Helicopter Status for Chardham Yatra by Helicopter

Chardham has the most spiritual and religious pilgrims consisting of four Dhams, i.e., Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. Chardham is situated in the Uttarakhand state of India. Pilgrims of Chardham are surrounded by magnificent snow-clad mountains, lush green trees, and the river.

According to Hindu mythology, Visiting Chardham will give you salvation or moksha from the cycle of birth and rebirth and wash you all the sins that you have done till now. It is believed that everyone should visit Chardham once in their life.

Earlier, the Chardham Yatra is complicated due to its narrow lanes, adverse weather conditions, and rugged terrains, which makes this Journey physically challenging. But, now this Journey is not so physically challenging because the Government has provided the facility of Chardham Yatra by Helicopter, which makes your Journey hassle-free and less physically challenging.

So, Book your Namaste India Trip Chardham Yatra Package and get some refreshing moments between these beautiful natures of Chardham.

Here, I am mentioning a list of some Helicopter service operator companies that provide you the service of Chardham Yatra by Helicopter.

Helicopter Service Operator Companies

1. Pawan Hans

Pawan Hans is one of the regular service operators to Kedarnath Dham. They use Ecureuil B3/ Bell 407, six-seater helicopters to Kedarnath from Phata. Pawan Hans has emerged as the most experienced helicopter service provider. The helicopter service is available from May to October except for the monsoon season.

• Charter price:- Phata – Kedarnath = INR 2,399/- Per person (One way) Phata – Kedarnath – Phata = INR 4,798/- per person (both ways)
• The flight operates from – Phata
• Famous for:- Pilgrimage tour by helicopter
• The season for operation:- May to October (except monsoon)

2. Aryan Aviation

Aryan Aviation Pvt. Ltd provides the helicopter service to Kedarnath from Narayankoti near Guptkashi. They use Eurocopter AS350B3 and Bell 407 helicopter, a five-seater Helicopter from Guptkashi.

• Charter price:- Guptkashi – Kedarnath =  INR 4, 275/- per person (one way) Guptkashi – Kedarnath – Guptkashi = INR 8,550/- per person (Both way)
• The flight operates from – Naryankoti, Guptkashi
• Famous for:- Pilgrim tour by Helicopter
• The season for operation:- May to October (except monsoon)

3. UTAir India

UTair India is a subsidiary of Utair Aviation JSC, Russia, the Major helicopter operator in the world and the biggest helicopter company. UTair India has played a significant role in promoting the group of helicopter businesses in South East Asia. A certified company by ISO 9001:2015 with the highest degree of maintenance and safety standards.

• Charter Price:- Phata – Kedarnath  =  INR 2,399/- per person (one way) Phata – Kedarnath – Phata = INR 4,798/- per person (Both way)
• The flight operates from – Phata
• Famous for:- Pilgrim tour by Helicopter
• The season for operation:- May to October (except monsoon)

4. Himalayan Heli

Himalayan Heli has been operating since 1998 and is one of the most experienced helicopter service operators. Himalayan Heli is certified by ISO 9001:2008, which covers quality department, flight safety, maintenance, and flight operations. In 2015, they won the award of “Operator of the Year” at the 2016 Bangalore Aero India Show 2015.

• Charter price:-  Sersi – Kedarnath  =  INR 2,470/- per person (one way) Sersi – Kedarnath – Sersi = INR 4,940/- per person (Both way)
• The flight operates from – Sersi
• Famous for:- Pilgrim tour by Helicopter
• The season for operation:- May to October (except monsoon)

5. Arrow Aircraft:

Arrow Aircraft is India’s leading aviation company. They provide excellent service to their customers. If you are looking for Integrity, efficiency, and safety for Chardham Yatra by Helicopter, then Arrow Aircraft is a perfect choice.

• Charter price:- Guptkashi – Kedarnath  =  INR 4,275/- per person (one way) Guptkashi – Kedarnath – Guptkashi = INR 8,550/- per person (Both way)
• The flight operates from – Guptkashi
• Famous for:- Pilgrim tour by Helicopter
• The season for operation:- May to October (except monsoon)

6. Heritage Aviation

Heritage Aviation is one of the fastest-growing service operators Company, situated in New Delhi in 2019. They provide service of Chardham Yatra by Helicopter from Dehradun and service of Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter from Guptkashi.

• Charter price:- Depends on the package
• The flight operates from – Guptkashi and Dehradun
• Famous for:- Pilgrim tour by Helicopter
• The season for operation:- May to October (except monsoon)

7. SAR Aviation

SAR is among those companies that provide the service of Chardham Yatra by Helicopter from Dehradun and Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter. They use the AS350B3 Helicopter and Bell 407 helicopter.

