Why is Akshay Tritiya Important – Spiritual Significance and Everything You Need to Know?

This year the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya was celebrated on 14th May 2021. Also referred to as ‘Akha Teej’ this is one of the most holy days in the life of Hindus across the nation. As a part of tradition Hindus make it a point to buy gold to mark this auspicious occasion. It is said that buying gold on this day will ensure prosperity and good fortune for the rest of their life. But what is the spiritual reason behind the grand celebration of this festival? Read till the end to learn about everything you need to know about Akshay Tritiya.

Significance of Akshay Tritiya

Literally speaking, Akshay means ‘never decreasing’ signifying never ending hope, joy and prosperity. Tritiya translates into ‘third phase of the moon’. When put together Akshay Tritiya is celebrated or named after the third lunar day of the spring month of Vaishakh according to Hindu tradition. It is also considered to be the best time to start a new venture or get involved with some new projects.

Here are some of the few importance or religious significance of Akshaya Tritiya:

• This is the birth day of Lord Parshuram who is one of the 10 Dashavataras of Lord Vishnu. Parashuram ranks sixth among the 10 different forms of Lord Vishnu. He is known for being one of the immortal ones and is believed to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga. His traits include – warfare, aggression and valour along with prudence, serenity and patience.
• This day also marks the starting of Treta Yuga after the completion of satyug. Technically speaking Treta Yuga defines the age of three where the length of this time period is 3 times more than that of Kali Yuga. The bull of dharma that is symbolic of morality is also seen standing on 3 legs instead of 4 during this time. One the other hand sat yug was believed to be the age of truth, which means literally. The Sat yug is said to last for 4,800 divine years and humanity during this time was governed by the gods themselves.
• Akshaya Tritiya is also related to Lord Krishna in one way. On this day Lord Krishna is said to have given Akshaya Patra to Draupadi when the Pandavas are said to have started their Vanvas or spending 14 years in the forest. This signified that they will never fall short of food to feed themselves.
• It is also believed that on this day Veda Vyasa is said to have started writing the grand epic of Mahabharata. Sage Vyasa is the son of Rishi Parashar and fisherwoman Satyavati. He is not only the author of the greatest Hindu epic overwritten but he is also credited for being the compiler of the vedas and also for having written some important works on the Puranas.
• Some also believe that it is on this holy day that the iconic Ganga River is said to have descended from the heavenly realm to the earth. This descending of the Ganga River from heaven to earth through lord Shiva’s braided hair is considered to be one of the most defining features in Hindu tradition. This life-giving river is now the holiest in India, worshipped by numerous devotees across the world and a holy place to put the mortal remains after the cremation ceremony.
• This is also the day when the holy Rath Yatra in Jagannath Puri Temple commences. Rath yatra or the festival of chariots is celebrated every year in Puri in the temple town of Odisha.
• Keeping all the significance of Akshay Tritiya in mind, it is also the special chosen day when the holy Char Dham Yatra begins. It is one this day that the temple doors of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri open up. This day is also when the idols of the gods and goddesses are brought to their original homes from their winter homes where they spend the whole winter months during which the accessibility to the main temples are stopped due to weather conditions.

What to Do On Akshaya Tritiya

As a common man who worships gods equally, Akshay Tritiya is the time to buy some gold and silver to mark prosperity and shower good fortune for the rest of the year. Puja of goddess Lakshmi is performed which signifies gold, silver and wealth. It is said that doing this will ensure that you are bestowed with good will, fortune and wealth.

It is also said that any business venture started during this day will definitely be a huge success and will flourish with flying colors. Feeding cows is also said to relieve sin and other Doshas that may have been causing problems in your life or business.

Deeply religious people make sure to observe fasting, perform Japa and charity work along with worshipping Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi.

How to Do Helicopter Ticket Booking For Kedarnath Dham

Kedarnath, one of the most eminent and revered shrines of Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of Hindus is visited by millions of devotees every year. This ancient Shiva Temple is nestled beautifully at a height of almost 3584 meters above the sea level and one needs to cover the challenging and pretty difficult trekking trail from Gaurikund to reach here.

But now those days had gone a long back when the pilgrimage was difficult to explore by senior citizens or people who were physically unfit as the journey is quite challenging and arduous. The initiation of Chardham Helicopter tour has made it more convenient and easier for such people to complete their dream of visiting the shrines of this holy circuit.

Kedarnath is one of the most important pilgrimages of this spiritual Yatra and hence there are many leading travel companies offering Kedarnath helicopter service from different destinations like Phata, Sitapur, Sersi, and Guptkashi.

Kedarnath Dham Helicopter Ticket Booking

Kedarnath Helipad

One of the most sought destinations of Shiva followers Kedarnath witnesses a huge influx of devotees coming from different corners of the world every year. Being one of the most prominent Jyotirlingas of the country, Kedarnath is reckoned for its impeccable spiritual aura and admiring architecture.

Kedarnath Temple is established at a good distance from Gaurikund or Sonprayag and can reach the shrine either by covering the trekking trail or by opting for Kedarnath Helicopter Booking.

Companies Offering Services Are

• Pawan Hans: One of the most trusted and reputed Heli service providers Pawan Hans provides daily helicopter services Phata to Kedarnath.
• Prabhatam Aviation: Another trustworthy tour operator in the state providing its services from many years and has been successful in achieving its aim.
• Aryan Aviation: One of the most leading aviation companies that is providing its impeccable chopper services from last many years. The choppers provided by them are generally 5-seater.
• Himalayan Heli: One of the most experienced companies that has been awarded for its awesome service in 2015.
• UT Air India: A famous private limited company registered under the Indian Companies Act 1956 is enlisted among top Heli service provider for Char Dham Yatra.

Helipads En-Route Kedarnath for Helicopter Services

Sersi Helipad

• Distance from Kedarnath: 23 km
• Time taken to reach Kedarnath Temple: 11 minutes
• Ticket Price: INR 2470 Per Person
• Altitude: 6500 feet
• Accommodation: There are many hotels established at Sersi and its nearby places like Sonprayag, Guptkashi, Phata, etc.

