DAY 01. ARRIVE DELHI Arrive
Delhi. You will be met on arrival outside the customs enclosure and escorted
till the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 02. DELHI
- RISHIKESH (224 KMS/140 MILES) Early this morning depart Delhi by
surface for Rishikesh. Here the Holy River Ganga cuts its passage through
the mountains, where bells and gongs ring and chants fill the air. It is
said when Raibhya Rishi did hard penance, God appeared by the name of "Hrishikesh"
and this area was henceforth called by the name. Situated on the right banks
of the Holy River and surrounded on three sides by Himalayan Ranges, known
from medieval time as celestial abode, is a great pilgrimage center of
India, attracting a large number of pilgrims throughout the year.
Upon arrival transfer to Hotel.
Later in the day we will
visit the Laxman Jhoola, a bridge that spans the river and lends its name to
the locality. Temples, Ashrams and religious retreat centers, rise in the
wooded slopes. The pilgrims flock to this gorge-centered town sits in rows
on the steps of the Ghats.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY
03. RISHIKESH - HANUMANCHATTI (140 KMS/88 MILES) Early this
morning we drive on to Hanumanchatti. Upon arrival check-into lodge or rest
house.
DAY 04. YAMUNOTRI TREK Early this morning we depart on foot for
Yamunotri (14 KMS/9 MILES ONE WAY). The source of the revered river Yamuna
originating from the Champasar Glacier lying 1 Km ahead of the shrine,
situated in the opposite direction to Gangotri at an elevation of 4,421 Mts.
on the Bandarpunch peak.
Yamunotri finds a special mention in
the Hindu mythology. According to a legend, this secluded hilly spot was the
home of an ancient sage, Asit Muni. Among the major attractions of Yamunotri
are the hot water springs nearby. The trek is spectacular, dominated by a
panorama of rugged peaks and dense forests. The main temple is dedicated to
Goddess Yamuna. Maharani Guleria of Jaipur built the present temple in the
late nineteenth century, once destroyed by an earthquake. After the darshan,
return to Hanumanchatti.
DAY 05. HANUMANCHATTI/UTTARKASHI
(100 KMS/63 MILES) Early this morning we head towards our next
dham "Gangotri". A scenic foothill drive along the river
Bhagirathi brings us to Uttarkashi, a large village situated along the banks
of the river.
Upon arrival check in at tourist bungalow/rest house.
DAY 06. UTTARKASHI - GANGOTRI - UTTARKASHI We
continue for another 4-5 hours by road along the Ganges gorge to the
settlements at Gangotri. The picturesque pilgrimage in the hinterlands of
the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life,
touched earth for the first time. According to mythology, Goddess Ganga -
the daughter of heaven, manifested herself in the form of a river to absolve
the sins of King Bhagirath's predecessors, following his severe penance of
several centuries. Lord Shiva received into his matted locks to minimize the
immense impact of her fall. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her
legendary source.
Along the Right Bank of Bhagirathi stands the
shrine of Gangotri dedicated to the Goddess. Perched at a height of 3042
Mts., it was constructed in the early 18th century by a Gorkha Commander,
Amar Singh Thapa. The physical source of the holy river is at Gaumukh, 18
kms. Further uphill, along the Gangotri Glacier. After the darshan, drive
back to Uttarkashi.
Overnight.
DAY 07. UTTARKASHI - RUDRAPRAYAG Early this morning we continue on
our yatra towards Kedarnath. A scenic drive along the River Bhagirathi to
Rudraprayag is the confluence of the River Bhagirathi and Alaknanda to form
the sacred Ganga.
Rudraprayag - situated at an altitude of 610
Mts., is the confluence of the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers, and is an
unending source of delight to the visitors. The ancient Narad Muni meditated
here for several years at the temple of Rudranath, so as to Attain
perfection in the science of music.
DAY 08. RUDRAPRAYAG -
GAURIKUND Early this morning visit the confluence and continue on
our drive along the river Mandakini to Gaurikund, the trekking base to
Kedarnath. Upon arrival take a holy dip in Taptkund & Gaurikund.
GAURIKUND/KEDARNATH TREK After the holy dip in
Gaurikund, set on foot for one of the four dhams dedicated to Lord Shiva (14
kms one way). Amidst the dramatic mountain scapes of the majestic Kedarnath
range stands one of the twelve "Jyotirlingas" of Kedar or Lord
Shiva. Lying at an altitude of 3584 Mts. On the head of the river Mandakini,
the shrine of Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus.
The origin of the revered temple can be found in the great epic
Mahabharata. According to legend, the Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord
Shiva to atone the killing of their kith and kin in the great battle of
Krukshetra.
Overnight.
DAY 09. KEDARNATH - GAURIKUND - JOSHIMATH TREK Early this morning
we retrieve our steps back to Gaurikund and continue on our drive along the
river Alakanda to the town of Joshimath (145 KMS/91 MILES). Joshimath, with
its bracing climate, magnificent scenery and religious significance is
situated at an altitude of 1,875 Mts. In the early hour's dawn Nanda Devi,
Nilkanth and other peaks present a spectacle view, which is a feast of
colors and is repeated at the sunset.
Overnight.
DAY
10. JOSHIMATH - BADRINATH - JOSHIMATH This morning we continue our
drive to Badrinath, (42 KMKS/26 MILES). There is a gate system from
Joshimath; the first gate opens for traffic at 0630 hrs and the last at 1630
hrs. Cradled in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest
of the four main shrines, Badrinath along the left bank of river Alaknanda.
With the splendid Neelkanth mountain as the backdrop. Once the spot was
carpeted with "badris" or wild berries and hence was famous as "Badri
Van".
The revered shrine is still alive with myriad legends
from mythology. Its sanctity is emphasized in the ancient scriptures as "There
are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the nether
world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be".
Legend has it, when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help
suffering humanity; the earth was unable to withstand the force of its
descent. Therefore the mighty Ganga was split into twelve holy channels.
Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or
Badrinath.
The temple of Shri Badrinathji on the banks of the
Alaknanda River dates back to the Vedic times. Situated at an altitude of
3,133 Mts. The present temple is believed to have been built by Adi Guru
Shankaracharya - an 8th century's philosopher saint. After the darshan
return back to your hotel in Joshimath.
Overnight.
DAY 11. JOSHIMATH - RISHIKESH Early this morning we start on our
drive back to Rishikesh. Arrive and check in at the hotel.
Day at
leisure.
Overnight.
DAY 12. RISHIKESH - DELHI
Post breakfast proceed by surface to Delhi. Upon arrival proceed directly to
International airport to connect flight for onward destination.
DAY 13. LEAVE DELHI. Take the flight home on this day.
AS
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL PILGRIMAGE SECTORS PLEASE FIND BELOW THE
DETAILED PROGRAM.