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Char Dham Yatra

Kedarnath and Badrinath in August Weather – Should I go?

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It rains in Kedarnath and Badrinath during August. Monsoon in these places is risky and there are chances of landslides and floods. Therefore, it is suggested not to travel to Kedarnath or Badrinath during this season. Kedarnath helicopter also will not fly during August. You can travel during September and October to Char Dham.

If you are still planning on visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath during August, it is important to take the services of an experienced tour operator like us. Our drivers are very safe and we make sure you have a wonderful trip even during August.

Take a look at our Char Dham Yatra Package now.

Kedarnath and Badrinath in August

How is the weather in Kedarnath and Badrinath during each season?

Find out the best time to visit Kedarnath

  • Summer Season:  This is the best season to visit Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham. Summer in Kedarnath stays from April to June. The view is beautiful and there is freshness everywhere. Although, even during the summers, it can get freezing during the evening. You must carry proper warm clothes to protect yourself.
  • Monsoon Season: July and August are the Monsoon months in Kedarnath and Badrinath. This place witnesses heavy rainfall during these months. There are chances of landslides and floods. It is advised not to travel during these months.
  • Pre-Winter Season: September and October cover Pre-Winters. This time is also very ideal to visit the Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham. Just after the rains, the weather becomes stunning.  The places are full of greenery. The beauty of the whole region increases during this time.
  • Winter Season: Winters at this place starts around the end of November and continues till March. During this time, the place witnesses heavy snowfall. Due to freezing weather, the shrines are kept closed for the pilgrims. It again opens in April.

Frequently asked questions about Char Dham Yatra

Lakhamandal Temple Dehradun – Timings, History and Guide

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Lakhamandal temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is present in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. The name the complex has origins in the words ‘Lakha‘ meaning ‘many‘ and ‘Mandal‘ meaning ‘Temples or Lingam‘. Moreover, devotees believe that a visit to this temple is capable of absolving one’s sins.

Lakhamandal – Facts

Deity Lord Shiva
Location Jaunsar-Bawar region of Dehradun district, Uttarakhand
Best Time to Visit October to March
Darshan Timings 7 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fees Free
Dress Code Traditional Wear
Festivals Mahashivratri

The Shivling here is made of graphite which shines on pouring water on it.

It also ends the miseries of life. River Yamuna flows near the village in which Lakhamandal is present. It is also a part of the Char Dham Yatra destinations within Uttarakhand.

What are the timings of Lakhamandal?

Here are the timings of Lakhamandal:

OpenClose
Timings7 AM6 PM

What is the significance of Lakhamandal?

The significance of Lakhamandal is the main attraction of the temple complex is a Shivalingam made of graphite. When water is poured over Shivalingam, it reflects the light and shines, hence illuminating its surroundings. Also, the temple has the northern Indian style of architecture (Huna architecture).

Lakhamandal Intro
The Shivling is made of graphite which shines on pouring water on it.

Beliefs also say that a person who dies in front of the twin statues of Manav and Danav momentarily returns to life. This is because Manav keeps the person alive while Danav takes the person’s soul to Lord Vishnu’s divine abode.

What is the history of  Lakhamandal?

Lakhamandal History 1
Lakshyagraha – A house of shellac.

The history of Lakhamandal is that the temple is present near the place where Duryodhana conspired to burn Bhaskara alive in Lakshyagraha (a house of shellac). Moreover, two statues of Manav and Danav are present near the main shrine and devotees consider them to be of Pandava brothers Bhima and Arjuna.

Lakhamandal History 2
The statue resembles Jai and Vijay, the doormen of Lord Vishnu.

These statues are the dwarpals (door guards) of the shrine. They also resemble Jai and Vijay, the doormen of Lord Vishnu. Dhundhi Odaari is a cave present near Lakhamandal and devotees believe that it is the place where Pandavas hid in order to protect themselves from their cousin Duryodhana. Dhund means “fog” and odaari means “cave“.

Lakhamandal History 3
Pandavas hid in the Dhundhi Odaari cave in order to protect themselves from Duryodhana.

Festivals celebrated at Lakhamandal

The main festival celebrated at Lakhamandal is:

  • Mahashivratri: This festival is in the honor of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that he is the Adi guru who is the source of the Yogi tradition.  It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga, making offerings to the deity, as well as meditating.
Lakhamandal Festivals
Mahashivratri is celebrated at the temple.