Phata Helipad

• Distance from Kedarnath: 31 km
• Time taken to reach Kedarnath Temple: 9 minutes
• Ticket Price: INR 2399 per person
• Altitude: 4921 feet
• Accommodation: Number of hotels are established at Phata and even in the nearby places.

Guptkashi Helipad

• Distance from Kedarnath: 46 km
• Time taken to reach Kedarnath Temple: 15 minutes
• Ticket Price: INR 4275 per head
• Altitude: near around 4800 feet
• Accommodation: It is one of the major stopovers of Kedarnath, hence many hotels are established there.

Sitapur Helipad

• Distance from Kedarnath: 22 km
• Time taken to reach Kedarnath Temple: 5 to 7 minutes
• Ticket Price: INR 4000 and more per person
• Location: It is located 7 km away from Gaurikund
• Accommodation: You can easily find accommodation as per your budget and desire at Sitapur itself and also the nearby places like Phata, Sonprayag, and Guptkashi.

Augustmuni Helipad

• Distance from Kedarnath: 70 km
• Time taken to reach Kedarnath Temple: 15 to 20 minutes
• Ticket Price: INR 4500 per head
• Altitude: 3280 feet
• Accommodation: No need to worry about the accommodation as good number of hotels are established there.

Dehradun to Kedarnath Helicopter Service

• Distance from Kedarnath: 266 km
• Time taken to reach Kedarnath temple: 45 minutes in general
• Ticket Price: INR
• Altitude: 2175 feet
• Accommodation: There are many hotels and resorts established in Dehradun so you don’t need to worry about your stay.

Why Should You Visit Kedarnath By Helicopter?

There are several perks and benefits that you get to avail with helicopter service and a few of them are enlisted below:

• Reduces the time span of journey: It is very obvious that if you go through the trekking trails then it is going to take a lot of time and you can save your time by opting for chopper service.
• Makes your journey easier and more convenient: It doesn’t only help in reducing the time of reaching the shrine but also reduces the stress level of the pilgrims and make it easier and convenient for them to cover this arduous journey.
• VVIP Pass: Some of the companies also provide you the facility of getting VVIP Pass with your Kedarnath helicopter tour packages, hence it’s a great deal.
• Worth the money: Many people believe that it is economical as compared to road journey and this is very true that the cost of Kedarnath helicopter ticket is little high but the convenience you get is worth the money. Also, covering the surface travel is not at all easy and you will be spending money on your food and drink en-route so there is not a huge difference in the price.
• Mesmerizing views of Snow peaked mountains: Witnessing the glory and charm of snow clad mountains from a height is really an eye treating and soul soothing experience. So, why to wait more? Let’s complete your booking procedure and set yourself to experience the alluring and admiring beauty of the scenic vistas.

How much time does it take to reach the shrine by helicopter?

It almost takes 45 minutes to cover the distance between Sahastradhara Helipad in Dehradun and Kedarnath Dham. 1 Hr and 30 minutes is more than enough to do the philosophy of Lord Shiva and seek his blessings for lifelong prosperity and wealth.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Helicopter service for Kedarnath Yatra

Below enlisted are few of the most common questions that run in the minds of every travelers planning for Kedarnath Yatra.

Q. Can we go to Kedarnath by helicopter?

Ans- Yes, thousands of devotees seek avail the facility of chopper service for Kedarnath.

Q. How far is Kedarnath Temple from the helipad?

Ans- Scroll up the page and you will get the answer as we have enlisted the details of each helipad.

Q. How can I book Pawan Hans for Kedarnath?

Ans- Go to their official website and contact them for your query and they will guide you for further process required.

Q. What is the cost of Kedarnath?

Ans- The cost varies according to the helipad and if you want to know about this in detail then scroll up the page.

Q. What is the limitation of baggage weight?

Ans- A baggage of only 5 kg weight is allowed to be carried by each passenger and you are not allowed to carry suitcase.

Q. What is the criteria of ticket concession for kids?

Ans- Children below 2 years of age can travel free in the chopper but there will be no extra seat allotted to them. Kindly check the terms and conditions of the company you are engaging for your trip as it might vary.

Q. What is the distance between the Kedarnath Temple and the helipad?

Ans- Only 500 meter and this distance is easily covered by the devotees on barefoot.

Q. Is there any chance of flight cancellation?

Ans- Yes, there are chances that your flight might get postponed or cancelled due to the weather conditions, hence you are requested to be ready to face such situations.

Q. Can we buy one way ticket to Kedarnath?

Ans- Absolutely

Q. What time will I spend at the temple if I have booked round way ticket?

Ans- You don’t need to worry about this as there is a gap of almost 2 hours between your flights, so enjoy your helicopter ride and Darshan at Kedarnath.

Kedar Ghati is Looming with this Sense of Impending Danger – This Lake Merged with Glacier

After the 2013 disaster in Kedarnath when everything was destroyed and shattered. Kedar Ghati has been restored completely again. However, after 6 years the main reason behind the Kedarnath disaster, Chorabari lake, is being revived. However, scientists of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology located in Dehradun have denied the development of such a lake.

What is the Case

Doctors running the health camp in Kedarnath Dham, over the past few days, claimed that a lake made out of glacier located at a distance of around 5 kms above the Kedarnath Dham was Chorabari Lake which is gradually getting bigger and larger in size. After this the information of this lake was passed on to scientists of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. Immediately after receiving this information, team of scientists in action is going to investigate this lake soon.

Why is there a Need to Panic?

A group of doctors serving health care in Kedarnath and the entire team of Six Sigma Star Healthcare Center is claiming this to be the lake. Chorabari Lake, also called Gandhi Sarovar, was almost disappeared after the devastating disaster in 2013 and the area started to appear as plain land.

When was the Lake Discovered?

