Rajan Mehta
Rajan is a food and travel writer based in Amritsar. He has written for multiple national publications and runs a popular food tour of the old city.
What is Char Dham?
The four dhams — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — are set in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand and form the most important Hindu pilgrimage circuit in North India. The temples open in May after winter snows recede and close in November.
The Correct Order
Tradition dictates visiting in this sequence: Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath. Each temple has a mythological significance tied to this eastward progression through the mountains.
Kedarnath, at 11,755 ft, surrounded by three sides of snow peaks, is one of the most dramatically positioned temples on earth — a place where the divine and the geological converge.
Kedarnath: Helicopter or Trek?
The Kedarnath shrine is accessible by helicopter (book well in advance — seats sell out months ahead) or by a 16km trek from Gaurikund. The trek takes 6–8 hours and passes through stunning alpine terrain.
Essential Practical Tips
Book accommodation well in advance, especially for Kedarnath and Badrinath which have limited rooms. Carry warm clothes even in summer — nights drop to near freezing. Hire a registered local guide for the trek portions.