Planning to experience a spiritual journey and experience the divine energy of these holy abodes?

Do Dham Yatra– a pilgrimage that involves visiting any two dhams out of the four holy abodes of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. However, the Do Dham Yatra is commonly known as the pilgrimage to Kedarnath and Badrinath temples, which hold immense religious significance in Hindu mythology.

Badrinath is the sacred place of Lord Vishnu in the dual form of Nar Narayan, while Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. This yatra holds great significance for Hindus and draws millions of devotees every year to Uttarakhand to seek blessings from the divine.

For those who want to avoid trekking, the Badrinath and Gangotri yatra is an options, while those who have already visited Badrinath and Kedarnath can complete the Char Dham darshan by visiting Yamunotri and Gangotri.

About Do Dham Yatra

The do dham yatra centers around- Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Kedarnath:
Kedarnath, one of the most important among the 12 jyotirlingas, is located on the Garhwal Mountain Range, amidst the snow-clad peaks, and near the Mandakini River. According to Hindu mythology, when Pandavas sought absolution for their sin of killing their own blood relatives (Kauravas) after the Mahabharata, Lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull to avoid granting their wish.

After the Pandavas discovered his true identity, Lord Shiva disappeared, leaving behind only his hump. On this sacred site, the Pandavas built a temple that became known as Kedarnath. This awe-inspiring place also attracts visitors with its mesmerizing beauty. From the snow-covered mountains to the stunning Himalayan range, Kedarnath offers a feast for the eyes. Devotees perform a Rudrabhishek Puja every morning to seek blessings from the Rudra form of Lord Shiva.

Badrinath:

Located majestically between the Nar and Narayan Mountain Range, Badrinath is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India and is also considered the final leg of Do Dham. Not just devoted, this place equally allures adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers for its beauty.

Badrinath Temple was built to commemorate Lord Vishnu who dedicated himself to mankind. According to Hindu Mythology, it is believed that Lord Shiva meditated for 1000 years under the Badri Tree to welfare mankind. Devotees take a dip in Tapti Kund, which is an important aspect of Badrinath Yatra. This hot water spring is considered the home of Lord Agni.

Vyas Gufa is another important aspect of Badrinath where Maharishi Vyas wrote Mahabharata with the help of Lord Ganesha. Visiting Tibetan Chinese to explore Mana Village is another breathtaking experience for visitors.

How to reach Kedarnath Dham and Badrinath Dham?

Kedarnath Dham is a sacred site for Hindus situated in the Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand. This holy town is one of the Char Dham and is located in the Kedarnath Valley, situated at an elevation of 3584 meters. One can reach Kedarnath by taking a trek, Dandi, Kandi, or helicopter.

Additionally, Kedarnath has excellent transportation connections through road, air, and rail. You can directly travel to Kedarnath from Haridwar or spend a day there. The majority of the 240-kilometer ride is on a ghat road, with picturesque views of mountains in the background and the Ganges River following along.

If you are traveling in a group of more than 5-6 people, it’s better to rent a jeep with adequate ground clearance because the path has many pebbles. Gaurikund, the entrance to Gaurika, is just 5 kilometers away from Sonprayag. A gate is set up to ensure that pilgrims are dropped off at Sonprayag by buses and autos. Shared taxis are available to keep traffic jams at bay.

How to reach Badrinath Dham and Kedarnath Dham?

Kedarnath and Badrinath are two of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India. Here are the ways to reach these places:

How to reach Kedarnath Dham:

By Air: The nearest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 239 km away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Gaurikund.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, which is about 216 km away. From Rishikesh, you can take a bus or taxi to reach Gaurikund.

By Road: Gaurikund is the base camp for the trek to Kedarnath. It is well connected by road to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, and other major cities in the region. Regular buses and taxis are available from these cities to Gaurikund.

How to reach Badrinath Dham:

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 314 km away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Badrinath.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, which is about 293 km away. From Rishikesh, you can take a bus or taxi to reach Badrinath.

By Road: Badrinath is well connected by road to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and other major cities in the region. Regular buses and taxis are available from these cities to Badrinath. The route to Badrinath passes through some of the most scenic and picturesque landscapes in the region, making it a memorable journey for the pilgrims.