My Chardham Yatra journey was not a journey — it was a journey of rebirth that transformed me from within outwards. They say the Uttarakhand Chardham Yatra is the journey to redemption and oneness. I didn’t know that until I climbed up the hills, inhaled that winter air, and heard the temple bells. Now I surely do.
The four sacred shrines trip was a pilgrimage of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. All the places were serene, well scenic, and a tale-teller. A perfect vacation was the most beautiful piece of my life. You can have a splendid journey to Chardham with our Chardham Yatra by Helicopter
My Chardham Yatra Experience – The First Step of Faith
Yatra was planned for a day when I was with family. My father told me that he had always dreamed of going on the four dhams tour. He had a fire in his eyes which I could not resist. It was planned for the same day — we would go for the Chardham Yatra as a family.
Preparations were undertaken before we left. We had booked our yatra online and purchased all that we needed to purchase — woolens, medicines, dry rations, and trekking shoes. The yatra remains open from April or May every year and closes in October or November. We wanted to leave in May, when there was good weather.
Evening before sleeping wasn’t without incident. There was praying and ecstasy, the mind already conditioned to think. I did not even realize at that time that my Chardham Yatra tour would turn out to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
My Chardham Yatra Experience – The Beginning at Yamunotri
We start from Barkot, a serene hill station. We proceeded even further to Janki Chatti, the location from which the trek to Yamunotri proper starts. It was 6 kilometers distant, and even that was no mean feat. It was a mountain with steep inclination and narrow road, but a road punctuated by people’s faith.
“Jai Maa Yamuna’s” advice reverberated all the way. There were some of them barefooted, some on ponkeys, some on a few more on palanquins carried on a few more. I went at leisure, stopped occasionally, had water, and savored the grace of the scenery. Pine aroma and view of white clouds gently holding each other up on mountain peaks made every step worth it.
As finally the Yamunotri Temple appeared before me, tears swelled in my eyes. It was peacefully lying in the midst of majesty Himalayas as if nature did not want to let it be seen by anyone. Pilgrims were bathing in the hot spring of Surya Kund before going into the temple. So did I. Hot water was heaven in winter.
It was when my Chardham Yatra journey started becoming a reality. Religion was no longer something that existed within me — it was something which I could sense.
My Chardham Yatra Experience – The Purity of Gangotri
We departed from Yamunotri to reach Gangotri, where holy River Ganga originated. After that we rode past the town of Uttarkashi with temples and welcoming smiles on all sides. We drove along the bank of the Bhagirathi River, whose relentless sound reminded us of the mighty force at every instant.
When we reached Gangotri, white snow-clad hills surrounded them. White Temple of Gangotri in the sun was situated on the bank of the smoothly flowing river. Centuries back, it had been constructed, from which even now the same faith is seen in the eyes of every devotee.
I was on the riverbank and washing my hands in the icy stream of water. My hands were icy, but my spirit was flying high. It was a belief that Goddess Ganga came down from heaven to earth here as a step to cleanse human beings of sin. I was praying there and asking for strength and not miracles.
My Chardham Yatra pilgrimage to Gangotri had already tested the power of innocence of nature. The voice of the river is still imprinted in my mind to this day.
My Chardham Yatra Experience – Kedarnath’s Sanctity
The most moving experience of my Chardham Yatra trip was at Lord Shiva temple, Kedarnath. It is believed to be the place where sanctified Pandavas’ sin by Lord Shiva after Mahabharata war.
We arrived at last at Gaurikund, from where the 16 km walk to Kedarnath started. There was a lack of oxygen and incline. The track was foggy with little tea stalls in between on the path where tired pilgrims occupied their chairs and slept. I was witnessing white-haired men with walking sticks, children on pony rides, and some tearful eyes saying “Har Har Mahadev”.
As Kedarnath Temple gradually came into view in the distance behind snow-crowned mountains far up in the heavens, I was enchanted. It was not as big as I had imagined it, but its existence was one that could not be described. The temple bell tolled, priests chanting in unison, and incense lamp smoke drifting upward into the cold air.
As if time had come to a standstill during aarti. The place cannot be written about — can be felt only. My Badrinath Chardham Yatra experience was the one in which I felt the feeling of surrender.