How to reach Lakhamandal?

Here’s how to reach Lakhamandal:

  • Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (130 km away).
  • Train: The nearest railway station is Dehradun railway station (107 km away from Lakhamandal).
  • Road: Buses to Chakrata are available from ISBT Kashmere Gate. One can hire a bus or taxi from Chakrata to Lakhamandal.

Where to stay near Lakhamandal?

Some of the places where one can stay near Lakhamandal while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

  • Hotel Shiva Residency: The property offers a multi-cuisine restaurant, conference hall, doctor on call, safe deposit lockers, travel desk, laundry, secretarial services, generator back-up as well as Wi-Fi internet facility.
  • Hotel Saffron Leaf: 4 km from ISBT and Dehradun Railway Station, the hotel offers a fitness center, travel assistance, and a multi-cuisine restaurant.
  • Hotel LP Residency:  The hotel is a perfect retreat for visitors and business travelers. It offers WiFi, parking, laundry, room service, credit card acceptance and many more. 

Please carry valid ID proof such as Aadhar Card. It is needed at the time of booking of the rooms.

What are some temples near Lakhamandal?

Some of the temples near Lakhamandal are:

  • Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttarkashi: The temple is one of the most sacred temples in Uttarakhand, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is present on the banks of river Bhagirathi and is one of the Char Dham Yatra destinations within Uttarakhand. The Shiva lingam here is 56cm in height and is tilted towards the South. The lingam is a Swayambhu, that is, the lord has manifested the lingam himself. During the Magh Mela, devotees visit the temple to take a holy dip in the river Bhagirathi. It is also a part of the Char Dham Yatra destinations within Uttarakhand.
  • Shakti Temple: This temple is present on the opposite side of the Vishwanath temple in Uttarkashi and is in honor of Goddess Parvati. Also, the main attraction of the temple is a huge ‘Trishool‘ which is 6 meters high. Moreover, it is over 1500 years old.
Lakhamandal Nearby

Panch Prayag – Five Sacred Confluences in Uttarakhand

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Panch Prayag is a manifestation in the spirit of the Hindu religion. The expression is used to signify the five holy river confluences in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

The word ‘Prayag’ breaks down to the confluence of two or more rivers. Moreover, Panch Prayag goes by the name ‘Panch Pentad’ in Sanskrit. Nevertheless, five confluences in the descending order of their existence are Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag.

Holy Pathways of Panch Prayag

Alaknanda originates from the triangular lake called Satopanth. It is present 4402 metres above sea level. Moreover, Satopanth gets its name from Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Bhagirath Kharak Glaciers lying near Nanda Devi peak in Uttarakhand.

Holy trail of Panch Prayag
Satopanth is the origin of the Holy Alaknanda river.

In the course of 229 km from its origin Alaknanda crosses all the five Prayags. Moreover, it finally unifies with Bhagirathi and gives rise to the Holy Ganges or Ganga. Nevertheless, it continues to flow down further to Rishikesh and Haridwar that share the banks of Ganges in Uttarakhand.

Each Sangam or confluence has developed religious towns near them due to the inflow of pilgrims visiting Panch Kedar and Sapta Badri temples. Also, devotees take bath at these holy Sangam while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

The town names inspired by these confluences are titled as Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag. However, Vishnuprayag does not have a town at its bank yet it is 12 km from Joshimath.

The Essence of the Five Prayags

According to Hindus, Prayag is the sacred Sangam of rivers where devotees take a dip before worship. Also, people arrive at these sacred sangams to perform the last rites for the dead. Moreover, the devotees worship holy confluences as God’s manifestation on Earth.

Essence of Panch Prayag
Dip in the holy waters of Prayag is believed to wash away ones sins.

However, the Prayag at Allahabad is considered to be the holiest. Nevertheless, the Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand is just next to them. Apart from numerous tales from the Puranas, these Prayags are home to the amazing scenic beauty.

Moreover, the religious texts state that Panch Prayag in Uttarakhand is the Svargarohana route that the Pandavas took to reach heaven.

How to get to these confluences?

Rishikesh is the point of start for your Panch Prayag journey. It is near to Haridwar that has train connectivity to all the major cities of India. Moreover, Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is at a distance of 18 km from Rishikesh.