According to the information, the team of doctors visited Chorabari Lake on 16th June with a team of state disaster response force, police and district administration, where they saw that the lake was again flooded with water. At present, Chorabari Lake is being aid to be about 250 meters long and 150 meters wide. Although this lake is flooded with rain, melting snow and avalanches.

Scientists studying the lake and its role in the 2013 disaster claimed that the lake would not be resurrected again. But the thing to note is that the lake that is made is not a Chorabadi lake. Chorabari Lake is situated just 2 kilometers away from the temple, but the question is whether the lake is at a distance of 2 kilometers or 5 kilometers away, the danger is still there. In such a situation it is vital to be serious because the cost of carelessness shown by visitors has already been paid by losing the life of numerous people.

DP Doval, the geo-scientific doctor of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, told that a few days ago, the Rudraprayag district administration had given us an information under which some people went to Kedarnath, about 5 km where there was a lake in the middle of the glacier. But the lake which is being told is not Chorabari Lake because Chorabari Lake is only 2 kms away from Kedarnath.

Along with that Wadia’s scientist said that he has been working in Kedarnath since last 10 years and there is no possibility of the revival of Chorabadi Lake. Because of the disaster in Kedarnath shrine in 2013, the lake of Chorabari was totally devastated. Now there is no question of the revival of the Chorabari Lake. Simultaneously, they feel that it is a lake made of some other glaciers, for which they will be able to comment on further research.

Scientists have said that when the glacier melts then small lakes are formed. This year glaciers are expected to a number of tiny lakes since this time the region had experienced heavy rain and snowfall.

Because of this, the glaciers are melting and collecting around it and forming small lakes and there is no threat to these lakes, but there is no such thing that Chorabari is being rebuilt. In the report issued after the disaster, earlier it was said that Chorabari Lake could not be resurrected again.

Chorabari lake or any other lake, there is no need for any name to destroy the water, the way the water is shaping a big lake is actually an indication for the safety measures. It is noteworthy that for the year 2013 disaster, the Chorabari lake eruption was considered the main reason for large-scale destruction in Kedarnath. The floods in the Mandakini valley, caused the mixture of the lake water with debris and boulder that was the cause behind the extensive destruction in the city.

Record Breaking Number of Pilgrims Arriving at Kedarnath

After the devastating calamity of 2013, Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand is witnessing a record-breaking number of pilgrims. The Char Dham Yatra had commenced on Akshay Tritiya and every day thousands of pilgrims or Yatris have been visiting it ever since then. The number of pilgrims is staggering this year and continues to grow with each passing day. this is the first time that the Char Dham Yatra is being visited by so many Yatris. The pilgrim count to Badrinath and Kedarnath are almost equal.

The pictures of Badrinath and Kedarnath are being shared by the Yatris that lets us know that the difference between the number of pilgrims between Badrinath and Kedarnath is only of 2,284. After the Uttarakhand disaster of 2013 all kinds of efforts were made to rebuild and revive Kedarnath which quickly gained limelight by the devout Hindus. These efforts created a massive boom in the number of Yatris here.

By Wednesday the number of pilgrims reaching all the 4 Dhams will be close to 18 lakhs. In 2018 about 27 lakh pilgrims had gone for the Char Dham Yatra in its first month itself. This was the time when most Yatris had covered Badrinath and Kedarnath temples. During the first month of on season last year there were 43,9473 while the inflow of the pilgrims to Badrinath were recorded to be at 41,667.

However, Badrinath Dham was visited around 3,16,060 pilgrims, more than the number of people who visited Kedarnath throughout the season. The mention for Kedarnath in this context is being witnessed this time. The reason for this is that last year the number of pilgrims visiting Kedarnath was 7,31,991. In this year during the 2^nd week of Yatra commencement in June 87,200 devotees have already made their trip.

Meditation Cave Is Also a Prime Centre of Attraction

Ever since the reconstruction and restoration of Kedarnath the number of Yatris coming to Kedar Puri has increased, but repeated visits by our honorable prime minister Narendra Modi has also helped in promoting tourism to this Dham in particular. Prior to the Indian Lok Sabha elections 2019 the PM had spent a night meditating in this cave which is located at a small distance from the Kedarnath temple. The tourists are now seeking booking to this cave to meditate as well.

“The number of pilgrims making their way to Kedarnath Dham has steadily increased from 2013 to 2019. Every activity in the Dham area have been done under the master plan. The increasing number of travellers is a result of these reconstruction activities. By looking at the number of Yatris gradually increasing at a steady rate it can be said that in the coming days the temple will see a rise in these numbers. However the number of pilgrims to all the char Dham temples will see an increase at this time.”

• Satpal Maharaj, Minister of tourism and culture, Uttarakhand.

How to Complete Chardham Yatra in Minimum Days

Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand is undoubtedly one of the most time taking and treacherous pilgrimage in India. People from all over the world and across the subcontinent visit these portals of spirituality to attain their Moksha and the journey to salvation cannot be done in haste, you will be required to put in all your effort and energy into it. However with the advent of technology and new age solutions Chardham Yatra can be completed in a minimum of 6 days. Although you will be completing your Darshan in a minimum amount of days but you will not be able to explore other nearby destinations since it takes a lot of time to explore these places. However if you don’t have a lot of time in hand and are willing to spend some money then you can also opt for a helicopter tour of Chardham which will cut down your travelling days from 6 to 4.

No matter what the case is, you have the option of choosing from both the options as per your budget. Given below are itineraries that will enable you to see how you can complete your Chardham Yatra smoothly and in a minimum number of days.

Chardham Yatra by Road (Minimum Days)

Your journey to Chardham will begin from Haridwar / Rishikesh which has earned its name ‘gateway to Chardham’. No matter where you are coming from you will first of all be transferred to this place from where your holy pilgrimage commences.

Day 1: Rishikesh – Barkot

You will be leaving Rishikesh early in the morning at around 6 in the morning and it will take you around 6 to 7 hours to reach Barkot, your first destination. You will be staying for the night here. You can also choose to stay in Jankichatti if you are planning on going for an early morning Darshan (open time – 6 am).

