as Gang River, originating from the Gangotri Glacier in Himalayas. Pilgrims from all over India come to the holy city of Haridwar to take holy bath in the river Ganges and were away their sins. This place of Haridwar has more holy history than any other place in India. An Indian pilgrim tour cannot be complete without visiting Haridwar. Haridwar is the gateway through which river Ganges after originating from Gaumukh glacier enters for the first time into the North Indo Gangetic Plains.

Distances from other major cities:

• Delhi-279 km
• Dehradun- 54 km
• Rishikesh- 12 km
• Agra-328 km
• Shimla-275 km
• Yamunotri-333 km
• Kedarnath-324 km
• Nainital-243 km

Best time to visit: Haridwar has moderate climate in both summers and winters and visited by people all the year round but is mostly visited during the Kumbh Mela despite of the climate or weather. The water of river Ganges in usually clear and cold except in the monsoons. The summer temperature reaches a maximum of 44 C and the winter temperature reaches a minimum of 2 C.

How to Reach Haridwar

Haridwar has good connectivity to all the major cities and states of India. It has highway, highway 58 connecting cities like Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee, Badrinath etc. The Haridwar Railway station is under Northern Railways and has direct links to major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Indore, Jaipur and Ahmadabad. The nearest Airport is the Jolly grant Airport which is 35 kilometers away from main Haridwar city.

Hotels in Haridwar: Some of the major hotels in Haridwar are Hotel Raj, Hotel Jewel, Ambrosia Sarovar Portico, Hotel Midtown, Le grand, Park view, Hotel Disney Inn, Ganges Rivera, The Haveli Hari, Ganga, Hotel Modi Inn, Hotel Alpana, Hotel Vinayak, Hotel Khanna Palace, Classic Residency, Ginger Hotel, Country Inn and Suites, Hotel Ganga Kinare, Hotel Alaknanda, Neelkanth, Hotel Basant and many more.

Important places to Visit:

Har ki Pauri

It is the sacred Ghat of Ganga where every evening Aarti takes place to worship Goddess Ganga, the purest of all the Indian deities. Worshippers float Diyas and flowers in the river Ganges in memory of the holy deity Ganga and that evening scene of the river Ganga lighted with Diyas is just spectacular.

Chandi Devi Temple

It is a temple dedicated to goddess Chandi. The temple is a 3 km trek from Chandighat but can also be reached through ropeways, which were made available a few years back for the convenience of the people.

Mansa Devi Temple

It is situated on the top of Bilwa Parwat and is made in remembrance of goddess Mansa Devi who is considered to be the goddess who fulfills desires.

Maya Devi Temple

This temple embarks upon the story, where Lord Shiva’s First wife Sati’s one of the many body parts fell when she died.

Kankhal

It is the ancient temple of Daksh Mahadev, also known as the Daksheshwar Mahadeva Temple.

Neel Dhara Pakshi Sarovar

It is a lake linked with the Ganges River and is a very popular territory for birds. It is a bird sanctuary.

Bharat Mata Mandir

It is a multi storey building which is a temple dedicated to Bharat Mata that is Mother India.

Shantikunj

It is the headquarter of All World Gayatri Pariwar.

Anandamayi Maa Ashram

It is situated in in Kankhal, the ashram was the house of Sri Anandamayi Ma.

The Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand – Chardham Tour Guide

Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are known as Chardham of Uttarakhand. To the spiritual tour of Chardham, thousands of devotees come to Uttarakhand every year. The doors (Kapat) of Chardham often open at the mid of April and close at the mid of October. From the first day after opening of the doors of Chardham, the Yatra for these holy shrines starts. Each Dham has its own opening and closing date for every year. Everyone can visit Char Dham Yatra by helicopter, by taxies and by buses.

Badrinath Temple

Badrinath Dham is one of the Char Dham of India and very popular as the sacred place of Bhagwan Vishnu. Badrinath is also known as Badrinarayan Temple which is another name of Bhagwan Vishnu. The Badrinath Temple is situated in the bank of holy river Alaknanda in the Badrinath town of Uttarakhand. The temple opens only for six months in between April to November. Due to extreme condition of weather, the doors (also known as Kapats) closed for next six months.

There is a black stone image or Murti of Bhagwan Badrinarayan under a Badri tree along with a gold canopy in the main shrine house of Badrinath Temple. Along with the Badrinarayan Murti, there are 15 more Murti of Hindu gods and goddesses around the temple including Nara & Narayana, Narasimha, Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kubera, Narada, Garuda, Uddhava and Navadurga. The Tapt Kund known as hot sulphur springs is an important part of the temple.