My Chardham Yatra Experience – The Blessings of Badrinath
The second stop during the Chardham Yatra was Badrinath, the sacred abode of Lord Vishnu. The drive from Kedarnath to Badrinath was exhausting but scenery was unbelievably beautiful. It passed through valleys, rivers, and snow-white mountains. Every turn on the road looked like the stroke of the brushwork of God Himself.
We bathed in natural hot water spring known as the Tapt Kund before going to the temple. Water was cold and icy even though atmospheric temperature was extremely cold. Then we went to the temple.
Badrinath Temple was beautiful — painted colors and flower-struck. The photo of Lord Badri Narayan shone in lamp light within the temple. Solemnly, there were individuals standing, hands folded in prayer, peaceful faces looking peaceful.
I had not asked for anything. I had prayed to God only that I had escaped safely. And coming out of the cave, sun behind the hills, orange sky. That is a vision which even now remains before my eyes.
That’s how my Chardham Yatra journey came to a close — or else began there, for something deep within me had been irreversibly changed.
My Chardham Yatra Experience – The Loveliness On the Way
Chardham Yatra is not just for the pilgrims. The pilgrimage itself is sacred. Apple orchards and waterfalls, villages surrounded us during the journey. Poor folks resided in the towns — smiling, assisting, and offering tea to foreign tourists fleeing for the night. Their hospitality filled the mountains with brightness.
Food during the yatra was simple — parathas, rice, dal, and hot chai. Even a basic meal after a strenuous trek was a luxury. Nights were starry nights. I would sleep outdoors, all of us under one blanket, and gaze at the stars and wonder how small we are in the universe.
Nights like these were the best part of my Chardham Yatra.
My Chardham Yatra Experience – The Challenges Faced
It was not smooth sailing. Weather used to be unpredictable. Sun shine in the mornings and afternoons it used to rain. Roads were too narrow and slippery and one would not be able to breathe easily at higher altitudes.
But all the journeys were eventful. With every accident, there was a lesson. It was then at such moments that my spiritualism was most acute. When I was thirsty, a kind Samaritan provided me with water to quench my thirst. When I was exhausted physically, temple bells refreshed me.
Lastly, suffering of climbing was driven out of my head, peace it brought in me was etched in my heart forever. My journey in Chardham Yatra was transformed into a promise that goodness always hover around an endeavor.
Lessons That Stuck With Me: My Chardham Yatra Experience
I returned home, and something in me was changed. My experience at Chardham Yatra imparted lessons no book can ever possibly do.
I have come to understand that peace is not a labor of convenience but the offspring of trust. Patience is what the mountains have taught me. Surrender is what the rivers have taught me. Trust in God’s timing was what the temples have taught me.
I used to think at home, prior to yatra, that God is present in temples. But at yatra, I saw that He is present everywhere — in man, nature, and silence. Till date, whenever I close my eyes, I listen to the sound of Kedarnath bells, the sound of Ganga thunder, and the inner voice telling me — “You are blessed.”
My Chardham Yatra Experience – Tips for Future Pilgrims
If you are arranging your own Chardham Yatra tour, some simple rules provided below will help you:
- Rise early in the morning so that you will have travel without traffic and crowd.
- Wear sweaters during summers too; mountains are uncertain.
- Carry cold medicines, fever medicines, and altitude sickness medicines with you.
- Drink water at regular intervals and do not overeat during trekking.
- Be a respectful temple and human being. Talk softly and reasonably.
- Do not contaminate. The Himalayas are godly; don’t touch anything.
- Don’t rush. Relax and let things go slowly — peace is all it is about.
All these little things would make your Chardham travel trip safer, more comfortable, and more fulfilling.
My Chardham Yatra Experience – A Journey That Lives Forever
When I finished my Chardham Yatra trekking, one thing became certain to me — the trek never ends. It lingers with you. The aartis of the masses, the temples, and the memories of mountains remain with you for life.
When I lose direction in life these days, I remember that cold winter morning at Kedarnath or that sultry bath at Yamunotri and my heart gets soothed instantly.
If ever there is an opportunity, grab it. Never wait for the opportune moment. Let pilgrimage summon you. Because once you put your foot in those roads, you would be a different person afterward. What I have found out about Chardham Yatra is that sometimes the path of self realization is losing oneself to beliefs.
