State Guide • India

Pilgrimage Sites in Uttarakhand

Home to the Char Dham, the Panch Kedar, the source of the Ganga and Yamuna — Uttarakhand is the holiest state in India, drawing millions of pilgrims each year into the Himalayas.

Sacred sites in Uttarakhand
Dev Bhoomi — Land of the Gods

The Himalayan Pilgrimage Hub

Uttarakhand, known as "Dev Bhoomi" (Land of the Gods), is home to more significant pilgrimage sites per square kilometre than perhaps any other region on earth. The entire Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayan ranges are considered sacred — dotted with ancient temples, glacial rivers, hot springs and the source points of India's most revered rivers.

The Chota Char Dham Yatra — encompassing Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath — is the most famous pilgrimage circuit in the Himalayas, drawing over 3 million pilgrims annually. Haridwar and Rishikesh at the foothills serve as the gateway cities, themselves home to dozens of major temples and the site of the great Kumbh Mela.

50Major pilgrimage sites
4Char Dham sites
5Panch Kedar temples
Sacred Destinations

Major Pilgrimage Sites in Uttarakhand

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga

Kedarnath

📍 Rudraprayag

The highest Jyotirlinga at 3,583 m — accessible by trek or helicopter from May to November.

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Badrinath Char Dham

Badrinath

📍 Chamoli

Lord Vishnu's Himalayan abode — the northernmost Char Dham between the Nar and Narayan ranges.

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Gangotri Chota Char Dham

Gangotri

📍 Uttarkashi

Where the Ganga descended to earth — gateway to the Gangotri Glacier and Gaumukh.

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Yamunotri Chota Char Dham

Yamunotri

📍 Uttarkashi

Source of the sacred Yamuna — accessible only by a 5 km trek from Janki Chatti.

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Haridwar Kumbh Mela

Haridwar

📍 Haridwar

The gateway to the gods — where the Ganga descends to the plains and the Kumbh Mela is held.

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Rishikesh Yoga Capital

Rishikesh

📍 Dehradun

World capital of yoga and the last town before the Himalayan pilgrim routes begin.

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When to Visit

Best Time to Visit Uttarakhand

PeriodCrowdsWeatherNotes
May – JuneVery HighPleasant, 10–25°CPeak Char Dham season — book accommodation months ahead
July – AugLowMonsoon, landslidesHigh-altitude treks dangerous; Haridwar/Rishikesh still open
Sep – OctHighClear, 5–20°CBest weather for Himalayan temples; routes closing in Nov
Nov – AprVery LowSnow, -10 to 5°CChar Dham temples closed; Haridwar & Rishikesh open year-round

Pilgrim Tips for Uttarakhand

  • Book Kedarnath helicopter tickets and Badrinath accommodation well in advance — spots sell out months ahead during peak season.
  • Carry warm layers even in May and June — temperatures drop sharply after dark at all Char Dham sites above 2,000 m.
  • Register at the Devasthanam Board portal before your yatra — mandatory for Char Dham pilgrims.
  • Start the Chota Char Dham Yatra in the traditional order: Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath (west to east).
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Other State Pilgrimage Guides

Uttar PradeshVaranasi, Mathura, Ayodhya, PrayagrajGujaratSomnath, Dwarka, NageshwarTamil NaduRameshwaram, Madurai, Kanchipuram