Kedarnath Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath Temple is one of the holiest places of Uttarakhand and India. The Kedarnath temple is situated in great Himalaya region near a holy river Mandakini in Kedarnath Nagar Panchayat of Rudraprayag district. Due to weather Kedarnath Dham opens only for six months in between April to November. For next six months the Murti of Bhagwan Kedarnath is brought to Ukhimath and worshiped there.

Kedarnath Temple is considered as of the 12 Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva which was built by Adi Shankaracharya. The Kedarnath Temple is away at 14 Km trek from Gurikund as the road ends at Gaurikund and pilgrim can take a foot march, can hire a horse or Palki to reach there in the Kedarnath Temple.

Gangotri Temple

The Gangotri temple is dedicated to Maa Ganga (Ganges), a holy and most sacred river for Hindus. The Gangotri temple is known as one of the Char Dham of Uttarakhand state. Gangotri is situated at Uttarkashi District. The river Ganga called Bhagirathi on its origin and acquired the name Ganga from Devprayag where Ganges meets to river Alaknanda. Gaumukh is the origin place of River Ganga which is also known as Gangotri Glacier is about 19 Km trek from the Gangotri Temple.

Yamunotri Temple

The seat of Yamuna Ji and origin of the holy river Yamuna is known as Yamunotri. The Yamunotri temple is the main attraction of Yamunotri Dham. The actual source Champasar Glacier is about 1 Km up from the Yamunotri Temple. The Yamunotri Temple was constructed by Raja Pratap Shah. Surya Kund and Gauri Kund is the most important part of the temple which is a hot water spring. There is 13 Km trek from Hanuman Chatti and 6 Km walk from Janki Chatti to reach into the main temple. The temple opens for approx six months on May on the day of Akshaya Tritiya and closes on November on Yama Dwitiya (the second day after Diwali) for next 6 months due to extreme weather conditions.

Some Important Tips of Chardham Yatra

• The Best Time to Visit: Chardham is mid April to Jun last, and September to October.
• Things to Carry: Warm and heavy woolen clothes, medicines, trekking shoes, lip guard, balm, sunscreen lotion, mosquito repellent, dry fruits for instant energy, rain coat, Umbrella, Binoculars, Camera , Water purification tablets, Monkey cap etc.
• How to Reach: By Air- jolly grant airport is the nearest airport to the Chardham, Train- Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar is the nearest railway station to the Chardham, & buses are available to the Chardham from Rishikesh, Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Haldwani, Srinagar Garhwal, Kotdwar, Haridwar & Delhi.
• Chardham Yatra by Helicopter: Chardham Yatra can compete easily by helicopter; there are many helicopter operators who operate Chardham helicopter services such as Pawan Hans, Prabhatam aviation pvt. Ltd, Heritage Aviation, Jettech Aviation and more.
• Chardham Accommodations: If you’re planning for visiting Chardham you must booked a hotel for stay there are many hotels for accommodation, during peak season every hotel filled so you should avoid the hassle & book hotels in advance.

Rajasthan – The Land of Kings

‘India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most constrictive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only!’ – Mark Twain

India has always been up there on my ‘places to visit’ list. I got news that two of my guy friends were checking it out and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to tag along on the adventure!

My first impression of India hit me the most. It was as simple as passing a young girl in a dark green sari along a small dark alleyway; the moonlight bouncing off her gold bindi. The feeling I had in that moment I will never forget. I am here – I am in India.

While in India, we traveled to the northwestern state of Rajasthan, a place full of life, full of history, full of colour, full of fortresses and full of camels!

Here are a few Rajasthan adventures you could be lucky enough to experience:

We heard very high reviews of the ‘Rat Temple’ in Bikaner. I really have no words – I had no words when I experienced it and am still trying to sum it up. Karni Mata is a temple home to thousands of holy sacred rats which are bowed and prayed to as they crawl over and around your bare feet. It’s one of those ‘Did that just actually happen?’ moments and like it or not, it’s something that needs to be seen to be believed and must be added to your Indian ‘to do’ list.

Camel Safari in Rajasthan

“Do you want a slow camel or a crazy camel?” was the sentence that started my most remote Indian experience. Being the dare devil I am, I rode the crazy camel into the desert; watching the sunset over the Pakistani border and sleeping under the stars, feeling like the only person in the world.

