Winter Char Dham Yatra
Is a peaceful pilgrimage to the accessible lower-altitude winter homes where the deities of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath are moved from November to April
Trip at a glance
Why Winter Char Dham?
Snow closes the high dhams
<p>Heavy snow closes the four Dhams for winter, from late October–November until spring.</p>
The deities move down
<p>Each deity moves to a winter home, lower in the valley, where daily puja continues.</p>
Calm, snowy darshan
<p>Devotees can still take darshan, with fewer crowds and snow all around.</p>
The Uttarakhand government has been promoting the winter circuit to make the Char Dham a year-round pilgrimage. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Winter Char Dham Yatra on 8 December 2024 at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.
The four winter homes
Yamunotri → Kharsali
Winter home of Maa Yamuna.
Gangotri → Mukhba
Winter home of Maa Ganga, near Harsil.
Kedarnath → Ukhimath
Baba Kedar is worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple.
Badrinath → Joshimath
Badri puja at the Narsingh Temple, Joshimath, and at Pandukeshwar.
Badrinath in winter: Uddhav ji and Kuber ji stay at Pandukeshwar, while Adi Shankaracharya's gaddi is kept at the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath.
More than darshan
Harsil valley
<pre>One of Garhwal's prettiest valleys, close to Mukhba.</pre>
Holy rivers and Panch Prayag
<p>The sacred confluences of the Alaknanda and its rivers.</p>
Ancient temples and the Badri circuit
<p>Kashi Vishwanath, Dhari Devi, Pandukeshwar and the Sapt Badri temples.</p>
Garhwali food and culture
<p>Local food and village life in the hills.</p>
Peaceful nature and photos
<p>Fewer crowds, clear winter skies and easy photo stops.</p>
Snow-covered peaks
<p>Snow-covered peaks and quiet villages along the route.</p>
The winter yatra suits families, older devotees, photographers and anyone who wants calm travel.
Our route: Haridwar → 4 winter homes → Haridwar
- Haridwar / Rishikesh: start point
- Barkot → Kharsali: Yamunotri winter seat (Maa Yamuna)
- Uttarkashi → Harsil → Mukhba: Gangotri winter seat (Maa Ganga)
- Rudraprayag → Ukhimath: Kedarnath winter seat (Omkareshwar Temple)
- Chopta → Joshimath: Badrinath winter seat (Narsingh Temple), with Pandukeshwar nearby
The return to Haridwar runs through all five Prayags: Vishnuprayag, Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag.
Day-by-day plan
| Day | Travel | Main visit · Night stay |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Haridwar → Mussoorie → Barkot | Mountain drive · Barkot |
| Day 2 (darshan) | Barkot → Kharsali → Barkot | Maa Yamuna darshan · Barkot |
| Day 3 | Barkot → Uttarkashi | Kashi Vishwanath Temple · Uttarkashi |
| Day 4 (darshan) | Uttarkashi → Harsil → Mukhba | Maa Ganga darshan · Harsil / Uttarkashi |
| Day 5 | Uttarkashi → Tehri → Rudraprayag | Dhari Devi Temple · Rudraprayag |
| Day 6 (darshan) | Rudraprayag → Ukhimath → Chopta | Baba Kedar darshan · Chopta / Ukhimath |
| Day 7 (darshan) | Chopta → Gopeshwar → Joshimath | Narsingh Temple · Joshimath |
| Day 8 | Joshimath → Pandukeshwar → Badri temples | Badri darshan · Joshimath |
| Day 9 | Joshimath → Panch Prayag → Haridwar | Devprayag Sangam · Trip ends |
Days 1 - 3 Yamuna valley: Maa Yamuna at Kharsali
DAY 1
Haridwar → Barkot
- Drive via the Mussoorie hills
- Beautiful mountain views
- Night at Barkot
DAY 2 · DARSHAN
Kharsali
- Maa Yamuna Temple darshan
- Walk in the old village
- Night at Barkot
DAY 3
Barkot → Uttarkashi
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Bhagirathi river views
- Local market in the evening
Days 4–6 · Ganga to Kedar: Maa Ganga at Mukhba, Baba Kedar at Ukhimath
DAY 4 · DARSHAN
Harsil → Mukhba
- Maa Ganga darshan
- Snowy Harsil valley
- Night at Harsil / Uttarkashi
DAY 5
Uttarkashi → Rudraprayag
- Via Tehri and Srinagar
- Dhari Devi Temple
- Rudraprayag Sangam
DAY 6 · DARSHAN
Ukhimath → Chopta
- Omkareshwar Temple darshan
- Snow views at Chopta
- Stay at Ukhimath if snow is heavy
Days 7–9 · Badri and the Prayags: the sacred Badri circuit
DAY 7 · DARSHAN
Chopta → Joshimath
- Drive through Chamoli
- Narsingh Temple darshan
- Night at Joshimath
DAY 8
Badri temple circuit
- Pandukeshwar, Yogadhyan Badri
- Some of the Sapt Badri temples
- Kalpeshwar, if the road is open
DAY 9
Joshimath → Haridwar
- See all five Prayags
- Devprayag, where the Ganga begins
- Drop at Haridwar / Rishikesh
The journey ends with a return through the sacred confluences, down the Alaknanda to Devprayag and Haridwar.
Safe winter travel
What is included
Food
Breakfast and dinner daily at the hotel. Lunch not included.
Stay
Good hotels on the route, 2 or 3 people per room, 8 nights.
Travel
Pickup and drop at Haridwar / Rishikesh by car or Tempo Traveller. Fuel, tolls, parking and driver included.
Not included
Winter Char Dham Yatra FAQs
Jai Badri Vishal · Jai Baba Kedar
Devbhoomi welcomes pilgrims in every season. Plan your Winter Char Dham Yatra with us.
Book your Winter Char Dham Yatra
Tell us your dates and group size
By submitting, you agree to receive communication from us.