Successfull completed yatra of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath

By the grace of almighty God and Aashirwad of Dutta Maharaj, with blessings and best wishes from you all we have successfully completed yatra of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath. Except for some small health problems for 3-4 persons, the Yatra got concluded uneventful.

I thank from the bottom of my heart each and every one of you.

1. *YAMUNOTRI :*

After reaching the base camp at Janakichatti, one has 4 options to reach Yamunotri viz Walk of 6 kms, hire a Doli / Palakhi costing Rs.8,000/- both ways, hire a Horse / Pony costing Rs.2,500/- both ways, hire a Kandi / Pittu/ Basket.

In our team 6 of us (including me) hired Pony. 2 with Child and 4 others hired Doli, rest climbed the Hill by walk. 2 amongst them got exhausted after 3 kms & hired Pony.

*Pony ride at Yamunotri is very very dangerous, my opinion is try to avoid Pony ride at this place.*

2. *Gangotri :*

The tourist vehicles terminate about 1 to 1.5 kms away from Gangotri. We have to walk down this distance. For those who cannot walk, wheel chairs are available at Rs.500/- both ways.

2 of our Members took holy dip in Bhagirathi river ice-cold water. Rest only did "prokshana". There was big Q for Darshan and for us it took nearly 2 hrs.

There is provision of Prasadam here.

3. *Kedarnath :*

This is the tuffest of the 4 Dhams. From Guptkashi, we have to go to Son prayag by our vehicle. 

From Son prayag there are Govt., driven Bolero Taxis are there upto Gourikund - the base camp of Kedarnath, costing Rs.50/- per head for 5 kms. From that point we have to walk for about 1.5 kms to reach Doli, Pony, Kandi stand. It is a distance of 17 kms from here to Kedarnath.

Doli costs anything between Rs.8,000/- to 15,000/- ONE WAY depending on your weight. A Pony costs between Rs.4,000/- to 6,000/- ONE WAY depending on demand. A Kandi costs Rs.6,000/- to Rs.10,000/- ONE WAY depending on your weight.

Lot of people of all ages climb up by walk also.

Doli takes about 7-8 hrs,

Pony takes about 5 hrs,

Kandi takes about 8 hrs.

They drop you at their respective stands. From there Mandir is 2.5 kms and it is uphill task to climb. So Kandis can be hired at a cost of Rs.600/- to reach Temple.

Weather : It was very cold since temp was in minus and very light snow showers were there at night.

Accommodation: Hotels are there, Ashrams and GVMN Tents are available apart from private tents.

Darshan : very very long Qs will be there. When stood in the Q it was 0300 hrs in (chill), we had Darshan of Lord Kedarnath Baba at 0900 hrs. It took 6 hrs.

For return you will have to climbdown 2.5 kms to the respective stands.

Return fares are :

Doli Rs.10,000/- to Rs.15,000/- depending on your weight & demand. Official fare is Rs.8,000/-.

Kandi Rs.8,000/- to 10,000/-. Pony costs Rs.4,000/- to 7,000/-.

*Helicopter services are available from Guptkashi,  Phata and Sirsi.*

*From Guptkashi cost is about Rs.7,900/- BOTH WAYS. From Phata & Sersi the Cost is Rs.5854/- BOTH WAYS.*

*From Phata Sirsi it is 7 minutes fly and from Guptkashi it is 10 minutes.*

*In my opinion, we should not venture to go to Kedarnath, without Helicopter.*

4. *Badrinath :*

Vehicles go upto Badri town. The temple is just at a walkable distance.

Many Hotels, Lodges have come up now. From Pandukeshwar checkpoint to Badri it is only less than 10 kms, but takes more than 1 hrs drive, because of Road widening, road doubling work is in progress.

Climate : Very Very Chilli with occasion snow falls & snow showers.

Darshan : We stood in the Q for Darshan at 0200 hrs and  had Darshan at 0600 hrs. It took us 4 hrs of standing in Q in cold weather.

C T JOSHI