🌄 Places to Visit During Chardham Yatra – Complete Travel Guide

🌄 Complete Guide: Places to Visit during Chardham Yatra

The Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand is not just about visiting the four shrines – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The entire journey passes through the Garhwal Himalayas, which are full of sacred temples, rivers, confluences, valleys, waterfalls, and villages with rich mythology.

During the Char Dham Yatra, pilgrims not only visit the four sacred shrines but also explore many famous places enroute, nearby, and slightly off-route. From the holy Prayags, Dhari Devi, and Joshimath to nearby gems like Mana Village, Vasudhara Falls, and Harsil Valley, and off-route wonders such as Auli, Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib, Chopta, and Tungnath Temple – each destination adds spiritual and natural charm to the journey.

Here is the most detailed list of places to visit during and around Char Dham Yatra.

🛣️ Important Places Enroute Char Dham Yatra

1. Haridwar – Gateway to Char Dham

• Distance: Base point (0 km)
• Highlights: Har Ki Pauri, Ganga Aarti, Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple.
  👉 Most yatras start with a holy dip in the Ganga at Haridwar.

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2. Rishikesh – Yoga Capital of the World

• Distance: 25 km from Haridwar
• Highlights: Triveni Ghat, Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Parmarth Niketan Aarti.

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3. Devprayag – First Prayag (Alaknanda + Bhagirathi = Ganga)

• Distance: 75 km from Rishikesh
• Travel Time: 3 hrs drive
  👉 The holy confluence where River Ganga is born. Also visit Raghunathji Temple.

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4. Srinagar (Garhwal)

• Distance: 35 km from Devprayag
• Highlights: Kamleshwar Mahadev Temple, Dhari Devi Temple nearby.

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5. Dhari Devi Temple

• Distance: 15 km from Srinagar, 19 km before Rudraprayag
• Travel Time: 30 min drive
  👉 Dedicated to Goddess Kali’s manifestation, protector of the Char Dham. Idol’s upper part is in Dhari Devi, while the lower part is in Kalimath Temple.

💡 Pilgrims believe Dhari Devi changes form – child (morning), young woman (afternoon), old lady (evening).

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6. Rudraprayag – Second Prayag (Alaknanda + Mandakini)

• Distance: 34 km from Srinagar
• Highlights: Rudranath Temple, Koteshwar Mahadev Cave Temple.

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7. Karnaprayag – Third Prayag (Alaknanda + Pindar)

• Distance: 33 km from Rudraprayag
• Highlights: Uma Devi Temple, Karna Temple (linked to Mahabharata warrior Karna).

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8. Nandaprayag – Fourth Prayag (Alaknanda + Nandakini)

• Distance: 21 km from Karnaprayag
• Highlights: Gopalji Temple.

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9. Joshimath – Gateway to Badrinath & Auli

• Distance: 70 km from Nandaprayag
• Highlights:
  • Narsingh Temple – winter seat of Lord Badrinath.
  • Shankaracharya Math – one of the four maths established by Adi Shankaracharya.
  • Ropeway to Auli – famous ski destination.

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10. Vishnuprayag – Fifth Prayag (Alaknanda + Dhauliganga)

• Distance: 12 km from Joshimath
• Highlights: Vishnu Temple at the confluence.

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11. Pandukeshwar

• Distance: 22 km from Joshimath, enroute Badrinath
• Highlights:
  • Yogadhyan Badri Temple – one of the Sapta Badri temples.
  • Believed to be founded by Pandu (father of Pandavas).

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12. Govindghat

• Distance: 22 km from Joshimath
• Highlights: Starting point for treks to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib.

📍 Enroute Attractions (Directly on Char Dham Yatra Route)

These are the main enroute attractions during Char Dham Yatra. From Haridwar and Rishikesh to the sacred Prayags and famous temples like Dhari Devi, Joshimath, and Gaurikund, each stop adds spiritual and natural charm to the journey. Distances, travel times, and highlights are given below for quick reference.

