We escaped our everyday humdrum to clear the mind, exercise the body and expand the horizons. Although we decided to tag many temples along the way in different cities of India, this trip was dedicated especially for Char Dham Yatra. It turned out to be a spiritual quest seeking our own selves and I will kid you not despite of enduring challenges and discomfort we had the best time on this "Char Dham Yatra".
It had long been Ajay's dream to embark on this journey, but his greatest wish was always to share this 'yatra' with me. Although he had traveled extensively through this part of India for business over the years, he waited for the right moment—or perhaps, as fate would have it, the right time chosen by God—for us to visit together. And finally, in May 2023, that dream came true. 
We opted for the helicopter tour with the company called Heli Yatra, completing the entire Yatra in just 5 days and 4 nights. We were incredibly fortunate to experience the journey without any major hassle. The highlight of the trip, without a doubt, was the breathtaking views of the Himalayas from the helicopter, especially during our flight to Kedarnath Ji Dham. It felt as though we were in the presence of the divine, the "साक्षात्कार" of God. The purity of the holy rivers, the towering ice-covered peaks of the Himalayas, and the ever-changing skyline made us feel the presence of the Almighty at every turn. It was truly a journey that touched our hearts and souls. However the yatra encompasses the pilgrimage to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath holds immense spiritual significance and has to be completed in the same circuit.
(All the heading of the dham will take you to the visual reel of the dham that I created on the Instagram)
Day-1 Yamunotri
Our Day 1 began with a scenic flight from Dehradun Airport to the town of Kharsali, a mere 20-minute helicopter ride. After freshening up at the hotel, we set off for the Yamunotri Temple, which is about 6 kilometers from the town. While the tour offered the option of traveling by ponies or palkhis, we decided to take the more adventurous route and walk the entire distance. The guide and porters were amazing. They put in tremendous effort and hard work every day, yet their spirit remained truly remarkable.
The walk from Kharsali to Yamunotri Temple typically takes around 3 to 4 hours, depending on your pace and the condition of the terrain. The distance is about 6 kilometers and while the path is well-maintained, it does include some steep inclines and uneven sections that can slow your progress. However, the scenic beauty of the lush valleys, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks makes the journey both enjoyable and rewarding. The darshan at the temple was overcrowded, but we managed to get through. The only downside was the pressure from the 'so-called' pundits, who offered their services and then demanded exorbitant "dakshina" for performing pujas with them.
As anticipated and as we were informed, the accommodations were quite basic at the lodge, with limited electricity and a small dining area. We had mentally prepared ourselves for whatever challenges the yatra might present, so these minor inconveniences didn't bother us. After resting for a few hours, we took a tour of the town with our local guide. The Shani Temple and Yamuna Temple were definitely worth the visit. Meeting and greeting the locals is always enjoyable, and it's something we look forward to on every trip to a new place. The beauty of the mountains is truly awe-inspiring and leaves you speechless.
Day 2 began with a short and pleasant helicopter ride to Gangotri Dham. While the journey to and from the lodge to the helipad isn’t particularly difficult, it does require extra time due to the uneven roads and terrain. It's also a good idea to bring a snack with you while waiting for the helicopter, as the timing can be unpredictable in the mountains, and you may end up waiting longer than expected without access to food.
The cottages at Gangotri Dham were absolutely beautiful. After breakfast, we had a scenic drive of about an hour to the Gangotri Temple. The temple is within walking distance from where the cars drop you, though seniors may prefer to take a pithoo or other available transport to reach the temple.
As expected, the temple was crowded with people, but the darshan was quick and smooth. The sight of the River Ganges flowing nearby adds a deeply sacred and pious atmosphere to the experience here. We got to see many performing many pujas at the banks of holy river Gange here.
The day ended with visits to a few other temples in the town, followed by a cozy bonfire evening, where we had the chance to chat with other devotees staying at the same place. The evening stroll through the town was also very pleasant and calming, offering a peaceful end to the day.
Day-3 Kedarnath Dham
You feel tears well up, not out of sadness but out of awe and surrender. You might feel like screaming, not in despair, but in a desperate yearning to be heard and to connect. There is an inexplicable pull, as though the presence of the divine wraps around you, filling every corner of your being with light and peace. The kind of an emotion that leaves you utterly exposed yet deeply rooted. Writing this still makes me feel that feeling I had there....unbelievable!
The darshan was quick and chaotic, but we still managed to catch a glimpse of His divine presence. While we would have loved to stay a little longer, to gaze a bit more and absorb the sacredness of the moment, we left feeling content. Just being there, having the privilege to witness His glory, was enough to fill our hearts with peace and gratitude.
The highlight of our time at Kedarnath was interacting with the "Sadhu Bawas" who have been living at the top, in the divine company of Bholenath, near Mandakini river for many years. It is believed that the temple was originally constructed by the Pandavas and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. However, it was Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya who rebuilt the temple in the 8th century, and today, a new site is being developed in his honor, dedicated to his legacy and spiritual contributions.There are also lots of accommodations and facilities for those who want to spend a day or night here near the temple. Everything, however, was crowded and chaotic.....overflowing with tons and tons of people. 
The Bheem Shila and other temples are also major attractions here, but for us, the only thing that mattered was seeing Him and being able to meet Him without any obstacles or trouble. It truly felt as though He wanted to see us, too, and the experience was nothing short of divine. The rest of the day was wonderfully spent at our hotel, where we had a serene view of the clouds drifting past the towering mountains—the very same ones we had journeyed through to return after the darshan. It was a peaceful and reflective moment, taking in the beauty of the surroundings.
Day-4 Badrinath Dham
With our VIP darshan packages, we were able to enjoy an incredible close-up experience at every temple. As you can see from the pictures, the place was extremely crowded, but we were fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the Sandhya Aarti inside the temple in the evening, which we had pre-booked through our tour company. Although it was late in the evening, dark, and cold, our tour guide made sure we reached the temple in time for the scheduled Sandhya Aarti. Despite the challenges, he was committed to ensuring we didn’t miss this special experience.
The night view of the temple was truly breathtaking. Despite the ongoing construction and large crowds, the atmosphere remained special, though the sheer number of people was overwhelming at times.
The last day was a beautiful experience, spent exploring the village of Mana and the India-China border. The tour truly made the visit worthwhile, offering a unique glimpse into the region’s culture and history.
As I conclude the post, wanted to share few pointers for the trip. Taking a helicopter yatra to the Cahrdahm in Uttarakhand can make your pilgrimage more convenient and time-efficient. However to ensure a smoother and fulfilling experience, consider the following points:
- 1. Book with a government-approved helicopter services to ensure your safety and reliability.
- Make sure to plan your trip during the ideal yatra season (May to June or September to October) to voice weather issues. We planed it during the first week of May. Weather was very pleasant.
- The helicopter services are highly dependent on weather conditions. Be prepared for delays and rescheduling. We got lucky to complete our yatra as decided but we met many along who have been stuck for days for darshan or even to reach Dham.
- Some operators include VIP darshan passes, we got VIP darshan in every Dham so verify this in advance.
- Pack light. Helicopters have strict weight limits. We were allowed only 5 kg per person. Also confirm the specific weight policies for your helicopter ride with your chosen service provider. Our weight limit for a person on a helicopter typically ranges between 75-80 Kgs.
- Char Dham involves high altitudes. We, however, did not face any major issues but carry altitude sickness medication and be prepared for walks or treks from the helipad to hotels to the temples.
- The accommodations are very basic so be prepare to accept what comes your way. However the food was amazing. The tour company we went with provided 4 meals. (Breakfast +Lunch+Afternoon Tea-snacks + Dinner)
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