Char Dham Yatra

Arrive Haridwar Railway station/ Dehradun airport. Transfer to hotel in Haridwar. Later visits Mansa Devi Temple & Evening attend Famous Ganga Arti at Har ki Pauri HARIDWAR: Haridwar, lying at the feet of Shiva's hills, i.e. Shivaliks, in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. Suryavanshi prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to the curse of sage Kapila. The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled forth forms Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful water revived the sixty thousand sons of king Sagara. In the traditional of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here, praying for salvation of their departed elder. It is doorway to the sources of the Ganga and the Yamuna, 3000 to 4500 meters up into the snowy ranges of the central Himalayas. The 'Aarti' worship of the Ganga after sunset and the floating 'dia' (lamp) is a moving ritual. Overnight stay at hotel in Haridwar.

In the morning pick from Haridwar railway station and breakfast drive to Barkot via Mussoorie Enroute visit Kempty fall, reach Barkot by late evening. Overnight stay at hotel in Barkot.

In the morning proceed to Yamunotri drive up to Jankichatti then 6 kms Trek (One way) to Yamunotri, here 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 and having "Darshan" of “Yamunaji". Later return to Barkot. YAMUNOTRI: Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again. Yamunotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Yamunotri is the source of revered river Yamuna which originates from the Champasar Glacier lying 1 km ahead of the shrine situated at an elevation of 3235 mts. above sea level. The approach is extremely difficult and therefore pilgrims offer Pooja at the temple itself. Yamunotri was the home of an ancient sage Asit Muni. Yamuna is the daughter of the Sun just like Yama who is considered his son. It is believed that Yama would not torment any person at the time of death who takes a holy dip in Yamuna, his sister. SURYA KUND: There are a Number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple, which flows into numerous pools. The most important is Surya Kund. DIVYA SHILA: A rock pillar, worshiped before entering the Yamunotri Temple Overnight stay at hotel in Barkot.

In the morning drive 100 kms to reach Uttarkashi and on arrival check-in into hotel. In the evening you will be free for leisure & local attractions. Overnight stay at hotel in Uttarkashi.

In the morning leave for Gangotri. Post offering prayers, Pooja & Darshan at Gangotri Temple, later drive back to Uttarkashi. GANGOTRI: Gangotri temple is 18th Century temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. It is located near a sacred stone where king Bhagirath worshipped Lord Shiva Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this spot. According to another legend, Pandavas performed the great "Deva Yagna" here to a tone the death of their kinsmen in the epic battle of Mahabharata. The temple is an exquisite 20 ft. high structure made up of white granite. Overnight stay at hotel in Uttarkashi.

In the morning leave for almost day long drive to Guptakashi On the way see the heritage city of Tehri Submerged in to the Mighty waters of Holy River Ganges, due to the construction of Tehri Dam (The Hydro Electric Project) reach Sitapur by evening. A number of streams and rivulets drain into the main Mandakini River. It has salubrious climate with its elevation being around 1,319 meters (4,330 ft.) The snow sparkling view of the Chaukhamba peak is a lovely sight to behold in the morning hours from here. The valley has large magnolia trees (locally called Champa) that provide a sweet scented atmosphere to the place. Kashi Vishwanath Temple & Ardh Narishwar Temple is Attraction point. Overnight stay at hotel in Guptakashi.

After early breakfast drive up to the helipad and fly to Kedarnath. On arrival at Kedarnath perform early Pooja & Darshan at Temple & come. Later fly back to Guptakashi. Arrive Guptkashi, rest of day free to explore local temple and market. KEDARNATH TEMPLE: The present temple built in 8th Century A.D. by Adi Guru Shankaracharya lies adjacent to the site of an ancient temple built by Pandavas. The temple has a conical lingam - the main idol, a statue of Nandi - the celestial bull, a 'Garba Grah' for worship and a man dap for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. The temple is more than 1000 years old. Overnight stay at hotel in Guptkashi.

After breakfast leave for Badrinath En -route visit Narsingh Temple, and Adi Shankracharya Samadhi at Joshimath, then drive to Badrinath and on arrival Pooja Darshan at Temple. Later visit Vyas Cave, Ganesh Cave, Bhim Bridge & origin of River Saraswati at Mana village the last village before the Tibetan border, later go to temple for holy Darshan/Pooja & attend evening Arti. Dinner & stay overnight at hotel. BADRINATH: Cradled in the twin Mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest of the four main shrines Badrinath along the left bank of river Alaknanda with the towering Neelkantha Peaks as the splendid backdrop. Once the spot was carpeted with 'badris' or wild berries and hence was famous as Badri van. Legend has it, when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity; the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent. Therefore, the mighty Ganga was split into 12 holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath. NARAD KUND: A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered BRAHMA KAPAL: It is a flat platform a few yards north of the temple and on the bank of river Alaknanda. It is an important place for shhradh ceremony or offering of pinds to ensure a heavenly place for dead ancestors or manes. It is said that offering pind here, the manes are permanently enshrined in heaven and no more pinds are to be done elsewhere. Ever afterwards have it that when Shiva chopped of the fifth head of Brahma, it got stuck to his trident. Lastly with the blessing of Lord Vishnu at Badrivan, the head of Brahma fell down from the trident at this place & hence the name Brahma-Kapal (head). SHESHNETRA: It is a large block of stone between two small seasonal lakes carrying an eye of "Sheshnag" The eye formation is quite natural, 1.5kms. away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag's eye, it is believed that the Sheshnag waits at this place patiently to accompany the lord on his reincarnation. MANA VILLAGE: Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet. The women of the village offer Choli to the deity on closing day of the temple each year. BHIM PUL: On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge lies over the roaring Saraswati River. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandava brothers. VYAS GUFA (CAVE): Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the Pauranic commentaries. Overnight stay at hotel in Badrinath.

Early morning Mahaabhishek Pooja/ Darshan. Later back to hotel for breakfast then drive to Rishikesh en-route visiting Vishnuprayag, Karnprayag, Nandprayag. Vishnuprayag: Confluence of River Dhauli Ganga and Alaknanda River. Karnprayag : Confluence of River Pindari and Alaknanda River. Nandprayag : Confluence of River Nandakini and Alaknanda River. Rudraprayag : Confluence of River Mandakini and Alaknanda River. Overnight at hotel in Rishikesh.

Morning visit to Trayambakeshwar Temple, on the east bank of the Ganges at Lakshman Jhula Bridge, is 13 stories high, Parmarth Niketan. One of the few Ashrams left in India where Kids get the Vedas Education. Later visit to Triveni Ghat- a most revered sacred bathing spot in Rishikesh and is situated on the banks of Ganges River. It is of belief that those who take a dip in water at this Ghat washes away all the sins and purifies the soul and will have salvation, a relief from all sins carried out; the water here has the power to purify them. Thereafter transfer to Haridwar railway station/ Dehradun airport to board train/ flight for onward destination. …Our Tour Services Ends…