Two Char Dhams
The original Char Dham are the four "abodes" at the four corners of Bharat: Badrinath in the Himalaya, Dwarka on the western sea, Puri on the eastern sea and Rameswaram in the far south. Adi Shankaracharya is traditionally credited with joining them into a single pilgrimage, and three of them are Vishnu shrines while Rameswaram is a Jyotirlinga of Shiva — a reminder that the yatra is of the whole land, not of one sect.
The Chota (little) Char Dham is the Himalayan circuit in Uttarakhand — the sources of the Yamuna and the Ganga, and the shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath. Open only for about six months a year, it is today one of the largest pilgrimages in the world.
Chota Char Dham — the Himalayan circuit
Done clockwise, from Yamunotri in the west to Badrinath in the east.
Yamunotri Temple यमुनोत्री मंदिर
Yamunotri, Uttarakhand · Yamuna
Source of river Yamuna. First stop in Chota Char Dham clockwise circuit. 3,293m. Hot springs (Surya Kund) nearby — rice cooked and offered as prasad.
Darshan: Seasonal: opens on Akshaya Tritiya
Gangotri Temple गंगोत्री मंदिर
Gangotri, Uttarakhand · Ganga
Source of Ganga (though actual glacier is 19 km further at Gaumukh). 3,100m. Built by Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa. King Bhagiratha performed tapasya here.
Darshan: Seasonal: opens on Akshaya Tritiya
Kedarnath Temple केदारनाथ मंदिर
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand · Shiva
Fifth Jyotirlinga and part of the Himalayan Chota Char Dham. Highest Jyotirlinga at 3,583m. Open only May-November due to snow. The Pandavas built it. Lingam here is a conical rock (hump of a bull).
Darshan: Seasonal: opens around Akshaya Tritiya
Badrinath Temple बद्रीनाथ मंदिर
Badrinath, Uttarakhand · Vishnu
One of the Char Dham. Vishnu as Badri Narayan under a wild badri tree. 3,133m altitude. Lakshmi stayed as the badri tree while Vishnu meditated. Open only May-November.
Darshan: Seasonal: opens late Apr/May
Planning the Himalayan yatra
- Register. Registration with Uttarakhand Tourism is compulsory for every pilgrim — do it online before you leave and carry the confirmation.
- Choose the season. May–June and September–October are best. July–August is the monsoon, with a real risk of landslides and road closures.
- Start from Haridwar or Rishikesh. By road: Barkot and Janki Chatti for Yamunotri (about 6 km on foot or pony), Uttarkashi for Gangotri, Guptkashi or Sonprayag for Kedarnath (Gaurikund is the trek base), and Joshimath for Badrinath, which is reached by road.
- Allow 10–12 days. Build in a spare day for weather. Helicopter services from the Guptkashi–Phata area shorten the Kedarnath leg; book only through the official channel.
- Prepare for altitude. All four shrines are above 3,000 m. Carry warm clothes even in summer, rain gear, basic medicines, and have a medical check if you have heart or breathing conditions.
Opening and closing dates are announced each year and rules change between seasons — check the official Uttarakhand portals before you travel.
The four dhams of Bharat
Badrinath Temple बद्रीनाथ मंदिर
Badrinath, Uttarakhand · Vishnu
One of the Char Dham. Vishnu as Badri Narayan under a wild badri tree. 3,133m altitude. Lakshmi stayed as the badri tree while Vishnu meditated. Open only May-November.
Darshan: Seasonal: opens late Apr/May
Dwarkadhish Temple द्वारकाधीश मंदिर
Dwarka, Gujarat · Krishna
One of Char Dham. Krishna's legendary city, now mostly submerged. Current temple is said to be built by Krishna's great-grandson Vajranabh. Sapta Puri — one of seven sacred cities.
Darshan: Usually open about 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Jagannath Temple जगन्नाथ मंदिर
Puri, Odisha · Jagannath (Krishna)
One of Char Dham. Famous for annual Rath Yatra (chariot festival). Mahaprasad from the world's largest temple kitchen. Deities carved from neem wood. Non-Hindus not permitted inside sanctum.
Darshan: Usually open from early morning
Ramanathaswamy Temple रामनाथस्वामी मंदिर
Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu · Shiva
Eleventh Jyotirlinga and part of Char Dham. Rama worshipped Shiva here after killing Ravana (a Brahmin) to atone. World's longest temple corridor (1,200m). Known for 22 sacred wells (Tirthas).
Darshan: Usually open about 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Char Dham and Chota Char Dham?
The Char Dham are the four abodes at the four corners of India — Badrinath (north), Dwarka (west), Puri (east) and Rameswaram (south) — associated with Adi Shankaracharya. The Chota Char Dham is the Himalayan circuit in Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Most people who say "Char Dham Yatra" today mean the Himalayan circuit.
When does the Chota Char Dham Yatra open?
Usually around Akshaya Tritiya (April–May), when Yamunotri and Gangotri open; the opening dates of Kedarnath and Badrinath are announced each year (on Maha Shivratri and Vasant Panchami). The shrines close for winter around Diwali and Bhai Dooj, Badrinath a little later in November.
Is registration needed for the Char Dham Yatra?
Yes. The Uttarakhand government requires every pilgrim to register for the Char Dham Yatra; registration is done online on the official Uttarakhand Tourism portal or at registration counters. Check the current rules before you travel.
How many days does the Chota Char Dham Yatra take?
Usually 10 to 12 days by road from Haridwar or Rishikesh, including the treks to Yamunotri (about 6 km) and Kedarnath (about 16–18 km). Helicopter services shorten the Kedarnath leg.
In what order is the Himalayan Char Dham done?
Traditionally clockwise, from west to east: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and then Badrinath.