“What began as a distant dream became the most soulful journey of my life.”
Introduction: Busting the Myth
It’s often believed that the Char Dham Yatra is only for the elderly. But that myth was beautifully shattered on our 2024 journey—a pilgrimage that brought together grandparents, parents, and children into the heart of the Himalayas. This wasn’t just a yatra; it was a blend of faith, family, and fierce adventure.
The Inspiration: A Dream Born in Conversation
Two years ago, my cousin Nilesh introduced me to the concept of Chardham and Jyotirlingas. I was intrigued. Today, I’ve already completed 9 Jyotirlingas and 2 Chardhams. With three more Jyotirlingas and two Chardhams left, Kedarnath was next on my radar.
And this time, I wasn’t going alone. At 43, I took a leap—with my parents and kids—making this a three-generation odyssey.
The Pilgrimage Begins: 17 Days, 15 Souls, 2 Cars, 1 Divine Purpose
Day 0: Preparing for Chardham yatra
Before we start our main journey, we took a small mock trek route near Mumbai.
Day 1: Mumbai to Gandhinagar and Gandhinagar Explorations
We kicked off the road trip from Mumbai to Gandhinagar, where my cousin joined us with his XUV 700. 15 family members across two vehicles. The excitement was building. Before heading north, we explored Gandhinagar’s calm temples and scenic spots, soaking in the quiet before the storm.
Day 2: Gandhinagar to Delhi
A full day of driving. We powered through, catching glimpses of changing terrain and sipping endless chai.
Day 3: Delhi to Haridwar via Rishikesh
We reunited with the rest of the family who flew in. The evening Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh, was deeply moving. My feet in the holy Ganga—pure bliss.
Into the Himalayas: Spiritual Adventures Unfold
Day 4: Haridwar to Barkot
The mountains began to appear, and with them, serenity. Nature turned denser and more mystical.
Day 5: Yamunotri Trek
A 7 km uphill trek tested our endurance but rewarded us with darshan at Yamunotri Temple—the first Dham. The hot springs and glacier views were unforgettable.
Day 6: Barkot to Uttarkashi
We reached Uttarkashi and visited a replica of Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Calm and peace enveloped us.
Day 7: Gangotri Excursion
Gangotri stole my heart. Collecting Ganga Jal from the pristine waters and praying at the source—it felt like touching divinity itself.
Day 8: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
A long, scenic drive, with the mountains unfolding in their full glory.
The Crown Jewel: Kedarnath
Day 9: The Ultimate Trek to Kedarnath
We traveled via Sitapur, Sonprayag, Gaurikund, and started our 24 km trek to Kedarnath. Every step was a challenge, but the darshan at Kedarnath Temple, surrounded by snow-clad peaks, was beyond words.
Day 10: Back to Guptkashi
We retraced our journey, our bodies sore but hearts full. I’ll never forget the peace I felt after those grueling 24 kilometers.
The Final Dham and the Northernmost Village
Day 11: Guptkashi to Joshimath
We rested and prepared for the last spiritual ascent.
Day 12: Badrinath and Mana Village
The Badrinath Temple, majestic and serene. Mana Village, India’s last before Tibet, with the Saraswati River’s origin, the Bhima Pul, and the confluence of Alaknanda and Saraswati—was surreal.
Winding Down: Descent and Reflection
Day 13: Joshimath to Haridwar
Back to the plains, back to the Ganga. We visited Shri Dhari Devi Temple, a powerful and emotional stop after completing the Chardham.
Days 14–16: Haridwar to Gandhinagar (19-Hour Drive!)
We skipped Jaipur due to the heat and did a crazy 1200 km non-stop drive in 19 hours straight! Every family member showed amazing strength.
Day 17: Gandhinagar to Mumbai
Finally, back to Mumbai. Same place we started, but completely transformed inside.
Divine Add-Ons: Temples and Prayags We Visited
- Shri Dhari Devi Temple
- Hanuman Temple
- Panch Prayag: Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, Devprayag
- Shri Narsingh Laxmi Temple in Joshimath
Personal Reflection: Trust in the Unknown
Despite 6 months of preparation, my heart was racing. But I handed it all to God. And somewhere along those Himalayan roads, my fears disappeared. I found strength in the unknown, comfort in faith, and peace in surrender.
Chardham Yatra 2024 Itinerary (At a Glance)
Day 1: Mumbai - Gandhinagar
Day 2: Gandhinagar Sightseeing
Day 3: Gandhinagar - Delhi
Day 4: Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Haridwar
Day 5: Haridwar - Barkot
Day 6: Barkot - Yamunotri - Barkot
Day 7: Barkot - Uttarkashi
Day 8: Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi
Day 9: Uttarkashi - Guptkashi
Day 10: Guptkashi - Kedarnath
Day 11: Kedarnath - Guptkashi
Day 12: Guptkashi - Joshimath
Day 13: Joshimath - Badrinath - Mana - Joshimath
Day 14: Joshimath - Haridwar (via Dhari Devi)
Day 15: Haridwar - Gandhinagar (19 hrs drive)
Day 16: Gandhinagar (rest)
Day 17: Gandhinagar - Mumbai
Watch Our Entire Journey on YouTube
Experience the adventure, devotion, and joy in our full video series:
Watch the Chardham 2024 Road Trip Vlogs on YouTube
Pro Tip: Paste this YouTube link directly into your WordPress block editor to auto-embed the playlist.
Final Thoughts: The Himalayas Changed Me
What started as a journey of devotion became a transformation of the spirit. The Himalayas taught me humility, patience, and the power of family. I don’t know how it will affect my daily life, but something inside me has changed—permanently.
