Do Dham Yatra Packages

The Do Dham pilgrimage circuit is one of the most popular pilgrimages in India for Hindus. The most popular option for the Do Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is Kedarnath and Badrinath. Kedarnath is one of the holiest sites in India. To avoid confrontation with the Pandavas following the Kurukshetra war, Lord Shiva took the disguise of a bull. However, upon getting recognised by Bhima, he quickly disappeared, leaving some body parts of the bull at certain locations, including the hump at Kedarnath, the site where the Kedarnath Temple was built and has since been worshipped. Badrinath is one of the most significant sacred sites in the country. It is also a part of the original Char Dham Yatra. It is home to the revered Badrinath Temple, one of the 108 Dibya Desams of Lord Vishnu. Many legends surround this sacred site, with one of the most popular being that Lord Vishnu meditated here, unaware of the harsh cold. His consort, Lakshmi, protected him by taking the form of the Badri tree. Pleased by her devotion, Lord Vishnu named the place Badrika Ashram. Though there are multiple legends associated with each Dham, there’s no doubt that all of them have immense religious and cultural significance in India. Our Do Dham Yatra packages help you be a part of this incredible Yatra experience.

However, you can also choose to go on a Do Dham Yatra centred around Yamunotri and Gangotri. All four abodes have major significance in Hinduism and are part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra circuit in Uttarakhand. Yamunotri is the origin of the sacred Yamuna River and the abode of Goddess Yamuna. According to legends, it is believed that individuals who take a dip in the Yamuna River will attain salvation and relieve themselves from the torments of death. As for Gangotri, it is believed that the most sacred of all rivers, the Ganga, descended to earth from heaven at this Dham when Lord Shiva released the river from his locks.

There are some local traditions and rituals that are practised in Do  Dham that tourists should also know about and follow. For example, the Original Chota Char Dham pilgrimage should be completed in a clockwise direction, starting with Yamunotri and ending at Badrinath. So for example, you can start with Kedarnath and end at Badrinath for your Do Dham Yatra. There are sacred rivers flowing by these holy abodes, where devotees take a dip to wash away their sins and attain salvation. Find Do Dham yatra packages in your budget on our website.

Most Popular Do Dham Yatra Packages

Places to Visit in Do Dham 

• Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi

  Just behind the revered Kedarnath Temple is the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, the distinguished philosopher who created the original Char Dham Pilgrimage Circuit covering Puri, Rameswaram, Dwarka and Badrinath. He attained Nirvana at the age of 32 and is one of the most prominent figures in Hinduism. It is believed that he was the one who constructed the shrine back in the 8th century. Make sure to pay your respects at his Samadhi. Book your 2 Dham Yatra package on Thomas Cook online in a few easy steps.
  
  

• Vyas Gufa

  Just a few kilometres from Badrinath is Vyas Gufa, an ancient cave that is believed to be the place where sage Vyas, with the help of Lord Ganesha, composed the Indian epic, Mahabharata. You can consider including the nearby Ganesh Gufa, also associated with this legend, in your Do Dham itinerary. You can find a 2 Dham Yatra package that features this site on our website.
  
  

• Gauri Kund

  Gauri Kund is yet another popular religious site near Do Dham that you can visit. The place is associated with many legends, including the one where Devi Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife, did penance to win over Lord Shiva. This site is commonly featured in popular Do Dham tour packages.

Unique features of Do Dham

There are many sacred rivers flowing through the holy abodes of Do Dham, including River Alakananda, Mandakini, Bhagirathi, Ganges, etc. There are also numerous caves, lakes and natural hot springs across the region, most of which are part of the holy journey. Located in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalaya region, it is no wonder that the place is filled with stunning landscapes, mainly of green valleys, snow-capped mountains and lush forests. Most of these sites are featured in Do Dham yatra tour packages.

Famous Temples to Visit on Do Dham Tour

1. Kedarnath Temple

Nestled at an elevation of 3583 metres near the Mandakini River, the Kedarnath Temple is one of the most important Hindu Temples in India. It is one of Lord Shiva’s twelve Jyotirlinga and is only accessible for darshans at a certain period of the year due to the harsh weather conditions of the region. The temple is not directly accessible by road and can only be reached by completing a 22 km trek from Gaurikund. As per Hindu legends, the original temple was built by the Pandavas and Adi Shankara revived the temple centuries later.

The temple is also part of the Panch Kedar, along with Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpnath. The incredible architecture of this ancient temple and its scenic backdrop make for a visual treat. Inside the temple, there are statues and images of the five Pandava brothers, Lord Krishna, Nandi, Draupadi, and many other prominent figures of Hindu mythology. The presiding deity of the temple is in the form of a triangular-shaped lingam, placed on a giant pedestal. Find Do Dham Yatra packages designed around Kedarnath and Badrinath on Thomas Cook.

2. Badrinath Temple

Following Kedarnath, the next destination on the popular 2 Dham Yatra is Badrinath, home to the revered Badrinath Temple. This temple holds immense significance, particularly for Vaishnavas, and is one of India's most important religious sites. It is part of the original Char Dham Yatra established by Adi Shankara and is also one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. The temple’s main deity is Lord Badrinath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, worshipped as a black granite idol. This idol is believed to be one of the eight *Swayam Vyakta Kshetras*, or self-manifested images. Located at an elevation of 3100 metres, it is also only accessible at certain months of the year due to extreme weather conditions. The temple is known for its 50 metres tall colourful main gate, called Singhdwar, a thermal spring, called Tapt Kund, and for housing images of many other deities besides Lord Vishnu. Book Do Dham packages featuring Badrinath and Kedarnath on Thomas Cook.

