India is an ideal destination for spiritual trips for those seeking calm and peace of mind due to the abundance of religious monuments. The “Char Dham Yatra” is among the most revered pilgrimages as it is believed that one who completes it once in a lifetime becomes free from the cycle of life and death and attains salvation. However, there are various places of char Dham yatra. Every year, many pilgrims and tourists from India and other parts of the world visit Uttarakhand in search of the spiritual bliss of the Char Dham yatra. April/May to October/November is the best time to visit Char Dham yatra.

The Yatra begins from the Holy City of Haridwar, a primary Hindu pilgrimage site with millions of followers. Several Devotees visit this place every year to purify themselves by taking a holy bath in the river Ganga. Like Haridwar, many places in Uttarakhand are essential for maintaining Hinduism, and travelers are welcome to visit these places while participating in the Char Dham Yatra.

Unexplored Places of Char Dham Yatra

Tourist Attraction at Yamunotri

Janki Chatti

Janki Chatti is Located 7 KM from Yamunotri. If you want to take a break during your Yatra, these are the beautiful places of Char Dham yatra. The actual climb from the Yamunotri start from Janki Chatti, the last motorable before that. This area is particularly famous for its hot springs, where devotees can take a bath to relieve the journey’s exhaustion. The total distance between Janki Chatti and Yamunotri is approximately 6 KM. Children and physically fit pilgrims can complete the climb by walking. Also, ponies and palkies are available to rent for pilgrims who cannot climb on foot.

Kharsali

A small village of Karnali is only 6 KM from Yamunotri. It is famous for hosting the oldest “Shani Dev Temple”. Many Lord Shani worshipers visit this Temple before continuing their Journey to Yamunotri. Additionally, an idol of Goddess Yamuna is taken from this Temple during the winter months. Worship is performed here for six months when the Yamunotri Temple is closed and until the Yamunotri Temple reopens.

Tourist Attraction at Uttarkashi

Vishwanath Temple

Vishwanath Temple is one of the ancient and most revered Temple in the world dedicated to Lord Shiva. Legends have it that Lord Shiva come here to save Sage Markandeya from the death of Lord lord Yama. Also, the Temple is home to a “Swayambhu Lingam” and an idol of Sage Markandeya, Lord Ganesh, and Parvati.

Shakti Temple

Shakti Temple is a temple of Goddess Durga located opposite Vishwanath Temple. People come to this Temple to pray to Goddess Durga and see the huge trident known as “Shakti”, which is reversed there.

Bhairon Ghati

Bhairon Ghati, about 10 KM away, is the picturesque valley of Bhairon Ghati, where the Bhagirathi River and Jat Ganga meet. Bharathi is running down the valley covered with pine trees and running down the mountains, famous for the old “Bhairoan Mandir” that many pilgrims visit the Char Dham.

Tourist Attraction at Gangotri

Shivalinga

Shivalinga, a natural rock immersed in water, can be seen when the water level falls at a specific time of the year. According to legend, Lord Shiva was seated in the Temple where the Shivalinga is situated in the matted hair to acknowledge the river Ganga to reduce the destructive effects of its splendid flow on the earth.

Pandava Gufa

After the travel, the Pandavas of Mahabharat are said to have rested in the cave before going to heaven. To reach the Pandava cave, travel about two kilometers from the forest past the Suryakund Falls.

Tourist Attraction at Kedarnath

Vasuki Tal

After the challenging climb of 8 KM from Kedarnath temple, you can reach Tal. It is a reversed lake where Lord Vishnu is said to have bathed in the past.

Bhairav Temple

Bhairav Temple is situated from Kedarnath Temple; this Temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairavnath. Who is believed to be the protector deity of the city and the Temple during winters, when everything is covered with snow. However, the Temple offers breathtaking views of Kedarnath Valley, which are incomprehensible in words.

Tourist Attraction at Badrinath

Tapt Kund

Tapt Kund is a natural Hot spring with healing powers. Visitors must take a holy dip in hot water of this kund before entering the Temple.

Narad Kund

There is another holy Kund near Tapt Kund called Narad Kund. It is believed that it is here that Narada Muni wrote the “Narad Bhakti Sutras”. Additionally, this is a place where Guru Adi Shankaracharya found the idol of Lord Vishnu in the Badrinath Temple before it was installed.

Bheem Pul

According to folklore, Bheem is said to have built the natural rock bridge by placing a large rock on the Saraswati River during his ascent to heaven.