Day 2: Jankichatti – Yamunotri – Janki Chatti – Barkot – Uttarkashi

After completing your Darshan in Yamunotri temple you will head back to Barkot via Janki chatty which will take another 2 hours. You can choose to go for Darshan on a mule to save some more time instead of walking which will take up a lot of time. You will then make your way to Uttarkashi from Barkot which is located at a distance of 3 hours that can be quickly covered by a taxi or a cab journey.  You will be spending the night in Uttarkashi hotel.

Day 3: Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Uttarkashi – Guptkashi / Sonprayag / Phata

The temple of Gangotri is easily reachable and everything depends on the turnout of the crowd of pilgrims (open time – 6:15 am). After completing your Darshan early in the morning you will be making your way back to Uttarkashi from where you will start your journey for Guptkashi which is a journey distance of almost 7.5 to 8 hours. On reaching Guptkashi you can check into your hotel and rest for the night.

Day 4: Guptkashi / Sonprayag / Phata – Kedarnath – Rudraprayag

You will be required to commence your journey at as early as 3 am in the morning since the temple Kapat opens for general Darshan at 5 am in the morning. Leaving this early will allow you to escape the traffic jams here. From the last motorable road in Gaurikund to Kedarnath you can hire mules, ponies or Dolis and porter services to cover the trekking journey of 6 to 7 hours. Keep in mind that Kedarnath is the highest Dham in Chardham circuit and you may experience some symptoms of mountain sickness. After completing your Darshan you will be making your way back to your hotel in Guptkashi. Since this will be a tiring journey you will be staying the night in Rudraprayag which his situated at a distance of just 2 hours.

Day 5: Rudraprayag – Joshimath – Badrinath

If you leave early in the morning by car it will take you almost 4 to 5 hours to reach Joshimath. You can choose to stay in Joshimath since there are a lot of hotel options available here that are budget friendly or you can even stay close to the temple. You can choose to visit Badrinath for evening Darshan since the temple remains open till 10 or 11:00 pm at night. The distance from Joshimath to Badrinath is 1.5 to 2 hours. After completing your Darshan you will be coming back to Joshimath or go back to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 6: Badrinath – Rishikesh

If you leave early in the morning it will take you around 10 hours to reach Rishikesh from Badrinath and this day will also mark the end of your Chardham Yatra pilgrimage in a minimum number of days.

Chardham Yatra by Helicopter (Minimum Days)

This is undoubtedly one of the easiest ways of covering the Chardham Yatra journey in a minimum amount of days which is just 2 days. This is the perfect option for pilgrims from abroad and people with limited number of time in their hands. It is also a good option for people suffering with chronic and long term diseases which disable them from travelling to Chardham by road.

All the helicopter tour of Chardham starts from the Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun so this will be the first step for you.

Here is how you can complete your Chardham Yatra by helicopter in a limited number of days:

Day 1: Dehradun – Gangotri – Yamunotri

From Dehradun your trip to Chardham will start early in the morning (around 7 am) and you will be transferred to Harsil helipad near Gangotri. The flying time to reach Harsil is half n hour to 45 minutes. The distance between the helipad and Gangotri Dham is of just 30 minutes. Due to VIP Darshan Pass your Darshan inside the temple will be completed quickly and make your way back to Harsil helipad at around 11 am. You will then be making your way to the helipad at Kharsali from Harsil which is at a distance of just 1 hour. From Kharsali helipad you will be provided with ponies and Palkis for your journey further to Yamunotri which is a trekking distance of 6 kms. After completing your VIP Darshan you will be assisted back to Kharsali where you will be staying overnight.

Day 2: Kharsali – Kedarnath – Badrinath – Dehradun

From Kharsali helipad early in the morning you will be made to board the helicopter heading to Guptkashi which will be an overall journey of 1 hour. As per government regulations you will be required to change the helicopter and head on to Kedarnath helipad which will de board you at a mere distance of 500 metres from the temple. After completing your priority Darshan you will be made to head back to Kedarnath helipad where you will be boarding the helicopter heading for Badrinath which is located at a flying distance of just 40 minutes. From the helipad in Badrinath the main temple is just barely at a distance of 1 km which is covered in a cab. After your Darshan you will be made to come back at Badrinath helipad from where you will be heading back to Dehradun ending your Chardham Yatra by helicopter.

Latest Updates of Char Dham Yatra

One of the most sacred pilgrimage Yatra located in Uttarakhand includes paying homage at the four holy abodes in India including Kedarnath which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Badrinath which is dedicated to Lord Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri which are the originating places of the two holiest rivers in India i.e. River Ganga and River Yamuna respectively. As all these four sites are located at insane altitudes so there is no weather consistency in these regions.

Char Dham Yatra, a cherished dream of all Hindu devout is considered as a seasonal pilgrimage site which opens for half a year only. Its opening and closing dates are not consistent and get changed every year. It is always advisable and better to keep updated with the latest news of these pilgrimages to help you complete your journey without any hassle. The article contains all the recent updates related to the Char Dham Pilgrimage sites including weather, road conditions, conditions of the roads, new routes established (if any).

Kedarnath

1- Speakers will be installed en-route to Kedarnath from Gaurikund

While covering the trekking trail of 16 km from Gaurikund, devotees can entertain themselves with the devotional songs played on the route. The planning is under process and is waiting for the budget approved by the Department of Culture.

2- A stupendous look of Ganga Arti will be shown in the state

Department of culture is thinking to organize a grand Ganga Aarti at six places in the state. There will be a sound system and LED screens installed to display the Aarti.

3- A Ban on Artificial Flowers

Unlike other years, this year Kedarnath Temple will be adorned with local natural flowers on the occasion of its opening.

Badrinath

1- The valve of Adi Badri temple has been opened for the devotees

Chakradhar Thapliyal who is the priest of the Adi Badrinath temple opened the door of the temple at 4:30 am on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. So, devotees can pay their homage to Lord Badri.