• Charter price: Depends on the package
• The flight operates from – Dehradun
• Famous for:- Pilgrim tour by Helicopter
• The season for operation:- May to October (except monsoon)

8. Trans Bharat Aviation

Trans Bharat Aviation provides the service of Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter from Guptkashi and Sirsi helipad.

• Charter price:- Depends on the package
• The flight operates from – Guptkashi and Sirsi
• Famous for:- Pilgrim tour by Helicopter
• The season for operation:- May to October (except monsoon)

9. Thumby Aviation

They have contributed 40+ years in aviation and have rich experience in working with government bodies. They can fly in restricted and rugged terrains.

• Charter price:- Phata – Kedarnath = INR 2,399/- per person (one way) Phata – Kedarnath – Phata  = INR 4,798/- per person (Both ways)
• The flight operates from – Phata
• Famous for:- Pilgrim tour by Helicopter
• The season for operation:- May to October (except monsoon)

Helipads En Route and Charges of Helicopter Operators from those Helipads

Both-way Ticket Price ( Per Passenger)	Helicopter Operators	One way ticket price ( Per passenger)	Both way Ticket Price ( Per Passenger)
Sirsi	Heritage Aviation Himalayan Heli Service Pvt. Ltd. Krystal Aviation	INR 2,470/-	INR 4,940/-
Phata	Pawan Hans UTair India Pvt. Ltd. Thumby Aviation Pvt. Ltd. Indocopters Pvt. Ltd.	INR 2,399/-	INR 4,798/-
Guptkashi	Aryan Aviation Aero Aviation Ltd.	INR 4,275/-	INR 8,550/-

Latest Ticket Prices from Various Helipads to Kedarnath

One-way ticket price ( Per Passenger)	To	One-way ticket price ( Per Passenger)	Both way Ticket Price ( Per Passenger)
Sirsi	Kedarnath	INR 2,470/-	INR 4,940/-
Phata	Kedarnath	INR 2,399/-	INR 4,798/-
Guptkashi	Kedarnath	INR 4,275/-	INR 8,550/-
Govindghat	Ghangaria	INR 2,895/-	INR 5,790/-

So, above is the list of Helicopter operators that provide Chardham helicopter Yatra from the various helipads. So, grab your package of Chardham Yatra by Helicopter and head towards the spiritual Journey.

Uttarakhand Chardham Yatra Registration 2024

Only in 2024 will the long-awaited Chardham Yatra begin. On February 20, registration will open as soon as possible. Instead of travelling in person to the registration centre in northern India, pilgrims are asked to register online for this year’s journey. Each year, thousands of pilgrims give themselves a supernatural blessing. When COVID was established, there was no yatra, but now that the various travel options are available again, it is a great opportunity for all pilgrims. Registrations will be accepted until March 31, 2024.

More pilgrims are expected to arrive this year after a record-breaking 46 lakh pilgrims visited the Char Dham shrines last year. As a result, all district magistrates along the yatra route have been given instructions to determine the carrying capacity at each shrine, plan for lodging to be available nearby, strengthen the yatra routes, use JCBs to clear sensitive landslide zones, and maintain adequate cleanliness, health care arrangements, and waste management facilities throughout the yatra.

The temple committee has a very narrow timeline in which it must streamline the Darshan for Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines, said Yogendra Singh, chief executive officer of the Badrinath Kedarnath temple committee. If the number of devotees reaching the shrines is around 12,000, then it means that the time window for each devotee is only 3 to 5 seconds for Darshan.

He added that the committee is developing a programme to speed up the Darshan process by introducing a token system for routine darshans, while special prayers would be registered online (rudrabhishek). According to Singh, in order to take advantage of the numerous visitors to the temples, women-led self-help groups would be engaged to supply prasad (holy food) for pilgrims.

According to Kumar, accommodations and other amenities at Pipilotti, Helang, Pandukehwar, and Govind Ghat in the Chamoli district on the road to Badrinath would be improved a week before the yatra starts, and Char Dham assistance centres at transit camps will be activated. By March 15 the transport department must ascertain how many buses are operating on the Char Dham Yatra route and must submit daily updates on the state of the fleet. District magistrates are required to guarantee that all horses and mules used in the shrine regions are registered as soon as possible.

