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Holy Char Dham Yatra 2013

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Delhi. Haridwar. Barkot. Yamunotri. Uttarkashi. Gangotri. Guptkashi. Kedarnath. Rudraprayag. Badrinath. Rishikesh. Haridwar. Delhi

  
Blessed with magnifi cent glaciers, majestic snow-clad mountains, gigantic and ecstatic peaks, valley of flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, this Abode of Gods also includes many shrines and places of pilgrimage worth a visit. Char Dham, the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are nestled in the mighty mountains. Uttaranchal promises its tourists a visit full of fun and unforgettable moments.
Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar ( 205kms.6 Hrs )
Morning on Arrival at the Airport/railway station/pick up point,meet our drive to Haridwar,on arrival Haridwar check in Hotel. later we shall take you to visit to the Har- ki- Pauri,Revel in Ganga Aarti in the Evening,later back to hotel for Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 02: Haridwar – Mussoorie - Barkot (220kms/7-8hr)
Depart from Haridwar early morning and stop for lunch on the way to Mussoorie . Continue your journey and reach Barkot in the Evening after visiting Kempty falls on the way.on arrival check in to the hotel, Dinner and Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Barkot - Yamunotri - Barkot {36kms drive & 6kms Trek (one side)}
Drive to Jankichatti / Phoolchatti, trek start from here to Yamunotri (6kms). Either by walk or by horse or by Doli at own cost. Arr. Yamunotri, 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's warn water and having "Darshan" of pious "Yamunaji" returning to Jankichatti. Later drive back to Barkot. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Yamunotri Temple : Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again.

Surya Kund: There are a Number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple, which flows into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund.

Divya Shila: A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple .

Day 04: Barkot - Uttarkashi (100kms/4hr)
After a Relaxed breakfast, leave for Uttarkashi, Drive of 100 kms. Enroute vist Prakateshwar Cave, on arrival Uttarkashi Check in at the Hotel Evening visit Vishvanath Temple, Overnight stay at the hotel.

Uttarkashi: Situated at the bank of river Bhagirathi. The temple of Lord Vishwanath is located here where a massive iron trident is erected.

Day 05: Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi (100kms/3-4 each side)
Early Morning drive to Gangotri (3048 mts), enroute we enjoy picturesque Harsil village, Bhagirathi River and the most magnificent view of the Himalayas . After Gangotri Darshan we return to Uttarkashi. Oernight stay at Uttarkashi.

Gangotri Temple : Gangotri temple is 18th Centuri temple dedicated to Goddess ganga. It is located near a sacred stone where king Bhagirath worshipped Lords Shiva. Ganga “Deva Yagna ”hear to atone the death of their kinsmen in the epic battle of Mahabharat. The temple is an exquisite 20ft.high structure made of white granite…..

Submerged Shivling: Submerged in the river, this natural rock Shivling is the place where, according to mythology Lord Shiva sat when he received the Ganga in his matted lock. It is visible in winter months when water level decreases.

Kedar Ganga Sangam: Around 100 Yards from the Ganga Temple flows the river Kedar Ganga. Starting from the Kedar Valle, this river meets the Bhagirathi on its left bank.

Day 06: Uttarkashi – Guptkashi (220kms/8-9hr)
After a very early Breakfast, leave for Guptkasi. a late lunch is Scheduled en Route molgarh. After lunch, Continue your journey and today for the first time see the Beautiful River Mandakni. Travel along side the River to reach Guptakashi late in the Evening, Overnight Stay at Hotel.

Day 07: Guptkashi - Kedarnath (30kms by road& 14kms Trek)
Morning drive to Gaurikund, Trek start from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (3584 mts) on foot or on by pony / Doli. Arrive by late Afternoon on Arrival Check in to the Tourist Bunglow/Ashram. After Frehning Up, Perform Pooja and also Darshan at Shri Kedarnath ji. In the Evening also Visit Adi Shankracharya Samadhi behind the Temple. Overnight at the Ashram or Tourist Bunglow.
(Tour members should carry personal medicines, heavy woolen, toiletries and clothes)

Gaurikund: At a distance of 5kms from Sonprayag and at an altitude of 1982 meters., one can take bath in the hot water pond here and visit the Gauri Temple . This is the place where Goddess Parvathi meditated to attain Lord Shiva. It is the base for a trek to Kedarnath.