2- Increase in the Rent of GMVN accommodations

Government run accommodations have increased their charge this year. So, be ready to pay accordingly. The rates have been increased from 5 to 25 percent in different guest houses located in different regions.

3. Way to Badrinath are Blocked due to Fresh Snow

NH to Badrinath has been blocked as the region has recently witnessed and is still witnessing heavy snowfall.

4. Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani got appointed as a member of Badrinath, Kedarnath Temple Committee

Anant Ambani, son of India’s one of the richest businessmen (Mukesh Ambani) has been appointed as a member of the sacred Kedarnath, Badrinath Temple.

Gangotri

1- Loksabha Election 2019- First polling booth established at a height of 3140 meters above the sea level.

It is the first time in history when voters can cast their vote in Gangotri as the Election Commission has established a polling booth in Gangotri at the elevation of 3140 meters above the sea level. Names of 45 voters have been added in the election list.

2- Work on Rishikesh-Gangotri Highway has been postponed

At five locations on Rishikesh-Gangotri highway, the work has been stopped after the official notice sent by the Tehri Forest Department. The department is saying that the construction work is hurting the environmental norms.

3- Tourists can explore Gangotri National Park from the 1st of April 2019

Uttarakhand government has decided 1ST of April as the opening date of Gangotri National Park. However, tourists visiting with registered companies can only visit the park from 1st of April and for general tourists, the entry will start from the 15th of April.

Yamunotri

1- Request to repair the Yamunotri highway before the commencement of the pious Char Dham Yatra

Due to the construction work of widening the roads, Yamunotri highway has been damaged due to the heavy loads of the vehicles running on the highway. The condition of the highway is so bad that it can cause a major accident at any time.

2- Yamunotri MLA laid down the foundation of the road

Kedar Singh Rawat, MLA of Yamunotri region has laid down the foundation of 8 km long road. The road connects Sunaldi Village with Jeshtwadi.

All Weather Road Construction work

Monitored by both central and state government, the all-weather road project is being constructed with the major motive of making the divine Char Dham Yatra possible for the entire year.

• Supreme Court has sent a notice to the road ministry of Uttarakhand- Forest department of Tehri and some activists have claimed that this project is violating the environmental norms and even the ministry has not undertaken the EIA (Environment Impact Assessment) clearance and hence the work has been stopped.
• Two laborers died in the landslide- two laborers working for the construction work of all-weather Char Dham Road had died due to the sudden landslide in the Tehri region of Uttarakhand.

Char Dham Railhead Project

Indian Railway department has planned to connect all four pilgrimages of Chota Char Dham in Uttarakhand via railheads and the best part is that the approval of this project is at its final stage. However, the railway has to face many challenges in constructing these railheads due to the steep mountainous terrain. The railway has to take care of the limit of roads, speed, capacity, and also the safety of the passengers. All these holy abodes of Char Dham are located at insane elevation with unique landscapes.

Roads After the Incident of 2013

Kedarnath witnessed a devastating flood tragedy in 2013 in which many of the devotees lost their lives and fortunately many of the devotees were rescued. That devastating flood washed away all the roads and in fact everything which came on the way of the heavily flowing water. However, a new route has been introduced to Kedarnath so that devotees can easily pay their journey to Lord Shiva.

According to the devotees and the locals, the old route was much better and could easily be covered and the new route is little arduous and rough which requires more physical strength.

The Story of Lord Shiva and Badrinath

Badrinath Dham is a holy Hindu pilgrimage destination locates in the Himalayas. An exciting and interesting tale related to it tells us how Lord Shiva had lost his home and came to this place and started living here permanently. But what exactly had happened?

There is a story about Badrinath Dham. This place is situated on the mighty and majestic Himalayas on an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level and offers some of the most stunning views of the surroundings. This place was initially resided by Lord Shiva and Parvati. One day Lord Shiva and Parvati had gone out for stroll. When they returned there was a very small infant on the doorstep of their home. Looking at the troubled child, crying and screaming, the motherly instincts were enabled in goddess Parvati and she went ahead to pick up the child. Just as she was reaching towards the child, Lord Shiva spoke up saying ‘do not touch that child’, Parvati replied saying ‘how are you so ruthless? How can you say this?’

Lord Shiva said ‘this is not a good baby. How did he come till our doorstep? There is nobody around. There are no footprints on the snow of his parents. This is not a child’. However, Parvati replied saying ‘I don’t care, the motherly feeling that resides within me cannot abandon this child like this.’ Saying this she picked up the child and carried him inside the house. The child became very comfortable and started staring at Lord Shiva happily. Shiva knew the consequences of this, however he only replied ‘alright, let’s see what happens’.

Parvati then quieted the child, gave him some milk till the child fell asleep. She then left the child to go for a shower with Shiva in the nearby thermal hot water spring. After both of then returned home they found that the house was shut down from the inside. Parvati was very surprised and said ‘who shut the door from the inside?’ Shiva replied ‘see, I told you not to pick up that baby, but you brought him home and not he has shut the door from the inside.’

Parvati Said ‘Now What Should We Do?’

Lord Shiva had only two ways – first was to b urn down the house to the ground and the second one was to find a different way and move on their way. He said ‘let us go somewhere else. He is your sweet child that is why I cannot touch him.

In this manner, Lord Shiva lost his own house and both Shiva and Parvati become trespassers in their own home. They kept on wandering and looking for their ideal place and they finally settled in Kedarnath. You may have the question in mind that ‘how did they not know?’ but you know a lot of things but still you let them happen.

Gangotri Temple, Uttarakhand – Gangotri Dham Yatra

Perched amongst the thick greenery of the Greater Himalayan ranges at an elevation of 3,100 meters above sea level by the banks of the holy river Bhagirathi, is the incredibly stunning white marble Dham of Gangotri. The temple is created by the iconic Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa, this gleaming white marvel serves as the seat of goddess Ganga and marks the spot where the heavenly river had descended to the earthly realm as a response to the prayers and penance performed by king Bhagirath to provide salvation to his ancestors and bring their soul to peace. This is one of the very few temples in the entire subcontinent that is dedicated to goddess Ganga and is also a crucial part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand along with Kedarnath, Badrinath and Yamunotri. A visit to Gangotri Dham remains incomplete since it is a part of the holy Gangotri Yamunotri Do Dham Yatra.