The daily pilgrimage camps for Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri were set by the state administration in May of last year at 15,000, 12,000, 7,000, and 4,000, respectively. Nevertheless, in response to complaints, the maximum was raised to 1,000 during the first 45 days of the yatra season. The local business community opposes demanding online registration for pilgrims and limiting the number of persons who can visit all four major sites.

According to Shailendra Matura, head of the Hotel Association Uttarkashi, a number of reservations made in advance had to be cancelled during the previous yatra season due to the restrictions. Because they leave hotel rooms unoccupied and damage the state’s reputation during the yatra season, we have made it clear to the administration that requiring people to register online and capping the number of daily pilgrims are bad ideas. The National Highways Authority of India, the Border Road Organization, and the Public Works Department have all been told to stop blasting by March 31 and put up signboards with electronic displays in hazardous areas.

On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, which this year falls on April 22, the gates of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham shrines in the Uttarkashi region will be opened. And the Char Dham Yatra officially would begin. On April 27 this year, the gates of the Badrinath Dham shrine will open at 7:10 am. The opening time of the Kedarnath Dham shrine will be on February 18. The Char Dham, which includes Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri, is visited by numerous pilgrims every year.

Char Dham Yatra: Badrinath Dham Yatra About to Begin. 12 Danger Zones Concern Travellers.

There is only a little time left for the Badrinath yatra to begin but the Badrinath highway, which is the only route of the yatra, has turned dangerous at a few places. More than a dozen danger zones have been recognized and are scaring the passengers. This is a direct result of the landslide caused during the widening of the highway route.

After the treatment of the old landslide zone in Paradeep, Maithana, and Lambagad, the landslides have stopped as of now. Right now, there are 13 different places between Gauchar and Badrinath where the hill cutting work is still under process. The work has resumed after the ban by the Supreme Court has been lifted. Other than this, the danger zones have emerged due to landslides during the process of widening over 15 different regions. The problem of landslides is a common one on the hills however it tends to increase during the rainy season.

The National Highway Authority of India or NHAI says that it is not possible to complete the highway work by rock cutting method during this current travel season. An action plan is proposed for the permanent treatment of the newly emerged landslide zone. In such a situation, safe movement on the highway during the travel season is no less than a challenge.

The work of cutting the rock to widen Badrinath highway road in certain places is yet to be done. Adequate machines and workers will be employed in the danger zone to ensure safety for travelers during the travel season. The cutting rock procedure will also be accelerated at night. Maximum care will be taken that the passengers will not be inconvenienced.

Road safety on the Badrinath highway is the priority of the administration. For this, Joint Inspection of NH, RTO and the administration team has been done. The administration will take steps for the improvement and security of the danger zone before the travel season.

There are danger zones at many places on the Badrinath highway. It has been inspected and marked. If the concerned department does not adopt security measures here, then the police will deploy police personnel for safe movement, so that the pilgrims do not face any problems.

Yamunotri Trekking Route, Tips and Preparation

About Yamunotri Dham

Yamunotri Mandir

Situated at a height of 10,804 feet above sea level this Dham is located at the left bank of the holy River Yamuna and is a part of the holy Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. This sacred shrine is also famed for being the westernmost pilgrimage centres in the Garhwal region of Himalayas. The approach towards the temple is extremely difficult due to its location on the point of the emergence of River Yamuna. The entire temple is set amidst the thick, lush greenery with cascading waterfalls dotting the region as far as the eyes can see makes the Yamunotri dham yatra worth it. The temple throws its door open for Darshan during the eve of ‘Akshaya Tritiya’(generally during the last week of April) where the temple swarms with devotees and Yatris; the holy doors are closed for Darshan on the day of Diwali (mid October or first week of November). The source of River Yamuna is located on the nearby Kalind Mountain range from where the river trickles down giving life to everywhere it passes through.

Yamunotri Trekking Route:

Yamunotri Trek Route

The entire trekking route is clearly marked and narrow which is attended by a throng of yatris who come for Darshan during the open seasons. One of the best routes for Yamunotri trek is via Dehradun and Barkot. From Hanuman chatti the main temple shrine is located at a distance of 13 kms and from Janki chatti this distance is 6 kms. The motorable road reaches up to Janki Chatti through Syana Chatti, Rana Chatti and Hanuman Chatti which are at a distance of 50 kms from Barkot. The trekking route to Yamunotri offers extremely serene and scenic views of the valley below complete with the gushing turquoise river water. The route goes from two hours of ascent and an hour of descent. Yamunotri is known for being extremely well connected from other holy sites of Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri and Chamba.