Some other memorable moments include crashing a Bollywood movie scene and then being invited back to their after party. Going to the coolest, oldest cinema with wooden seats and getting the pants scared off you by the scariest Bollywood film for 50c. Being surrounded by 20 kids who had blocked off the road and wouldn’t let us past until we paid them some rupees.

Rajasthan Holi Festival

But the greatest day in Rajasthan and possibly in all of my travels was taking part in the Holi festival. Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the coming of Spring with brightly coloured powder being thrown on anything with a heartbeat. With my camera Glad-wrapped, our crisp white clothes on, and our bag of powder at hand, we were ready to face the onslaught. It took a total of 2.67 seconds for the war to start. Being some of the only foreigners in the city, we were prime targets for young and old and gained more colour with every step. Kids laughed, men laughed, old women laughed. It was the one day where everyone’s inner child comes to life. No one was safe; even the cows had fluorescent green handprints and the white dogs were turned pink. A giggling young girl cornered me as her family took aim and drenched me with buckets of water that came from their balcony. More laughing erupted.

Man throws pink powder at Rajasthan Holi festival

We danced in the street to the latest Bollywood songs being blasted from who-knows-where. The day ended with an invitation up to a roof top party where we ate fluorescent-colored rice, soaked each other with dirty-coloured water and danced like the craziest cats in town. All the fun ended with our bathroom looking like a scene out of a horror film. We were red for days! Amazing experience, life long memories, new friends, new skin colour. If you have an overseas festival list, permanent marker this one right up at the top.

It’s hard to describe Rajasthan in a few words; it is a state that is so rich in culture. It could be described as a huge open-air museum, for it is a place with exquisite views and magnificent monuments.

Inspirational, majestic, the land of kings; this is Rajasthan.

Religious Tourism in Gujarat – Pilgrimage in Gujarat

Gujarat is one fascinating land that serves as a great crowd puller due to its immense tourism potential. This mesmerizing western Indian state of lions and legends is home to diverse and scenic landscape, endangered wildlife, historical sites, vast uninterrupted coastlines, verdant woods, ancient and highly revered temples and many more. Tour operators offer to tourists various types of tour packages for Gujarat. Packages like Gujarat Temple tour, Gujarat wildlife tour, Gujarat beach tour, Gujarat cultural tour are some of the tour packages of Gujarat that enjoy great popularity in the country’s tourism circuit. If you are a religiously inclined person, opting for a Gujarat pilgrimage tourism package is the best for you. Gujarat pilgrimage tourism takes you on a tour of all the major pilgrimage destinations, temples and shrines of Gujarat. To learn more about Gujarat pilgrimage tourism, read on-

Gujarat pilgrimage tourism encompasses the following types of religious tours of Gujarat-

Jain Temple Tour

Jainism had played a dominant role in Gujarat once upon a time. The state is dotted with several beautiful Jain temples which are not only sacred places but also great specimens of ornate art and architecture. The Jain temple tour of Gujarat will take you on a tour of the Palitana jain temples atop mount Shatrunjaya, Mount Girnar Jain temples near Junagadh, Jamnagar Jain temples in Jamnagar’s Chandi Bazar, Hutheesing Jain Temple in Ahmedabad

Jyotirlingam Tour

Gujarat Jyotirlingam tour takes you on a tour of two of the most revered Jyotirlingam of the country; the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga located in Gujarat’s Dwarka and the Somnath Jyotirlingam located in Gujarat’s shore city, Somnath. At the Nageshwar temple lord Shiva is worshipped as Naganath or ‘Lord of Snakes’. At the temple of Somnath, lord Shiva is worshipped as the ‘Lord of the moon God’

Dwarka Sapta Puri Tour

Dwarka is one of the most holy lands of the country. This pilgrimage destination of Gujarat is counted among the ‘Sapta Puri’ or ‘seven holy lands’ of the Hindus. Also, it is one of the Chardham of the Mahaparikrama Chardham circuit. Dwarka is steeped in religious as well as mythological significance. Dwarka is home to the famous Dwarkadheesh temple or Jagat Mandir that enshrines the image of lord Krishna as the ‘King of Dwarka’. The lord here is all dressed up in his kingly avatar. There are many other holy places to see at Dwarka other than the Dwarkadheesh temple. For instance, you could visit Beyt Dwarka, Rukmani Mandir, Gomti Ghat, Gopi Talav, Gita Mandir, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Siddheshwar Mahadev Mandir, ISKON Temple, Sudama Setu etc

Other Hindu Temple Tours

Other Hindu temples tour of Gujarat may include Jamnagar’s Bala Hanuman Temple, Ahmedabad’s Swaminarayan temple, Gandhinagar’s Akshardham temple, Modhera’s Sun temple, Porbander’s Bileshwar Mahadev temple and Gop temple in its itinerary.