Place	Distance (from nearest point)	Travel Time	Highlights
Haridwar	Starting base	–	Har Ki Pauri, Ganga Aarti, Mansa Devi Temple
Rishikesh	25 km from Haridwar	1 hr	Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Triveni Ghat
Devprayag	75 km from Rishikesh	3 hrs	Confluence of Bhagirathi & Alaknanda – origin of Ganga
Dhari Devi Temple	15 km from Srinagar	30 min	Guardian Goddess of Char Dham
Rudraprayag	34 km from Srinagar	1.5 hrs	Confluence of Mandakini & Alaknanda
Karnaprayag	33 km from Rudraprayag	1.5 hrs	Confluence of Pindar & Alaknanda, Karna Temple
Nandaprayag	21 km from Karnaprayag	1 hr	Confluence of Nandakini & Alaknanda
Joshimath	70 km from Nandaprayag	3 hrs	Narsingh Temple, Shankaracharya Math
Vishnuprayag	12 km from Joshimath	30 min	Confluence of Dhauliganga & Alaknanda
Pandukeshwar	22 km from Joshimath	1 hr	Yogadhyan Badri Temple (Sapta Badri)
Govindghat	22 km from Joshimath	1 hr	Base for Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahib
Sonprayag	20 km before Kedarnath	1 hr	Confluence of Basuki & Mandakini
Gaurikund	15 km before Kedarnath	–	Hot springs, Temple of Goddess Parvati

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📌 Nearby Attractions (Close to Main Temples)

These are the most popular nearby places to visit during Char Dham Yatra, including Mana Village, Tapt Kund, Charanpaduka, Vasudhara Falls, Satopanth Lake, Harsil Valley, Gangnani Hot Springs, and more – all located close to the main shrines.

Place	Distance (from main shrine)	Travel Time	Highlights
Mana Village	3 km from Badrinath	10 min	Last Indian village, Bhim Pul, Saraswati River
Tapt Kund & Narad Kund	500 m from Badrinath	5 min walk	Sacred hot water springs
Charanpaduka	3 km trek from Badrinath	1.5 hrs	Rock with Lord Vishnu’s footprints
Vasudhara Falls	9 km trek from Badrinath (via Mana)	3 hrs	400 ft waterfall, Pandava link
Satopanth Lake	25 km trek from Badrinath	2–3 days trek	Sacred lake, Pandava story
Harsil Valley	25 km before Gangotri	1 hr	Apple orchards, “Mini Switzerland”
Gangnani Hot Springs	52 km from Gangotri	2 hrs	Holy bathing kund
Janki Chatti	6 km before Yamunotri	30 min trek	Base for Yamunotri trek
Hanuman Chatti	13 km from Yamunotri	45 min	Trekking hub, Hanuman Ganga confluence
Bhairavnath Temple	500 m from Kedarnath	15 min trek	Protector deity of Kedarnath
Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar)	3 km trek from Kedarnath	1–2 hrs	Sacred lake, Gandhi’s ashes immersed
Vasuki Tal	8 km trek from Kedarnath	4–5 hrs	High-altitude glacial lake

🌄 Off-Route Attractions (Detours Worth Visiting)

Apart from the main shrines, pilgrims can explore famous off-route attractions during Char Dham Yatra like Auli, Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib, Triyuginarayan Temple, Gaumukh Glacier, Tapovan, Chopta, and Tungnath Temple. These spots offer spiritual vibes along with nature’s beauty.

Place	Distance (from base point)	Travel Time	Highlights
Auli	16 km from Joshimath	45 min	Ski destination, Ropeway, Himalayan views
Valley of Flowers	16 km trek from Govindghat	1 day trek	UNESCO Heritage site, rare flora
Hemkund Sahib	6 km trek from Ghangaria	1 day trek	High-altitude Sikh shrine
Triyuginarayan Temple	25 km from Gaurikund	1 hr	Venue of Lord Shiva & Parvati’s marriage
Gaumukh Glacier	18 km trek from Gangotri	6–7 hrs	Source of Ganga
Tapovan & Nandanvan	23–25 km trek from Gangotri	2-day trek	Meadows with Shivling peak views
Chopta	60 km from Ukhimath	2 hrs	Mini Switzerland, base for Tungnath
Tungnath Temple	4 km trek from Chopta	3 hrs	World’s highest Shiva temple

🌸 Places to visit during Chardham Yatra and near Yamunotri

1. Janki Chatti – 6 km from Yamunotri Temple (30 min trek/pony ride).
   👉 Base point for the final trek to Yamunotri; famous for hot water springs.
2. Hanuman Chatti – 13 km before Yamunotri (30 min drive from Janki Chatti).
   👉 Scenic village at the confluence of Hanuman Ganga & Yamuna. Trekking routes to Dodital and Darwa Top start here.
3. Saptrishi Kund – 10 km trek from Yamunotri (6–7 hrs).
   👉 Glacial lake at 4,421 m, considered the original source of River Yamuna.
4. Kharsali Village (Winter Seat of Goddess Yamuna) – 1 km from Janki Chatti (10 min walk).
   👉 Known for Shani Dev Temple & traditional Garhwali houses.