Besides these, one can take a road trip to Rishikesh from different parts of the country. However, one can hire private taxis to Rishikesh as per their convenience.

From Rishikesh, the distance of the five Prayags are –

Name of the PrayagDistance from Rishikesh
Vishnuprayag263 km
Nandaprayag193 km
Karnyaprayag 173 km
Rudraprayag141 km
Devprayag74 km

Portrayal of Panch Prayag

  • Vishnuprayag– After Alaknanda descends from Satopanth, Dhauliganga merges into it at this Sangam. Moreover, Ahlayabai, the queen of Indore constructed a Vishnu temple at this Prayag.
  • Nandaprayag– Here, Alaknanda meets Nandakini river and the two rivers unify. However, this confluence gets its name from King Nanda who performed yagna at this place in pursuit of a son.
  • Karnaprayag– This is the confluence of river Alaknanda and Pindar. Beliefs say that Krishna cremated Karna at this place only. Hence, there is a Karna temple by the banks of the confluence.
  • Rudraprayag– At this place, Mandakini river joins Alaknanda in its flow. Moreover, traditional tales suggest that Shiva appeared in its Rudra avatar at this place in front of Sage Narada. Hence, the place has Shiva temples in abundance.
  • Devprayag– This confluence gives birth to the mainstream Ganges as Alaknanda and Bhagirathi unify. Devprayag means ‘Godly confluence‘. Moreover, the inspiration of the confluence’s name is taken from sage Dev Sharma from Satyug, who got blessings from Lord Vishnu. Lord Ram also meditated here so it has many Ram temples too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Panch Prayag

Where is the Panch Prayag located?

Panch Prayag is present in the ‘God’s Land’ i.e. Uttarakhand.

Which river meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag?

Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag.

How many Prayags are there in Uttarakhand?

As the name, Panch Prayag suggests there are five Prayag in Uttarakhand.

When should one visit these Prayags?

The best time to visit these Prayags is from March to October.

Own car in Char Dham Yatra

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Can we take our own car in char dham?

Yes, you can take your own car in Char Dham Yatra. However, it is not recommended to do so. Many narrow roads connect the Char Dhams. Therefore, it is safer to hire one experienced travel company. They would provide you experienced drivers who have driven in these roads before.

Get Experienced Drivers for Chardham

We provide experienced drivers and clean hotels for char dham

Char Dham Yatra Tour Package – Details

The Char Dhams are the Dhams of Yamunotri Temple, Gangotri Temple, Kedarnath Temple, and Badrinath Temple. These Dhams could be visited by trekking and driving. One has to drive through extremely narrow hilly areas. Therefore, one who is not experienced with driving through hilly areas should not take their car.

Here is the driving route if you are taking your own car in Char Dham Yatra:

  • Delhi to Haridwar: The distance is 210kms and time taken to cover the distance is 6hrs.
  • Haridwar to Barkot: The distance is 220kms and time taken to cover it is 7hrs.
  • Barkot to Yamunotri: The distance is 36km driving and 6kms trekking.
  • Barkot to Uttarkashi. The distance is 110kms and time taken to cover it is 4.5hrs.
  • Uttarkashi to Rudraprayag: The distance is 175kms and time taken is 6hrs.
  • Rudraprayag to Kedarnath: The distance is 75kms drive and 25kms trek.
  • Rudraprayag to Badrinath: The distance is 160kms and time taken to cover the distance is 8hrs.
  • Rishikesh to Delhi: The distance is 230kms and the time taken is 6hrs.

Myoksha Travels provides well-experienced drivers ensuring the safety of its customers in the risky roads.

Frequently asked questions about Char Dham Yatra

Rudranath Temple

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Rudranath Temple is one of the Panch Kedar temples of Lord Shiva, present in the Grahwal region of Uttarakhand. It comes third, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. It is followed by Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar temples. Moreover, the face of god Shiva is worshipped as “Nilkanth Mahadeva” here.

Many people consider Rudranath as the most difficult temple to reach, among the Panch Kedar temples, which are the five holy temples of Shaivite dedicated to Lord Shiva. Moreover, the Garhwal region is also called the Kedar-Khanda because ‘Kedar’ is a local name for Lord Shiva. It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra Destinations within Uttarakhand.