Islamic Pilgrimage Tour

Gujarat had seen the growth and expansion of Islam in the yesteryears and thus the state is dotted with numerous sacred relics of Islamic religion. The Islamic pilgrimage tour of Gujarat will take you on a tour of some of the most renowned and sacred mosques of Gujarat such as Ahmed Shah’s mosque, Rani Rupmati’s Mosque, Rani Sipri’s mosque, Sidi Saiyad mosque, Sidi Bashir Mosque, Jama Masjid.

Christian Pilgrimage Tour

When it comes to Gujarat Christian pilgrimage tourism we are at once reminded of the quaint and quiet Diu and two of its most famous churches which are indeed a must-visit for any pious Christian. St Thomas Church and St Paul’s Church of Diu are two of the most revered churches of the country. St Thomas church has a simple architecture, is home to the museum of Diu and comes with a spooky collection of ancient catholic statues. St Paul’s Church dates back to 1600 and had been set up by the Jesuits.

Best Time to Go For Chardham Yatra

Chardham Yatra is one pilgrimage journey that draws pilgrims from every nook and corner of the country. The path however is uphill, difficult and the weather is often inclement, thereby making journey risky. To avoid any sort of risks you must be aware of the ‘best time to go for Chardham Yatra’. So read on-

Every devout Hindu cherishes the thought of going on a char Dham Yatra at least once in his lifetime. The major char Dham present a difficult and time-consuming undertaking so it is no surprise that the mini Chardham comprising of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath have become immensely popular. Even though the final lap of each destination involves walking over rough terrain it does not deter devotees and in 2012 alone, there were 12 million pilgrims making a beeline for these destinations during the pilgrimage season.

Chardham Opening Dates

Each of these char Dham is located up in the mountains and heavy snowfall and torrential rains renders them inaccessible after November. For this year the starting date for the Yatra is 21st April for Yamunotri and Gangotri, 24th for Kedarnath and 25th for Badrinath. Yamunotri is closed on the second day of Diwali as is the Gangotri shrine. Closure of Kedarnath is decided on Bhai Dooj and on Vijaya Dashmi for Badrinath. Since there is a heavy rush of Chardham pilgrims, it is a wise step to book in a Chota chardham yatra offered by a specialist tour operator.

Best Time to Visit Chardham

The four shrines remain open from the last week of April to the first week of October and you should plan your journey between these dates. Of course, the best season to visit char Dham is n summer before the rains start. The last week of April or the first fortnight of May are ideal since the weather in these regions is pleasant and you do not face the prospect of rains. Summer is the best weather for Chardham Yatra with temperatures around 18 deg. C. You do not need to carry along too much of warm clothing and travel becomes a joy, especially with the countryside blooming with flowers. However, your journey from where you live to Haridwar or Rishikesh could be slightly uncomfortable due to heat in the plains.

Some people might prefer Chardham Yatra during the monsoon but there is an element of uncertainty. Rain is scanty in the usual course but no one can forget the heavy rains of 2014 and rains can result in damage to roads. On the plus side, the countryside takes on a mantle of green and the sight is simply too beautiful for words.

Some would consider the best weather for Chardham Yatra is the latter part of September when rains have stopped and the air is pure and moist. Temperatures go down but it is still pleasantly cool with the mountainsides and valleys covered with an abundance of green grass and foliage. A further advantage is that the first rush of pilgrims is over and there is far less crowding. It is easier to get accommodation and transport.

Summer, monsoon or autumn? Take your pick. All things considered, you will find that September is a far better time for the Chardham Yatra since this is also the time when the best weather prevails.

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1. Pilgrimage Places in Uttarakhand

Pilgrimage Places in Uttarakhand – Religious Tourism Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, a north Indian state cradled amid the mighty Himalayan peaks comes with a virgin natural beauty and a divinity all about it. The lofty snow clad peaks, rolling emerald vales and gurgling pellucid rivulets present nature in its most pristine form. Furthermore the innumerable religious shrines dotting the land speak of the divinity that pervades the air around Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand with its famous Chardhams and numerous other religious destinations has become a fond hotspot for the God lovers and Uttarakhand religious tourism is now a significant tourism industry in the state.