Tips for Yamunotri Dham Yatra

• The complete route for Yamunotri Dham trekking is dotted with numerous shelters and rest stops for the convenience of the yatris, which offers a few food and snacks items.
• The trekking route remains covered in thick snow during the winter seasons and makes trekking all the more difficult to cover.
• There are dolis and ponies available for people who are physically or mentally disabled.
• If you want to explore some of your winter trekking routes then Yamunotri trek can be your best option.
• There are regular bus services available from Mussoorie and Dehradun to Barkot from where you can hire a shared taxi or jeep heading till Janki Chatti.
• There are a number of accommodation facilities available here in the form of hotels, ashrams and Dharamshalas offering a stay like a hostel dormitory. There is also a GMVN tourist rest stop located at Janki Chatti.

Preparation to do before heading towards the holy Yamunotri Dham

• It is important for you to be physically fit before heading out for the Dham Yatra, which can begin by taking up 30 minutes of walking everyday prior to the commencement of your Yatra.
• Along with regular physical activity it is also important to have a well-balanced, nutritious diet to keep you healthy and energetic throughout the duration of your char Dham Yatra.
• Be sure to carry chocolates and energy bars during the trekking route which gives your body an energy boost in case you feel tired or lethargic while walking.
• It is important for you to carry your medicines along with you since there are no medical shops available on the trekking trail. Be sure to include antiseptic cream, foot cream, band aids and other relevant medications like pain killers and antibiotics.

History of Badrinath Dham

As per the records hidden in time, there is as such no records in history regarding the origin of this much revered shrine. However, the temple seems to have existed right from the Vedic era. The temple of Badrinath is an abode of Lord Vishnu referred to as Badrinarayan here. Badrinath Dham is one of the Chardhams of the Chota Chardham Circuit. The Chota Chardham Yatra Pilgrimage winds up with your visit to Badrinath dham, a Vaishnavite pilgrimage center perched atop Narayan Parvat at an elevation of 3133m above sea level. The temple stands along River Alakananda and beside Tapt Kund; a thermal spring. The temple comes within Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. A Badrinath Dham Yatra Package takes you on a tour of one of the most ancient shrines of Lord Vishnu high up in the Garhwal Himalayas.

In ancient texts it has been told that Badrinath temple before becoming a Hindu pilgrimage center had been a Buddhist monastery. That was the era of King Ashoka’s rule when Badrinath was not a Hindu temple but a Buddhist Vihara. The frontal colorful façade of the monastery alludes to the above tale as it very much resembles the entrance of a Buddhist monastery. It is said that Adi guru Shankaracharya expelled the Buddhist monks from the Vihara before converting into a Hindu temple of Lord Vishnu. The Shaligram Shila idol of Lord Vishnu that we get to see in the temple was re-enshrined by Adi Guru Shankaracharya around 8th century AD after he managed to revive the idol from the depths of Narad Kund. In the ancient text; Skanda Purana, descriptions of how Adi guru revived the idol has been given. Also, this Puranic literature gives several other descriptions of Badrinath dham. “There are several sacred shrines in heaven, on earth, and in hell; but there is no shrine like Badrinath” says the Skanda purana.

Many fascinating mythical tales also allude to the origin of Badrinath dham. According to a legend the region of Badrinath was initially inhabited by Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati whom Vishnu tricked out of the place to encroach upon the area and make it his own dwelling place. It happened like this-

One day as Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati returned from stroll, they saw a baby at their doors crying bitterly. The mother in Parvati urged her to pick the baby up and comfort him but Lord Shiva tried to stop her. He knew well that this wasn’t a baby but Vishnu in disguise. But Parvati refused to listen and picked up the baby, comforted it and fed it.

The baby too was happy to be in her lap. Soon afterwards, Parvati along with Lord Shiva went to bathe in the nearby thermal springs. When they returned they found the entrance of their dwelling place locked from within. It was under the grip of Lord Vishnu who had tricked them out of their house and made it his own. And that’s how the place became an abode of Vishnu; i.e. Lord Badrinarayan who came to reside in Badrinath for the rest of the ages. A temple was built in his honor at the place and it later came to be regarded one of the much revered Chardhams of the Chota Chardham Circuit. Lord Vishnu undertook rigorous penance at the place and his consort Mahalaxmi took the form of a massive Badri tree or wild berry tree to shield him from the scorching rays of the sun. This explains why lord Vishnu is referred to as Badrinarayan at this place. Even till date there are many shady Badri trees growing in and around the Badrinath dham.

