About Do Dham Yatra

Do Dham Yatra is the most famous pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. Do Dham yatra includes the visit two divine temples: kedarnath and badrinath temples.

 The Kedarnath temple is the most popular temple in Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is one of 12 jyotirlingas, and one of Panch Kedar. Not only for the pilgrimage, Kedarnath temple is a wonderland for trekkers.

 Second is the Badrinath temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Badrinath temple is located in the Chamoli district along with the bank of Alaknanda. The temple is most famous because Lord Vishnu is worshiped here in the form of nar and narayan. And this temple is also known as the holiest temple of Satyuga. The temple is the most visited pilgrimage temple in India and is an integral part of Char dham yatra which includes the visit to Puri, Dwarka, Rameshwaram and Badrinath temple. This is the only temple in this char dham yatra circuit which remains close for six months in a year. Due to heavy snowfall this region get completely covered with snow making it impossible to reach here. Temple opens in the month of April or May and closes again in the month of October or November.

Do Dham Yatra Trek itinerary 

Do Dham Yatra: The journey starts from Haridwar and Rishikesh; this is the nearest destination to start the journey. This journey is covered in 5-6 days.

Day 1: Haridwar/Rishikesh to Guptkashi

The journey starts from Haridwar to Guptkashi, and the journey begins in the early morning. The drive distance is approximately 203 km, and the duration is 8-10 hours. After reaching Haridwar, you can hire a taxi or bus to Guptkashi. An overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 2. Guptkashi to Kedarnath

The journey begins in the early morning to Gaurikund. Drive to Gaurikund; it’s around 32 km from Guptkashi. Last motorable road to this region is at Gaurikund. So from here you need to trek for and 16 kms to reach Kedarnath. Explore kedarnath and attend evening aarti. Overnight stay at the hotel. 

Day 3. Kedarnath to Guptkashi

After visiting Kedarnath Yatra and other places nearby like Bhaironath temple, Adi Shankaracharya samadhi, Retas kund etc,  start trekking down and reach Guptkashi by evening. Night stay will be at Guptkashi.

Day 4. Guptkashi to Badrinath 

Start the journey to Badrinath early in the morning. It is a road journey of 185 kms and it will take around 7 to 8 hours to reach there. So prepare to start early in the morning so that you can rech there before dusk. Road to Badrinath temple is very picturesque. 

Day 5. Badrinath to Haridwar

Continue the journey from Badrinath to Haridwar. After visiting Badrinath Temple, you can explore the place of Badrinath. This is the ending point of your journey, so enjoy the moments. And continue the journey to Haridwar. The drive distance is approximately 315 km, and the duration is around 7 to 8 hours.

About Do Dham Yatra temples

Kedarnath temple: Kedarnath temple is the most popular pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the references of the local residents in Kedarnath, Pandavas seeking forgiveness after the Kurukshetra war, in which the Pandavas sought pardon from Lord Shiva. Shiva decided to hide and transformed himself into a bull; however, Bhima was clever enough to capture his hump. This is the place where later the construction of Kedarnath Temple was done.

The Kedarnath temple is situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11.755 feet) in the Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand. Kedarnath temple is among the 12 jyotirlingas and Char Dham yatra, Panch Kedar. In the months of December to February, heavy snowfall begins in Kedarnath Temple. The temple is covered by snow, and it offers a beautiful and amazing view.

Badrinath temple: Badrinath Temple is the most famous temple in Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and the temple is located at an altitude of 3,133 m (10,279 ft) in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand along the bank of the Alaknanda river. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that once Lord Vishnu was sitting on the banks of the Alaknanda river in Badrinath for thousands of years, while Goddess Lakshmi also used to sit beside him, but as it was very cold and Harsh weather, she transformed herself into a tree shape because Lord Vishnu did not suffer from cold.

The Badrinath temple is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. The temple remains open for six months every year because of harsh and cold weather conditions. 

Ukhimath temple: Shiva Winter Home

Ukhimath temple: After the Kedarnath temple door is closed, the Kedarnath temple idol is shifted in Ukhimath for 6 months during a period of cold and heavy snowfall. The Ukhimath temple is also known as the Omkareshwar temple. The Ukhimath temple is open in late October and early November after the Diwali festival. And close in late April and early May.

Ukhimath temple is situated at an elevation of 1317 meters above sea level. It is located in Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The best time to visit the Ukhimath temple is from October to March because the weather is cool and pleasant and there is also a clear view of beautiful mountains surrounding Himalayan peaks.

How to reach Do Dham Yatra

By air: 

To Kedarnath temple: Helicopter service is available from Phata and Guptkashi to reach Kedarnath. You can also book chopper directly from Dehradun.

To Badrinath temple: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport of Badrinath. It is located at Dehradun. And you can hire a taxi or bus to Badrinath temple. .

By train: 

Kedarnath and Badrinath temples: the nearest railway station is Haridwar and Rishikesh railway stations from both temples. Its distance is approximately 220 km and you can hire a taxi or bus to both temples.

By road:

To Kedarnath temple: Your journey will start from Haridwar and Rishikesh by road. You can hire a taxi or bus and drive yourself to Guptkashi. Then hire a taxi or bus to Gaurikund. After reaching Gaurikund, you need to trek 16 km to Kedarnath Temple.

To Badrinath temple: the journey starts from Haridwar and Rishikesh by road. You can hire a taxi or bus and drive yourself to Guptkashi. Then go to Gaurikund and hire a bus or taxi to Badrinath Temple. 

Tips and tricks

Clothing:

• Warm clothes 
• Jacket 
• Trekking shoes with better grip
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen lotion, lip balm
• Raincoat
• Head light 
• Power bank (for phone)
• Sunglasses 
• Sanitizer

Medical kit

• paracetamol (for fever)
• cetirizine (for allergies)
• Knee cap
• Move spry 
• Combiflam (painkiller)
• Betadine 
• Cotton
• Band-aid

Documentation

• Valid ID proof
• aadhar card, pan card, voter ID card, and if any other requirement
• Biometric registration