Legend:

There are a number of legends pertaining to the creation of this Dham however here is the most widely accepted belief:

It is said that after slaying all the demons on earth, the great king Sagar decided to stage an Ashwamedha Yajna in order to showcase his superiority and supremacy. This Yagya was interrupted by 60,000 sons of King Sagara who were misled into entering and disturbing the sage Muni who was in deep meditation. On opening his eyes, the sage cursed every son that their soul will not attain moksha until their remains have not been absolved in the holy heavenly river of Ganga and they all perished immediately. In order to get rid of this curse King Sagar’s grandson – King Bhagirath performed intense meditation to Goddess ganga who finally came down to the earthly realm granting moksha to all his bygone ancestors.

Excursion Places:

Harsil

Located on the highway heading towards Uttarkashi, Harsil is known for its scenic beauty and is a wonderful place if you want to savor some splendid sights of the blue open skies and lush greenery. Also known for its gleaming apple orchards Harsil is the ideal location of have some peace of mind amongst natural surroundings.

Dodital

Situated at an altitude of 3,024 metres above sea level in the district of Uttarkashi, Dodital is a high altitude freshwater lake which is also known for being the abode where Lord Ganesh is believed to have resided. It is the home to a specific type of Himalayan fishes ‘Dodi’ that is only available here.

Gangnani

This small scenic town falls enroute to Gangotri Dham and is known for being one of the most adored and scenic spiritual destination among people seeking a sense of spirituality in nature. Famous for its thermal hot water springs and overlooking mountain peaks, this place is truly a jewel in Gangotri.

Tapovan

After covering an arduous trek alongside the Gangotri glacier you will reach a clearing which is surrounded by picturesque views of the Gangotri landscape like tall green trees, clear open skies and a colorful collection of flowers that line every space. The place is named so since ever since the ancient ages sages and saints have visited this place for meditation.

How to Reach:

By Bus – Gangotri Dham is connected through a network of motorable roads which serves state run buses connecting a number of major as well as minor towns and cities. Taxis are available from different nearby locations like Rishikesh, Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Tehri Garhwal etc.

By Train – The closest rail head is located in the nearby holy destination of Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun and it caters to regular trains from different big and small destinations from all over India.

By Air – The nearest airport to Gangotri Dham is located in Dehradun which is the ‘jolly grant airport’ and it caters to flights from various different parts of India. From the airport you will be required to hire a cab service or beard a bus heading for Gangotri Dham.

By Helicopter – If you want to go on Gangotri Dham Yatra but have only limited time with you or you have someone who is unable to go on the Yatra on foot then a helicopter Yatra is advised for you.

Best Time to Visit:

Being located at a great height Gangotri’s temperature remains cold and freezing throughout the year. The best time to visit Gangotri Dham is recommended to be between the summer months of April and June, September and October. These months are quiet pleasant and is considered to be the most ideal time to pay your prayers and offering to the goddess. Monsoon months are not advised for pilgrims since this is the time when the entire region is covered in unexpected torrential rains and for some days even the heli services are suspended keeping in mind the safety of the pilgrims. With onset of the winter months the entire place gets covered in a thick stark blanket of snow making accessibility impossible and this is also the time when the Dham Kapat are shut down for six months and the idol of the presiding deity is shifted to its winter abode.

Accommodation Facilities:

Gangotri is home to a range of luxury properties like 3 star hotels that are on budget. You can easily fit your budget in the type of accommodation you want for yourself and the number of people that you are travelling with. Even if your budget is extremely tight then you will have the option of choosing from lodges, cottage stays as well as others. All these hotels are verified and come with only some basic amenities like hot water, clean washroom and good beds. The regions surrounding this Dham have a number of hotels and stay options available. Another pocket friendly option here is the guesthouse from GMVN which is also clean and offers some of the basic amenities just as the hotels here.

Food Availability:

You should be mentally prepared beforehand that you won’t be getting delectable food. You will be served with some of the most widely available and basic dishes like north Indian cuisines and Chinese dishes. These selections include food items like noodles, roti, vegetables, dal etc. apart from the restaurants there are food stalls and Dhabas also available that cater to you. Close to the Dham there are also a number of tea stalls available that will keep you warm and energized for your pilgrimage.

Opening Closing Dates:

The opening and closing dates of Gangotri Dham, just like every other Dham, is decided by the temple committee here. The Kapat of the temple opens up with the onset of the summer months of end of April or early May during the auspicious eve of Akshaya Tritiya. The temple remains open for duration of 6 months. However during the monsoon months of July to early September the helicopter services and other services for the Dham are halted briefly for a few days in these months for the security and safety of the pilgrims. The temple Kapat are then closed off for pilgrims with the onset of winter months from Late October or early November to March. During this time the entire region experiences heavy and intense snowfall and all the routes are completely cut off for visitation.

Winter Abode:

When the temple Kapat is shut down for Darshan for six months, then the idol of the presiding deity of goddess Ganga is transferred to her winter abode at the nearby scenic village of Mukhba or Mukhwa. This small holy town comes on the way to the Gangotri Dham and is visited by people looking to offer their prayers to the goddess as a part of their winter Char Dham Yatra including, Ukhimath (Kedarnath), Kharsali (Yamunotri) and Joshimath (Badrinath). The idol is brought down on the auspicious day of Bhai Dooj amongst traditional music and celebrations. The idol is placed here for a duration of 6 months when the main temple is shut down due to the presence of heavy snow that is responsible for making the journey impossible and the Dham unreachable.