Kedarnath Temple : The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The r! emaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madhmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar.

Kedarnath Temple:- The present temple built in 8th century AD by Adi Guru Shankaracharya lies adjacent to the site of an ancient temple built bu Pandavas. Temple has a Conical Lingam - the assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. The temple is more than 1000 year old. Behind the Kedarnath temple lies the samdhi of final resting place of Adi Guru Shankaracharya. It is belived that after establishing the four dham in India he went for his Samadhi at an early age of 32 years….

Day 08: Kedarnath – Guptkashi / Rudraprayag (14Kms Down Trek & 75kms/3hr by Road)
Early morning, after Temple Darshan trek down to Gaurikund. Later, drive to Rudraprayag via Guptkashi. Check in Hotel at Rudraprayag. Night Halt.
Rudraprayag: It is the confluence of river Mandakini and river Alaknanda.

Day 09: Rudraprayag - Badrinath (165kms/7hr)
After Breakfast leave for Badrinath via Joshimath. Check in Hotel. Later at evening visit Badrinath Temple for Aarti. Overnight stay.

Badrinath:- Cradled in the twin Mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holies of the four main shrines-badrinath along the left bank of Alaknanda with the towering Neelkanth peak as the splendid backdrop. Once the spot was carpeted eith “Badri”or wild berries and hence was famous as Badrivan.

Legend has it when the ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity, the earth was unable to with stand the force of its descent, There for the mighty ganga was split in to 12 holy channels, Alaknanda was one of then that later became the abode of Loard Vishnu or Badrinath Ji…..

Badrinath one of the 'Four Dhams' is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage spots of the country and is situated at an elevation of 3,133 meters, This revered spot was once carpeted with wild berries. Thus the place got the name "Badri van", meaning "forest of berries".

Tapt Kund : Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath temple.

Narad Kund : A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.

Brahama Kapal : A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda. Hindus perform proppitiating rites for their deceased ancestors.

Sheshnetra : 1.5kms. away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag's eye.

Charanpaduka : 3kms. away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is seen on a boulder.

Mata Murty Temple : Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. Other important temples include Sesh Netra Temple , Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka.

Mana Village : Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet .

Vasundhara : As the name suggests, vasundhara is a magnificent water fall. This place is 5 kms. from Badrinath out of which 2 kms. is motorable upto Mana.

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.

Day 10: Badrinath – Joshimath (44kms/3hr) - Pipalkoti (85kms/4hr) -  Rudraperyag (180kms/6-7hr)
Early morning, pilgrims after having a bath in the Taptkund have the Darshan of Badrivishal. Brahamakapal is significant for Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sight seeing spot like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the "Mukh" of the Saraswati River . Just within the three kms of Badrinathjee. Later drive back to Joshimath - Pipalkoti -  Rudraperyag. Check in Hotel. Overnight stay. Rudraperyag

Joshimath is situated on the slopes above the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga. Of the four 'Maths' established by Adi Shankaracharya, Joshimath is in the Badrinath to Joshimath and installed in the temple for people to worship. There are many temples in the township most important is the temple of Nir Singh in commotion of Lord Vishnu. The left arm of this deity is with time and the popular belief holds that the day the the arm completely withers Badrinath valley will cease to exist and the Gods will transfer the residence into the neighboring Niti Valley at Bhavishya Badri. Joshimath is connected by regular bus service to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Badrinath and many other centres in the region.

Day 11 : Rudraprayag - Rishikesh – Haridwar ( 155 kms 7 hrs )
Drive to Rishikesh, the 'place of sages' is a celebrated spiritual town on the bank of Ganga and is surrounded by Shivalik range of the Himalayas on three sides. It is said that when Raibhya Rishi did hard penances, God appeared by the name of " Hrishikesh " and this area hence firth came to be known as Rishikesh. Later visit Rishikesh Temples & Sight Seeing – Laxman Jhulla, Ram Jhulla, Bharat Mandir, Shivananda Ashram, Parmarth Ashram.. Overnight stay. Haridwar.

Day 12: Haridwar – Delhi (220 kms drive 5-6 hrs )
Morning After Breakfast Drive to Delhi, On Arrival at Delhi transfer to Airport/Railway Station/Dropping point.

******* Tour ends with sweet memories take home *******