Things to Know While Visiting Do Dham Tour

Here are some things that you should know before your Do Dham Yatra;

• Registration is important if you are visiting the holy abodes of Do Dham Yatra.
• The journey is a bit physically demanding, so make sure to follow a light workout routine a few weeks before the Yatra. 
• Respect the local culture and practices in the region.
• Wear modest and non-revealing clothes when visiting the temples.
• Cast off footwear outside the temple premises before entering. 
• Make sure to pack all the essential items for the trip, including food, water, warm clothes, a first aid kit, prescribed medication, a torch, etc.
• Avoid touching the idols within the temple.
• Make sure to not take pictures inside the temple premises of Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Best Time to Visit Do Dham

1. Summer season

Summer is the peak season for Do Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. It stretches from April to June and features pleasant temperatures and clear weather conditions. Though it is termed summer, make sure to carry warm clothes as the temperature stays on the lower side due to the high altitude. Due to high demand, make sure to book accommodation, transfers, Do Dham tour packages, etc., in advance.

2. Monsoon season

Monsoon covers the months of July to September in the region. The months of July and August are not ideal for the Do Dham Yatra as the region experiences heavy monsoon rainfall, which makes the yatra difficult due to the increased risk of floods and landslides. It is better to avoid Do Dham Yatra during this time. However, the time from mid-September onwards can be a good time for the Yatra as the rain discontinues around this period.

3. Winter season

Winter in the region starts in October and continues till March. Only the early part of winter, that is October, is ideal for going on the Do Dham Yatra. But do note that the weather around this month is very cold, featuring an average range of 5-15°C. As November approaches, the Yatra is closed down due to the oncoming harsh cold and rough weather.

Do Dham Yatra: A Transformative Journey to Kedarnath and Badrinath

A visit to Do Dham centred around Kedarnath and Badrinath, has been a life-altering experience for good. Part of the Chota Char Dham or the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra, these two sites have immense religious, cultural and historical importance in India for the people of the Hindu faith. After setting foot in Uttarakhand, as we were travelling through the winding roads leading to the first site of the Do Dham Yatra, Kedarnath, the feeling of an elevated thrill and excitement suddenly hit us from within. It was as if our heart was saying, “It is finally happening”. The feeling of visiting and paying our respect at the revered holy sites that many dream of visiting one day has been wonderful. The trek to the temples might be a bit challenging but it feels as if the Lord is testing our faith and perseverance. Once you reach the holy abodes, the feeling of fulfilment goes over the roof. As for stepping inside the temples, catching a glimpse of the deities and offering our prayers, it was a surreal experience. 

Adi Shankara once said, “Do not be proud of wealth, relations or youth. All these are snatched by time in the blink of an eye”, which resonated with me during the Do Dham Yatra. While we may not have real control over materialistic possessions, the experience and feeling of fulfilment and peace we achieved by visiting the holy abodes of Kedarnath and Badrinath can never be taken away from us.

Famous Foods to Eat in Do Dham?

1. Thechwani

It is a heartwarming vegetarian dish from the region, prepared using potato and radish roots from the mountainous region. They are mashed together with some ginger, tomatoes, onions, and a series of spices and herbs. Thechwani is best eaten alongside bread or rice.

2. Kafuli

Kafuli is a leafy vegetable dish, made using locally produced fresh ingredients like ginger, fenugreek leaves, curd, spinach, garlic, onion and a few spices. This Garhwali version of Saag is best consumed with Chapati or steamed rice.

3. Kode ki Roti

This flatbread is a staple food in the region. It is a roti made with a type of grain that is grown in the region, called Koda or Ragi. It is served hot with a topping of butter and is usually paired with aromatic daal.

4. Kumaoni Raita

It is a type of delicious Raita made using coriander, fresh cucumber, yoghurt, local herbs, and salt (as per taste). These ingredients are chopped and mixed in the yoghurt to form a semi-viscous yield, which will feel divine on your taste buds.

5. Chaunsu

Chaunsu is a simple dish made by first roasting black lentils and then grinding them until a powdery texture is achieved. The powder is then cooked alongside some regional herbs and spices in a curry form and paired with rice or chapati at the dinner table.

Divine Souvenirs from Do Dham 

Make sure to leave some room on your Do Dham tour itinerary to go shopping in the region. If you are interested in gift and souvenir shopping, consider purchasing these items during your do dham yatra;

1. Religious books and other accessories 

As you explore the region on your Do Dham Yatra, you may find the urge to learn more about the local culture and religious history. For this, you can shop for religious books, which can be a great read for yourself or a gift for the elderly. You can also shop for religious items like Rudraksha Mala, pictures of deities, incense sticks, etc.

2. Sacred Jal

Devotees on their holy Do Dham Yatra like to bring a part of the sacred blessings for their loved ones at home. Hence, they buy sacred jal, available in small sealed containers, which also have many spiritual uses.

3. Woollen clothing

There are plenty of stores across the region selling high-quality woollen shawls and other clothing at reasonable prices. These are great for personal use as well as gifts for the loved ones.

4. Wood and stone craftwork

The region is filled with skilled craftsmen, who show a glimpse of the local art and culture through their products. If you want, you can shop for wooden and stone craftwork, such as small figurines of deities while on your Do Dham Yatra.