Travel Tips:

• Since the Dham is situated on a great elevation, it should be kept in mind that you have to plan your Yatra accordingly and in time. Although you may choose the summer months of April to June it is advised for you to carry heavy woolen clothing items and winter wear.
• Make sure all your bookings and reservations are confirmed entirely and also that all your payments are made since people from far and wide visit this Dham as well as others during this time. This makes the place thronged with pilgrims and bookings are complete by then.
• Pack all your essentials like first aids and important medicines for the trip. Include items like – cotton, band aids, Dettol, gauze, anti-fever medicine, anti-diarrhea medicine, pain killers, cough syrup among other relevant medicines.
• There are a number of sightseeing options available for every adventure enthusiasts as well as for people looking to visit any place other than the Dham itself.

Month Wise Guide of Weather Conditions in Kedarnath

About Kedarnath Dham:

Established by the great saint, sage, seer and philosopher Adi Shankaracharya during the 8^th century and sitting against the majestic snow-capped backdrop of the Garhwal Himalayas, Kedarnath Dham is located in the district of Rudraprayag at an elevation of 3,583 metres above sea level. Literally translating into ‘the lord of the field’, the temple of Kedarnath is known for being one of the oldest and the most significant Jyotirlinga dedicated to Lord Shiva. Here Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Lord Kedar with the presiding deity being in the form of a triangular, shiny black rock.

If you are planning on taking this holy pilgrimage then here is detailed information about its weather conditions month wise:

• January – With the average temperature here touching -3.7 degree Celsius the overall temperature for the month of January remains freezing cold. The entire region gets covered in a thick covering of snowmaking accessibility impossible.
• February – The temperature during this month does not show any substantial changes where it remains at an average of -2.3 degree Celsius. Accessibility to the temple is shut down during these months and snow is also present in this area.
• March – This month experiences some significant rise in the temperature where it goes up till 1.2 degree Celsius and the snow starts to melt. The temple area is then cleared out of snow to make it ready for the on season.
• April – The temple usually opens up during the last week of April and the temperature during this month goes up till 5.6 degree Celsius while the temperatures drop substantially during night. This is one of the most preferred times to visit Kedarnath Dham.
• May – During this month the temperature rises up till 9.3 degree Celsius and there is an influx of pilgrims and tourists here. This is also considered to be one of the best times to visit Kedarnath.
• June – This is officially the summer month at Kedarnath where the temperature goes up till 11.9 degree Celsius. This is the time when Kedarnath Dham witnesses the most amounts of pilgrims and visitors.
• July – With the temperature hitting up till 12.3 degree Celsius this month marks the onset of the monsoon season. This is considered to be a dangerous time to visit Kedarnath Dham since the entire region remains prone to heavy and torrential rainfall along with unexpected landslides.
• August – This is the second monsoon month that is experienced in Kedarnath Dham when the temperature goes up till 12 degree Celsius. The temperature takes a dramatic turn in this month when it changes eventually from rainy to winter months. This month is also not advised for going on the Yatra to Kedarnath.
• September – The temperature here experiences a significant drop with average being around 9.8 degree Celsius. However if you want to have an experience of the freezing cold Himalayan winter then this is a good time to visit Kedarnath. Make sure you are bundled up on your winter clothing and accessories.
• October – The temperature falls to an average of about 5.3 degree Celsius and the overall weather condition here experiences a dramatic change. People visiting during this time are advised to visit with heavy woolen and winter clothing items. This month also witnesses some amount of snowfall.
• November – With the temperature dropping as low as 1.6 degree Celsius and the entire region getting buried under heavy snowfall, this is the month when the temple Kapat generally closes for Darshan and the Char Dham Yatra is shut down for the season. The temple Kapat closes off during the auspicious eve of Bhai Dooj.
• December – The temperature during this month continues to fall with the average temperature going as low as -1.4 degree Celsius. All access to the temple are shut down due to the presence of a thick and heavy layer of snow.

During the winter months and after the shutting down of the temple Kapat after incredible celebrations, the idol of the presiding deity is then shifted to its winter abode in Ukhimath. This is done so in order to allow the devotees and pilgrims to continue their journey for the Char Dham Yatra and offer their prayers and rituals to the lord there.

Best Time to Visit

As mentioned above, the summer months of May to July are considered to be the most comfortable time to go on this holy pilgrimage Yatra. It is advised for you to avoid making the Yatra during the monsoon months of July to September since this may prove to be fatal for you and your loved ones. In case you want to encounter lesser crowd then visiting this temple during the month of September to October is advised for you.

Top 10 Pilgrimage Place in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, a state lying on the northern side of India and is also known as “Dev Bhoomi” (the land of gods). It is named so as the state holds many pilgrimages including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and many others. The spirituality is lingered everywhere in the state including numerous temples, mountains, rocks and the water streams also hold spiritualism as per Hindu mythology. The state is the origin of most of the holy books like Vedas, Mahabharata and Ramayana as these books were composed here. Devotees from every nook and corners of the city get pulled towards this sacred city as the spiritualism lingering everywhere in the atmosphere of the state acts as a magnet. The Chota Char Dham Yatra is a popular pilgrimage of Hindus and is a dream pilgrimage of every Hindu devout.  The state holds many pilgrimages apart from Char Dham Yatra destinations and below is the mentioned list of top most pilgrimages of the state.

Haridwar

An ancient city located at the emerging point of River Ganges. Devotees flock in a very good number to take a dip into the holy river of River Ganga. There is a belief in their heart that if they take bath into the river Ganges then they will be free from their sins. Har Ki Pauri Ghat located in Haridwar is a chaotic place but witness reverent feeling to the pilgrims. The Ghat looks glimmer in evening due to the floating offerings including diyas (lamps) and flowers offered by devotees into the Ganga. Although the pilgrimage is huddled with pilgrims every time but during monsoon especially in the month of July the place becomes too crowded as devotees come with Kanwar s. Haridwar serves as the entrance to Char Dham of the state. Haridwar organizes Kumbh Mela which gets organized after every 12 years and it organizes Ardh Kumbh Mela after every 6 years. The pilgrimage not only offers spiritualism but also spots sites witnessing arts, science and the cultures.  Lush green valleys and the small ponds enhance the scenic beauty of the place.