Uttarakhand religious tourism consist in a visit to the following religious destinations-

Chardham

Chardhams of Uttarakhand is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations of the region and consist in a visit to places such as Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Yamunotri Dham is an abode of Goddess Yamuna; Gangotri Dham is an abode of Goddess Ganga; Kedarnath dham is an abode of Lord Shiva and Badrinath Dham is an abode of Lord Vishnu. A Yatra of the Chardhams is believed to lead one to ‘Moksha’ by absolving his/her sins and therein lies the religious significance of Chardham yatra.

Haridwar

Haridwar, the ancient holy city of Uttarakhand is often referred to as ‘gateway to God’s abode’. The reason behind this nomenclature is that Haridwar actually makes the starting point of all pilgrimage trips to Uttarakhand. Haridwar is famous all across the country and globe due to its serene Ganga Aarti, Kumbh Mela and religious places like Chandi Devi temple, Mansa Devi temple, Maya Devi temple and Daksheswara Mahadev Temple.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh, another secluded and serene holy city of Uttarakhand is set along the river banks of Ganges and is famed enough as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. There are many ashrams in Rishikesh offering training in yoga and meditation. Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Triveni Ghat, Laxman temple and Neelkanth Mahadev temple are the chief religious attractions of Rishikesh.

Hemkund Sahib

Hemkund Sahib, is a holy religious destination of the Sikhs located along the banks of Hemkund, the pellucid Lokpal Lake situated at an elevation of about 4329 meters above the sea level. According to legends, the 10^th Sikh Guru, Guru Govindh Singh had meditated at this spot once upon a time and that makes Hemkund Sahib a significant pilgrimage of Sikhism.

Piran Kaliyar

Piran Kaliyar is a famous and revered Dargah Shariff for the followers of Islam. The Dargah bears the holy tomb of Sufi Saint, Sabir Kaliyari or Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir. The Urs festival held around the Dargah in the months of May and June pulls pilgrims from far and wide. During the Urs, colorful Mushairahs and Qawwalis mark the celebratory, festive moods of people mustering around the Dargah.

Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra

Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra is held in honor of Nanda Devi, Uttarakhand’s major patronizing Goddess. A fair is held around the month of September as a tribute to Nanda Devi and thousands of people take part in the royal pilgrimage procession shouldering the Doli of Goddess Nanda Devi.

Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi

Adi Shankaracharya, the great spiritual sage, philosopher and guru had been the reformer of Hinduism and had established the concept of the holy Chardhams. He took Samadhi when he was just 32years of age and his Samadhi is located just behind the Kedarnath shrine. Pilgrims often gather at the Samadhi to pay their tribute to this great sage.

Kedarnath Tourism Kedarnath Temple Travel Guide

Kedarnarth Dham, the abode of lord Shiva perched amid the panoramic beauties of the high Himalayas of Uttarakhand is one of the most auspicious pilgrimage destinations pulling devout pilgrims and God believers from far and wide.

Kedarnath Temple

About Kedarnath

The sacredness of Kedarnath Dham is unfathomable indeed. It is one of the Chota Chardhams, one among the ‘Panch Kedars’ and also one among the 12 Shiv Jyotirlingams that our country is honored with. According to mythical records this temple was set up by Adi Shankaracharya, the great spiritual guru, philosopher and reformer. Myths have it that Pandavas were suffering from guilt pangs after the great battle of Mahabharata. They were guilty of having slaughtered their own kinsmen at the battlefield and thus came seeking for lord Shiva. They wished to get blessed by the lord and thus absolve their sins. But lord Shiva tried to evade them and took the disguise of a bull. However, Bhima one of the Pandava brothers spotted him and tried to catch hold of the ‘bull’. In an attempt to flee, Lord Shiva divided his body into many parts which got scattered in many directions. ‘His’ hump fell on the place where Kedarnath temple stands today. Thus the Shivling in Kedarnath temple is shaped like the ‘bull’s hump’

Location

Kedarnath temple is located in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand and falls within the district of Rudraprayag. The temple is perched at an elevation of 3583 meters above the sea level and stands along the banks of River Mandakini and amid an unflustered, splendid beauty of Nature.

Kedarnath Tourism

Kedarnath temple is the main attraction for tourists and pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath. Apart from Kedarnath temple, you could also consider visiting other attractions like Gauri Kund, Vasuki Tal, Sonprayag, Kalimath, Phata, Chandrapuri & Gandhi Sarovar.

