Char Dham

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 Gangotri Dham

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

Day 3 was uncertain, with reports of bad weather around Kedarnath Dham. Until we actually boarded the helicopter, we weren’t sure if Lord Bholenath would call us to visit or not. But what a day it turned out to be, and what a divine experience it was. 

Words may fall short of capturing the emotions we felt upon reaching the temple and seeing Him in person. We took two helicopter rides to get to the top of Kedarnath Temple. The view en route to Kedarnath was absolutely breathtaking, with stunning landscapes and snow-laden mountains at every turn. The atmosphere there was truly beyond words. We were overwhelmed with emotion—crying, filled with gratitude, and deeply moved by the sacred presence.

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

The final stop of our journey was Badrinath Dham. After the darshan of Bholenath at Kedarnath, we felt a sense of peace and fulfillment, knowing that we could now complete our yatra at this last Dham with a calm and contented heart.

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.

The highlight of our trip has to be our group. We started the trip as strangers—just three couples getting to know each other—but by the end of those four days, we had forged a bond and friendship that will last a lifetime. The four days spent together will forever be etched in our lifetime memories. 

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. 1. Book with a government-approved helicopter services to ensure your safety and reliability.
2.  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.
3. 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.
4. Some operators include VIP darshan passes, we got VIP darshan in every Dham so verify this in advance. 
5. 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.
6. 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. 
7. 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)

Overall, the experience of helicopter yatra for Char Dham was incredible and convenient, especially when you are looking to save time and avoid climbing treks. Will see you again with another adventure pretty soon. Until we meet again stay connected on the social feeds of Pinkz Passion for your daily decor dose of DIY and home decor inspiration, toodles!

    

Greece

Greece definitely was an impromptu vacation trip in September 2022 but as they say last minute plans always work the best and it did... in our favor as well. Out of few of our bucket list destinations Greece during the fall season seemed to fit all the bills for our historical, cultural and culinary experience. 

Chora Town, Mykonos

Once the destination was selected, we started boggling around the island hopping options for this trip. Our main aim was to have a relaxing, no-fuss couple trip hence we decided to cover 3 cities/islands on this visit to Greece. 

ATHENS-MYKONOS-SANTORINI

Chora Bazar Mykonos 

We flew with Air Transat from Toronto to Athens. However the 9 hours long flight with the time difference of 8 hours didn't started well at first as we had to catch another flight from Athens to Mykonos. Our all fatigue disappeared when we arrived at our first destination Anax Resort and Spa at Mykonos. The view of white washed buildings, blue skies and unique architectural structures 

were screaming of us having a great time ahead!

Anax Resort Mykonos

We wanted to try boutique and luxury hotel experience this trip  hence Anax Resort and Spa was selected as our first stay - an ideal destination with warm and signature hospitality indeed. The resort is about 15/20 minutes walk from the town. However they offer the shuttle service to and from airport or town. 

Anax Resort Mykonos

The resort has its own beach with pool and sea view rooms. The breakfast and the overall experience was great here.

We rented a scooter from the town to visit the famous Chora town in Mykonos (you may need to validate your license in order to drive the scooter in the country here). The drive around the shore and the old town would not have been the same without that memorable ride.  

The Chora town is a mostly pedestrian maze of narrow streets with cubic whitewashed houses. It’s essentially a traditional Cycladic village, with bougainvillea, small white churches, and colorful windows, doors and balconies.

The place was overcrowded with boutiques, bars and restaurants + souvenir shops. Famous windmills on top of the island and former fisherman's houses in Little Venice were quite attractive. Walking around the town felt like a maze and at the end of the every street we ended up being at the waterfront. 

Day 3 we took ferry to Santorini. The only way to reach there is either by a flight or by a ferry. These ferries fit thousands of passengers with their cars and belongings. There is a restaurant + bar on the ferry. Wi-fi is paid and the hard copy of the tickets to the ferry was mandatory. The only piece of advise I would suggest is to travel light. With big bags and heavy belongings your trip can ruin the entire experience. Less is more works in our case whenever we travel.  

The main attraction of the trip was the island Santorini and after visiting, I must confess that it is one of the most beautiful place we have ever visited. It is ideally positioned at the most mesmerizing spot on the island. The drive from ferry to our hotel was enough to understand why Santorini is the most popular destination. 

Santa Anna Luxury Resort - Imerovigli (Pic from Google)

Breakfast at Santa Anna Luxury Resort

Our next boutique hotel was Sant Anna Luxury Suites in Imerovigli....I had to learn to speak this name ;). The hotel was quite far from the hustle and bustle of the city Fira. However, the city was about 10/15 minutes cab drive from the hotel. And the famous sunset of Oia was about half an hour drive from the place.

The hotel only has a small number of suites, so it had a very personal touch. The main attraction of the place has to be the breakfast, it was delivered to your room at a time to suit yourself.

The walk through the narrow streets of Fira felt like a typical representation of the Cycladic islands, the small shops packed one next to the other, the pebbled streets, the traditional houses with the small blue and sun-burned verandas and of course the amazing view which distinguishes Santorini from every other island. 

We took a trip to Oia to witness the famous sunset. The city has not only great views but also a different perspective than Imerovigli. However the place was overly crowded and cramped even in September month. Once the sunset beckoned, hundred of other people crowded the place and it all felt like too cramped. We were literally squeezed in a corner to watch the sunset. There are also cruises that take you to see the sunset up close. However, if time and budget permits, I would highly recommend to stay in the town Oia with a caldera view to make the most of your trip. 

The highlight of the trip has to be our photoshoot (especially in a flying yellow dress) on these beautiful spots. There are quite a few choices of photographers who you have to book in advance for the photoshoot. There were quite a few wedding, anniversary and proposal shoots going around. Ours was entirely and purely for fun but turned out an experience that we will cherish forever.

With another ferry from Santorini to Athens we concluded our trip. We kept a day to explore the historic and capital city Athens before our flight to home. It was just another city with ancient civilizations with attractions like Acropolis and Ancient Agora. A day or two would be enough to spend in the city. 

Ending this post, with some mouth watering Greek dishes for you all. Being vegetarian, we had plethora of choices in Greece to spoil our taste buds in every café and restaurant spotted. The best has to be the Greek Salad with the big chunk of Feta Cheese. 

Planning to document many more destinations in near future so stay connected on the feeds of my social media (Instagram, or Facebook). Until we meet again, toodles!