What is the history of Rudranath Temple?

According to the history, Pandavas established the Rudranath temple. Pandavas slew their kin Kauravas during the Mahabharata. Hence, Rishi Vyas advised them to go to Lord Shiva, because only he could absolve them of their sins. However, Shiva kept hiding from them and took the form of a bull.

Then, he went into hiding in an underground safe haven at Guptakashi. Later, Lord Shiva’s body parts as a bull rematerialised at five locations. The Pandavas then built Shiva temples in these five places, popular as ‘Panch Kedar’ (Find out more about the Char Dham Yatra). Rudranath Temple is the place where the face of Lord Shiva appeared. At Nandikund, devotees worship old historic swords protruding from the rocks, believing them to be of Pandavas.

What is the significance of Rudranath Temple?

The significance of Rudranath temple is that pools like Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund and Manas Kund surround it. There are also peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti present near the temple. Moreover, it is the toughest trek to reach compared to other Panch Kedar temples.

Before visiting the temple, devotees take a holy bath in the Narad Kund. As per beilefs, the deity appeared by itself, and hence is a ‘swayambhu’. It is a Shivalinga whose shape is like a human face. Also, the holy river Vaitarani or Baitarani or Rudraganga flows near the temple. Devotees believe that this river leads to salvation and hence, they come here to perform the last rites of the deceased.

What are the timings of Rudranath Temple?

Here are the timings of Rudranath Temple:

Timings From
Open 6 AM
Close 7 PM
Morning Aarti 6 AM
Evening Aarti 6:30 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at RudranathTemple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Rudranath Temple are:

  • Mahashivratri: This festival is in the honour of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that he is the Adi guru who is the source of the Yogi tradition.  It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga as well as meditating.
  • Doli Yatra: In the winters, devotees bring a symbolic image of Lord Shiva to Gopeshwar for worship in a Doli Yatra which goes through Sagar village. When the yatris reach Pitradhar, they worship their ancestors and at the end of the journey, they reach Rudranath along with the image.
  • Annual fair: The temple conducts a fair on the full moon day of Shravan month according to the Hindu calendar. It is mostly on the day of Raksha Bandhan and mainly the locals attend the fair.

How to reach Rudranath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Rudranath Temple:

  • Air: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun 258 km away.
  • Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh 241 km away.
  • Road: Automobiles can be used till village Sagar. After that, one has to complete a 20 km trek in order to reach the temple.

Where to stay near Rudranath Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Rudranath Temple while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

  • The Tattva Resort: This hotel features a restaurant, 24-hour room service and Laundry facilities. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include A 24-hour front desk.
  • Monal Resort: This hotel features a restaurant, a 24-hour business centre and Concierge services are available at this resort. Free WiFi in public areas and free valet parking are also provided. Other amenities include Dry cleaning, A 24-hour front desk and a garden.
  • Hotel Mandakini: This hotel features a restaurant, a rooftop terrace and 24-hour room service are available at this hotel. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a meeting room and A 24-hour front desk are on-site.

What are the other Panch Kedar temples?

The other Panch Kedar Temples are:

  • Kedarnath Temple: It is the first, and the most famous temple among the Panch Kedar templs of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath temple is the place where the hump of the bull form of Lord Shiva appeared. The temple remains closed during winters and at that time, devotees bring the idols of the temple to Ukhimath for worship.  Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kedarnath, the ‘Lord of Kedar Khand’, which is the historical name of the region.
  • Tungnath Temple: It comes second, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. Also, it is the highest Shiva temple in the world. Moreover, Tunganath mountains form Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. Tungnath is the place where the bahu (hands) appeared.
  • Madhyamaheshwar Temple: It comes fourth, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples followed by Kalpeshwar Temple. Peaks like Chaukhamba, Neel Kanth and Kedarnath surround the temple.Madhyamaheshwar Temple is the place where the navel of Lord Shiva appeared.
  • Kalpeshwar Temple:It comes last, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. One must visit Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar temples before Kalpeshwar temple. It is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year. Also, it is a small temple and devotees have to pass through a cave passage in order to reach it. Kalpeshwar Temple is the place where the Jata (Tress) of Lord Shiva appeared.

These temples are also a part of the Char Dham Yatra Destinations within Uttarakhand.

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