How to Reach

Kedarnath Dham can be reached through the following ways:

By Air: Jolly Grant airport located about 150 miles from Kedarnath Dham is connected to all other major airports of the country. After reaching to Jolly Grant airport, you could avail road transport to reach Kedarnath Dham. Also, Helicopter Services for Kedarnath Yatra may be availed from Dehradun for a comfortable and quick journey to Kedarnth.

By Rail: You have to make a train journey to Rishikesh, the nearest railway station located at a distance of nearly 130 miles. Rishikesh is connected to all other stations of the country through a well developed railway network. After reaching Rishikesh you can avail road transport to reach Kedarnath. Apart from Rishikesh, the other railhead options are Haridwar, Kotdwar and Kathgodam.

By Road: Gaurikund, the Kedarnath base camp is well connected to all major Uttarakhand cities plus those of the neighboring states through well developed motor-able roads. Public and private buses and taxis regularly ply on these roads. From Gaurikund one has to undertake the 8 miles trek to reach Kedarnath Dham.

Best Time to Visit

Best time to visit the Kedarnath Dham is between months April to June and then again September to first half of November. The weather remains cool and pleasant during these months. The winters start from the end of November and last till early April. The winters are fiercely cold and snow clad. The monsoons strike Kedarnath around Months, late June & July. The region becomes landslide prone and risky. Thus journeying during the monsoons is a strict no-no.

Travel Tips

For a hassle-free Kedarnath Dham Yatra, you need to follow the following tips:

1. Don’t go astray from your group; it could be dangerous to get lost in the Himalayas.
2. Improve your fitness quotient through exercises prior to the arduous Kedarnath journey.
3. Keep munching dry fruits and nuts while you trek; that will replenish the loss of energy.

Car Rental Service in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is blessed with bountiful natural beauty and spiritual grandeur. There are numerous beautiful hill stations and spiritual destinations in Uttarakhand waiting to be explored. Each year thousands of tourists and pilgrims make their way to Uttarakhand to explore its hidden treasures. Whether it is the call of Nature or that of God that inspires you to be at Uttarakhand, the joy of journey could be best enjoyed with a proper transportation system. These days, car rental services have peaked the popularity meter among both tourists and chardham pilgrims. To learn more about Uttarakhand Car Rental Services, read on-

Advantages of car rental services at Uttarakhand

• Convenience and comfort assured

With Uttarakhand car rental services, your journey becomes quite smooth and hassle-free. The service providers are quite professional and pay heed to the fact that the comfort needs of passengers are perfectly met. Cars are well maintained cars with sophisticated ergonomic cushioned seats and seat recline features. Passengers can choose between AC Cars and Non-AC Cars as per their requirements

• Time advantage

The quality of service of Uttarakhand public transport is poor and sporadic. Public buses are infrequent and offer delayed service making your journey unpredictable and full of hassles. Also, you have to travel in jam-packed buses and that becomes too suffocative & exhaustive for you. While car rentals are far more punctual, round-the-clock, cozy & comfortable

• Many Car options to choose from

Car rental service providers offer you with a vast array of car options to choose from. They give every type of cars ranging from luxury SUV, BMW,SEDAN etc to even cheaper budget car options so that you can make your pick depending upon your exact need and preference.

• Skilled drivers

The drivers driving these rental cars have enough expertise in driving and are all licensed drivers. So, your safety is 100% assured. Passengers seeking Char Dham car rentals especially are often more apprehensive about their safety because the route to Chardham trekking point is quite rugged and perilous

• Transparent billing procedure

There is no risk of overcharging because all service providers stick to a standard rate chart and supervise over the rates charged from customers via an advanced Bluetooth meter, pre-installed and well integrated with the latest GPS System.

• Online booking Facility

Today everything has gone online and these car rental services are not an exception to the rule. You can now book an Uttarakhand car rental service on your decided date sitting in the comfort of your home.

Uttarakhand Car rental services- Do’s and Don’ts

• While booking the car rental service online make sure to enter the correct journey date, number of passengers meant to travel and your choice of vehicle. On your accuracy depends much of the quality of service.
• Make your car rental service provider aware of any special requirement that you might have
• While traveling on the car don’t play loud music or compel the driver to drive at a speed beyond the permissible limits. Uttarakhand has a mountainous terrain and by doing so you could risk your life
• Carry with you sufficient dry foods and nuts to munch on and even nausea-control medicines. The sharp turns and curves of meandering mountain routes may leave you thoroughly nauseated.