Winter Char Dham Circuit

Experience spirituality and adventure with Rock Lizard’s Winter Char Dham Circuit. As snow blankets the sacred shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, their deities reside at lower-altitude temples: Ukhimath, Pandukeshwar, Kharsali, and Mukhwa. These tranquil winter abodes offer breathtaking Himalayan views, cultural legends, and serene environments. Kharsali: Locally popular as Khushimath, the quaint hamlet of Kharsali serves as the winter abode of Goddess Yamuna. During the cold months, due to heavy snowfall, the Yamunotri shrine becomes inaccessible. Apart from the divine presence of the goddess during the winter months, Kharsali is a charming place boasting recreational spots, thermal springs, rolling meadows and forests of oak and conifer.The temple where the goddess resided during winter is unique in terms of its construction materials – stone, wood and a mortar made from a lentil. For those looking for adventure and thrill, spend a night under the stars here. Kharsali is a popular camping spot! Mukhwa: While the Goddess Yamuna resides at Kharsali in the winters, Goddess Gangotri is brought to Mukhba, a small village on the banks of River Bhagirathi near Harsil. Due to excessive snowfall in the higher area during the winters, the idol of Goddess Ganga is transported down from the Gangotri temple to the Mukhba hamlet.As per local legend, Mukhba is where Chaman Rishi rested with Bhima (one of the Pandava brothers from the Hindu epic Mahabharata) when he was coming to light the holy fire at an Ashwamedha Yagna. The hamlet has two Ganga temples, one of which is modern and constructed of concrete and marbles, and the other is fashioned entire of deodar and brass. Apart from the abundance of natural beauty surrounding the Mukhba hamlet, there are few sites and attractions in and around Mukhba. Snow-capped valleys, deep pine woods, and spectacular vistas of the snow-capped peaks of Shrikanth, Hindyani, Jaonli and Sumeru, to mention a few, can all be found in the picturesque Mukhba valley. We hope that your journey to Winter Char Dham becomes comfortable and you enjoy every moment of the trip. Ukhimath: Located in the district of Rudraprayag, the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath is the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath (Lord Shiva). A tranquil destination, Ukhimath is ideal for those seeking peace and spirituality. Annually, the symbol of Lord Shiva is brought in an elaborate procession at the onset of winter and worshipped for six months till the Kedarnath shrine opens its doors for devotees. The head priests of Kedarnath (pundits), also known as Rawals, also come down to Ukhimath. Surrounding snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan ranges render Ukhimath stunning. Some of the peaks visible from Ukhimath include Kedarnath and Neelkantha. Not just as the winter abode of Lord Kedarnath, Ukhimath is also famous for such revered shrines dedicated to several deities of the Hindu pantheon, namely Devi Usha, Lord Shiva, Lord Aniruddha and Devi Parvati, among others. Pandukeshwar: According to local legend, Pandukeshwar is the Pandava brothers (characters from the Hindu epic Mahabharata) prayed to Vasudeva and where the Udhava idol, the emissary of Lord Badri, is worshipped during winters. This place is also known as Yogadhayan Badri. It is readily accessible since it is situated in the center of Joshimath and Badrinath. Many visitors to Badrinath make a point of stopping at the magical location to pay their respects to the two temples there.

Trip type

Road trip

Region

Uttarakhand

Start

Haridwar

Finish

Haridwar

Season windows

Winter (Nov–Mar)

1. Day 1

   Haridwar to Barkot

   1,220 m · 180 km

   Start your journey early from Haridwar and drive to Barkot via Mussoorie, with a stop at the scenic Kempty Falls. On arrival at Barkot, check into your pre-booked hotel or camp. Spend the evening relaxing and acclimatizing for the next day’s trek. Overnight stay in Barkot.

2. Day 2

   Barkot to Kharsali and back to Barkot

   3,291 m · 40 km

   After breakfast, drive to Kharsali, the winter abode of Goddess Yamuna. From there, trek to Yamunotri Temple, nestled at 3,291 meters. Take a holy dip in the river and perform rituals. Visit the nearby Champasar Glacier if time permits. Return to Barkot for an overnight stay.

3. Day 3

   Barkot to Uttarkashi

   1,200 m · 85 km

   Drive to Uttarkashi, a serene town by the Bhagirathi River. After checking into your hotel, spend the evening exploring the famous Vishwanath Temple. Relax and acclimatize for the next leg of your journey. Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.

4. Day 4

   Uttarkashi to Mukhba and back to Uttarkashi

   1,200 m · 90 km

   Start early to visit Mukhba, the winter seat of Goddess Ganga. Perform puja at the Gangotri Temple and immerse yourself in the serene surroundings. Later, return to Uttarkashi for dinner and an overnight stay.

5. Day 5

   Uttarkashi to Ukhimath

   1,352 m · 200 km

   Drive through the picturesque route via Tehri Dam to Rudraprayag, located at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. Continue to Ukhimath, the winter abode of Lord Kedarnath. Check into your hotel and enjoy the tranquil ambiance. Overnight stay in Ukhimath.

6. Day 6

   Ukhimath to Joshimath

   1,330 m · 190 km

   After breakfast, proceed to Joshimath through scenic mountain roads. On arrival, check into your hotel. Spend the evening exploring local temples or simply relaxing amidst the breathtaking views. Overnight stay in Joshimath.

7. Day 7

   Joshimath to Haridwar

   200 km

   Begin your day with a visit to the winter home of Lord Badrinath. Perform rituals and soak in the spiritual aura. After completing your visit, drive back to Haridwar to conclude your Winter Char Dham journey with Rock Lizard.