Char Dham Yatra Travel Guide

‘Char Dham’ is one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations for the Hindus. Sinners head to Char dhams for sin ablution; pious Hindus head to Char Dhams to seek God and bask in the spirituality that pervades the very environment of the place; atheists head to the Char Dhams in their sheer desperation to discover what it is that pulls thousands to the place each day. If you have a mind to embark on a Chardham yatra, this travel guide below might help:

Chardham Uttarakhand

A holy pilgrimage tour conducted in the Uttarakhand area through the four major pilgrimage centers is called the Chota Char Dham Yatra. The greater Char Dham circuit includes pilgrimage centers such as Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri and Rameshwaram. This Yatra is of utmost importance to the Hindus and all Hindus are recommended to visit the Char Dhams at least once in your lives. Those who cannot manage the greater circuit have to suffice themselves by visiting the Chota Chardhams of Uttarakhand which is equally important.

This tour in fact is probably one of the best religious trips that Hindus can make as it gets them across several celebrated shrines of Badrinath, Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath.

Why is It Called Chota’ Chardham Yatra?
The term ‘Chota’ is added to the Yatra in order to differentiate it from the typical Char Dham Yatra that is spread across the length and breadth of the country.

How Does Your Char Dham Yatra Start?
Generally you start your yatra by visiting the Yamunotri shrine first, followed by Gangotri, then Kedarnath and finally Badrinath at the peak. Rishikesh or Haridwar is often the beginning point of Chardham yatra. You have to arrive to these places either by bus or train.

All About The Different Shrines & Relevant Travel Details:

Let us now have a look at the different pilgrimage centers separately:-

Kedarnath

Kedarnath Temple

In the Himalayas at Kedarnath by the region of Garhwal is located the Kedarnath Temple which is extremely pious and holy. This temple is a tribute to Lord Shiva. The purity of the Temple is increased due to the River Mandakini that flows besides it. Kedarnath is available from trekking for tourists only from the months of April to November. During the other times, the climatic conditions are too extreme for tourists not recommended at all as the roads become inaccessible too. From Gaurikund, travelers need to take a trek of about 14 km to reach this pious destination. Ponys and machans are also available for pilgrims.

[You may like to read about Kedarnath Sightseeing ]

Badrinath

Badrinath temple is another well known religious shrine in Uttarakhand. It is given an excellent view due to the river Alaknanda that flows besides it. This pious temple is a Vaishnava site and is a tribute to Lord Vishnu. It is a renowned site not only for the Chota Char Dham Yatra but also for the bigger Char Dham Yatra and 108 Divya Desams. The temple is opened annually between the months of April and November. Post-November, the weather conditions make the Badrinath temple inaccessible for pilgrims. There is a hot sulphur spring named the Tapt Khund which has huge medicinal values in it and is one of the main standout features of the Badrinath temple. All through the year, the spring maintains a temperature of 45 Degrees Celsius.

Gangotri

Gangotri Temple is another religious shrine that is situated in the district of Uttarkashi. It is known as the seat of Goddess Ganga. There is a mythological importance for this temple as the belief is that Goddess Ganga started flowing as a river from this point onwards to wash away the sins committed by the predecessors of King Bhagiratha. The temple is a massive 20 feet tall structure that has been constructed with white granite that is from the 18th century. The most recommended phases of visiting the temple in a year are during the May-June and September-October periods. The Gangotri temple is privileged to have the River Bhagirathi flowing beside it along with being the point of origin of River Ganga and the shrine is also a part of the Greater Himalayas.

Yamunotri

Yamunotri Dham

Yamunotri temple is located in the district of Uttarkashi and is located at the Garhwal Himalayas. This temple has been constructed as a tribute to Goddess Yamuna and the deity here has been constructed using black marble. At least a day’s travel is needed to reach the Yamunotri temple from the different towns of Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh. For reaching the main temple, pilgrims need to complete a trek of 13 km from Hanuman Chatti as well as 6 km from Janki Chatti. Another option that can be taken by pilgrims is the usage of palanquins or horses for this purpose. You can witness mind-blowing visuals here with the stunning waterfalls coupled with the scenic locales of the Himalayas giving you the ultimate experience. This temple can be visited by pilgrims from the months of May to November. Presence of two hot springs namely Surya Kund and Gauri Kund provide a great relief for the pilgrims who can also avail guest houses or ashrams located nearby for food and accommodation. Bookings for the same can be done in advance to prevent uncomfortable situations.

Overall, the Chota Char Dham Yatra is a must-visit experience for Hindus as well as other tourists who are seeking a religiously blissful experience.