Badrinath

An ancient holy town situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is one of the stop offs of Chota Char Dham of Uttarakhand which is perched at an elevation of 3133m above the sea level and on the banks of the Alaknanda River. The place holds a shrine Badrinath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Badri (Vishnu). The temple was discovered by Adi Shankaracharya during 8^th century. Rali, a traditional festival celebrated in the month of April which is celebrated by boys and girls for their future mates. Lush green trees comprises a dense forest is named as Badri Van as the trees which grow here are Badri trees. The traditional wooden Garhwali architecture is the major attraction of the shrine which gives an enriching treat to the eye. There are several other elements of the place like aquamarine lakes, towering peaks, sacred ponds and other water bodies make this place a must visited place.

Gangotri

An ancient and a popular pilgrimage settled in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 3100 metres above the sea level. The pilgrimage is settled in the Garhwal Himalayan range and on the banks of the river Bhagirathi. At a distance of around 19km from Gangotri town the Gangotri glacier is located which is the origin of River Ganges at Gaumukh. Near to the shrine a sacred stone is settled which also gets worshipped by the devotees as per the belief adopted from the legend. The legend states that King Bhagirath worshipped Lord Shiva at the same stone. The environment does not hold spiritualism only but also you can experience many adventurous activities like river rafting, camping, trekking ad skiing on the Himalayan ranges of Garhwal. Due to the insane cold weather because of heavy snowfall the temple is closed during winter season.

Kedarnath

Situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand the pilgrimage is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The idol of Lord Shiva in Kedarnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India and is greatly admired. The Kedarnath shrine is perched at an elevation of 3584metres near the Chorabari glacier heading its mouth towards the river Mandakini and is surrounded by snow peaked mountains from one side and is the pilgrimage which is flocked by millions of people coming from across the globe. The tranquility and the calmness linger in the atmosphere of the domain and are accompanied with cool and gentle breeze blowing amidst the Garhwal Himalayan Ranges. The ambience of this pilgrimage very pleasing and attracts a throng of tourists and gives them a proper relax from the hustle and bustle of their city. However Kedarnath is considered mostly as a pilgrimage but apart from this tag the place is also referred as a “Trekking Paradise”.

Yamunotri

A sacred place of Uttarakhand which is a part of Char Dham Yatra and is dedicated to River Yamuna. The shrine of goddess Yamuna is settled in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and is lapped amidst mountain peaks under which the holy river Yamuna flows. The devotees who come to pay their homage to the goddess come with a belief that if they take bath into the river Yamuna then they would get rid from all their sins and would save themselves from the before time death and any painful death. The shrine holds a black marbled deity of Goddess Yamuna and on the other side one can spot the white marbled deity of goddess Ganga. The temple is closed during winter seasons and gets opened as soon as the weather becomes favorable to do the philosophy of the goddess.

Rishikesh

A pilgrimage settled on the foothills of the Himalayas and at the convergent point of Ganga and Chandrabhaga is a hub holding several ancient temples, ashrams for meditation and yoga, several popular caves and numerous adventurous spots. It is the most admiring blend of spiritualism and myriad breathtaking experiences. River rafting in Rishikesh was a famous activity but the activity is banned now as per the guidelines of Uttarakhand government. This pilgrimage serves as a gateway of trekking in the holy state of Uttarakhand. Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula are the two major landmarks of Rishikesh which must not be missed by anyone. International Yoga Festival is a major festival celebrated in the month of March which is attended by people coming from all over the world. Being a sacred place the tourists might not get non-vegetarian foods easily and have to opt for the mouth-watering vegetarian delicacies.

Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple

Located in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand the temple is believed to be known as one of the Siddha Piths which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient temple is considered to be one of the most famous ancient temples of Uttarakhand. At present the Shivaling of the temple has been replaced with an idol of Lord Shiva in the form of performing Tandava. However the Shivaling has not been kept outside the temple premise in fact it is kept just under the idol of the Lord Shiva. A very popular festival of Lord Shiva “Mahashivratri” is celebrated in a very auspicious manner at the temple. Devotees offer water to Lord Shiva from the Kund which is present inside the premise of the temple. There are separate pools for male and female where they take bath before entering the temple.

Tungnath Temple

One among the Panch Kedar Temples, Tungnath temple is located at a distance of 3 km from Chopta and even the place is not so far from Ukhimath, Kedarnath and Rudraprayag. This temple is considered as the highest Shiva temple not only of India but also of the world. Similar to Badrinath the shrine was discovered by Adi Shankaracharya. The architecture used to construct the temple is Nagara style and is very small in size which can hold only 10 devotees at a time. Tungnath is not only a shrine known place it also hold trekking and some other adventurous activities. Inside the premise of the temple one can spot a black stone of almost one foot high which is considered as the hands of Lord Shiva. The origin of this temple is not known properly but is assumed that the temple is around 1000 years old.

Binsar Mahadev Mandir

Settled amidst the thick deodar forests on the Himalayan range near Ranikhet in Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped as Bindeshwar over here. The origin of this temple can be concluded by the idol of Mahishasura Mardini which is chiseled with the texts written in Nagar Lipi and gives the evidence that the construction of the temple was done during early 9^th century. The eye treating view of the surroundings of the temple which includes springs holding fresh water and cedar forests adds points to the beauty of this place and makes it a perfect tourist destination and a picnic spot.

Rudranath

The construction of this temple was done by Pandavas which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The shrine of Lord Shiva is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is considered as a third temple of the Panch Kedar circuit. Apart from being a pilgrimage Rudranath is also considered as a trekking spot in Uttarakhand. Similar to the deities of Kedarnath and Badrinath Temple, the idol of this temple is also shifted to Gopeshwar during winter season and is taken back to the shrine after the completion of insane cold weather. There is an annual fair organized in this temple every year on the full moon day around the festival of brother and sister i.e. Raksha Bandhan. Rudraganga flows near the Rudranath temple which holds an idol of Rudranath grey in color.