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🌊 Places to visit during Chardham Yatra and near Gangotri

1. Gaumukh Glacier – 18 km trek from Gangotri (6–7 hrs).
   👉 Origin of River Ganga, one of the holiest trekking routes in India.
2. Bhojbasa – 14 km trek from Gangotri (5 hrs).
   👉 Last accommodation stop on Gaumukh trek, surrounded by Bhojpatra trees.
3. Tapovan – 23 km trek from Gangotri via Gaumukh (2 days).
   👉 High-altitude meadow at 4,463 m, known for golden grasslands and views of Shivling peak.
4. Nandanvan – 26 km trek from Gangotri via Gaumukh (2–3 days).
   👉 Meadow across Gangotri Glacier, with views of Kedardome & Bhagirathi peaks.
5. Gangnani Hot Springs – 46 km before Gangotri, about 2 hrs drive from Uttarkashi.
   👉 Sacred kund for a holy dip before reaching Gangotri.
6. Harsil Valley – 25 km before Gangotri (45 min drive).
   👉 Scenic valley on the banks of Bhagirathi River, famous for apple orchards.

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🕉️ Places to visit during Chardham Yatra and near Kedarnath

1. Bhairavnath Temple – 500 m uphill trek from Kedarnath (15–20 min).
   👉 Dedicated to Bhairav Baba, protector deity of Kedarnath.
2. Vasuki Tal – 8 km trek from Kedarnath (4–5 hrs).
   👉 A pristine glacial lake at 4,135 m, surrounded by Himalayan peaks.
3. Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar) – 3 km trek from Kedarnath (1.5 hrs).
   👉 A small lake where ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed.
4. Triyuginarayan Temple – 25 km from Sonprayag (1.5–2 hrs drive).
   👉 Mythological marriage place of Shiva & Parvati, with eternal flame burning.
5. Guptkashi – 45 km from Gaurikund (2 hrs drive, on Kedarnath route).
   👉 Famous for Vishwanath Temple & Ardhnarishwar Temple.
6. Sonprayag – 20 km before Gaurikund (1 hr drive).
   👉 Sacred confluence of Basuki & Mandakini rivers, important halting point.
7. Gaurikund – 16 km trek base for Kedarnath (30 min drive from Sonprayag).
   👉 Starting point of Kedarnath trek, with natural hot spring & Gauri temple.

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🕉️ Places to visit during Chardham Yatra and near Badrinath

1. Mana Village – 3 km from Badrinath (10 min drive / 30 min walk).
   👉 Last Indian village, with attractions like Bhim Pul, Vyas Gufa & Saraswati River.
2. Tapt Kund & Narad Kund – Just outside Badrinath Temple.
   👉 Sacred hot springs where pilgrims take a ritual dip before darshan.
3. Charanpaduka – 3 km trek from Badrinath (1.5–2 hrs).
   👉 Rock with imprints of Lord Vishnu’s footprints.
4. Vasudhara Falls – 9 km trek from Mana (3–4 hrs).
   👉 400 ft high waterfall, believed to bless only the pure-hearted.
5. Satopanth Lake – 25 km trek from Badrinath via Mana (3 days).
   👉 Triangular lake at 4,600 m, linked to Pandavas’ journey to heaven.
6. Auli – 16 km from Joshimath + 4 km ropeway ride (45 min).
   👉 Ski resort & hill station with panoramic views of Nanda Devi peak.
7. Valley of Flowers – 16 km trek from Govindghat (6–7 hrs).
   👉 UNESCO World Heritage Site, best visited July–September.
8. Hemkund Sahib – 6 km steep trek from Ghangaria (4–5 hrs).
   👉 Sikh shrine at 4,329 m, dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, with a glacial lake.

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✨ Travel Tip:

• Trekking spots (Gaumukh, Vasudhara, Satopanth, Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib) need at least 2–3 days extra.
• Roadside places (Prayags, Guptkashi, Mana, Harsil) can be covered enroute during your Char Dham Yatra journey.

📌 Summary: Must-Visit Places During Char Dham Yatra

✅ On Route (Prayags & Temples): Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag, Vishnuprayag, Dhari Devi, Narsingh Temple, Pandukeshwar.
✅ Yamunotri Nearby: Janki Chatti, Hanuman Chatti, Saptrishi Kund.
✅ Gangotri Nearby: Gaumukh, Tapovan, Bhojbasa, Harsil Valley.
✅ Kedarnath Nearby: Bhairavnath, Vasuki Tal, Gandhi Sarovar, Triyuginarayan, Guptkashi.
✅ Badrinath Nearby: Mana Village, Vasudhara Falls, Satopanth Lake, Auli, Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib.