Do Dham is the most spiritual pilgrimage journey in India. Every year lakhs of Hindu devotees come here for the blessing of lord Badri Vishal and lord Kedar. This is a spiritual journey that brings you to the Himalayan and you can take the blessing of Kedarnath and Badrinath temple.
Kedarnath temple is dedicated to lord shiva it’s the most famous temple in Uttarakhand and is located at a high altitude of 3583 meters in Himalayan surrounded by the snow-capped mountain lush green meadow. Usually, most pilgrims start their journey from the Gaurikund. The starting point of the Kedarnath is usually this trek 16 km long where you can begin your trekking to Kedarnath temple. Usually, this Kedarnath trek is not easy but it will help you get closer to god and nature.

Badrinath is another part of the do Dham yatra. Badrinath is dedicated to lord Vishnu known as Badri. This temple is located at a high altitude of 3133 meters in Uttarakhand. If I talk about the Badrinath temple, this temple is situated on the bank of the Alaknanda River in the stunning background of Neelkanth Peak. This temple is famous for its stunning architecture and its spiritual significance. Unlike Kedarnath, the journey of Badrinath is easy and accessible by road for Hindu pilgrimages. Every year lakhs of pilgrims visit this temple making it one of the most visited temples in India for Hindus. 

What You Need to Know for the Do Dham

Do Dham is a spiritual journey that can takes you closer both to god and nature. This journey has huge importance to Hindu devotees if you are planning to do dham yatra here are the few things you need to know before arriving and if you follow these things this will make your journey smooth, calm, and enjoyable.

The best time to visit 

The best time to go on this journey is May to October. At this time the temples are open, the path is safe for travel and you don’t face heavy rain and snowfall. Try to avoid doing your journey in the monsoon season in (July and August) season at this time you have to face heavy rain and snowfall usually do dhams close for six months a year because of the risk of landslides 

How to reach Do Dham 

To start your journey to Kedarnath and Badrinath you need to take a train to Rishikesh or Haridwar or you can take a flight to Jolly Grant Airport which is also known as Dehradun Airport. You can also take a bus from New Delhi or nearby cities to reach Haridwar, the starting point of the Do Dham Yatra. From Haridwar, you can take a bus or personal cab to reach Gaurikund which is a base point of Kedarnath yatra. From here you need to complete a 16 km trek for this yatra. You can take Ponies, Kandi, and Dandi.

 After completing your Kedarnath yatra, you can go directly to Badrinath temple which is around 250 km away from the Sonpryag and will take around 8 to 9 hours to reach there. Road is the only mode of transport to travel to these regions after Haridwar. 

Registration 

Before starting this journey you need to register yourself. for registration There are two modes available first is online and the second is offline. For online registration you can register yourself at https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/ or for offline registration service available near Rishikesh and Haridwar bus stops for this you need your ID proof like an Aadhar card, Passport, Voter I card, etc. 

This registration purpose is to ensure your and other pilgrimages' safety.

Things to Pack For Do Dham 

This journey is time-consuming so make sure to pack the following things in your bag 

• Raincoat
• Trekking shoes
• Warm clothes
• First aid kit 
• Sunglasses
• Powerbank
• Water bottle
• Cash
• Light snacks

Physical preparation

For this journey, you need to walk for a long distance so it’s recommended that before starting your journey make sure to do light exercise and walking practice a few weeks before your yatra to improve your stamina. If you are facing any medical issues consult with a doctor and if you are unable to walk for long distances then it’s recommended that you take khachkar, palki, and pony or you can book a helicopter service for yourself. 

Accommodation and food

For the Do Dham journey, there are many hotels and guest houses available based on your budget. and for food, there are many dhabas, and small restaurants available where you can get food along the way. Here you can get vegetarian food everywhere, and have already mentioned that this journey is open only for six months a year; the peak time is May to October. So if you are planning your journey it’s recommended that you book your accommodation in advance before starting your journey. or you can take Do Dham yatra package here you don’t need to worry about the accommodation and other things they will manage each and everything so I would like to recommend Manchala Mushafir It’s the reputed tour and travel company based in India and provides pilgrimage tour and travel services at an affordable price. So if you are planning for your upcoming journey you must check out this company. It has 4.7 ratings and thousands of reviews on Google. 

Respect Local Customs 

This journey is a spiritual journey for many devotees in India. If you are coming for this journey make sure to dress modestly and respect the local customs and culture of the people. and keep in mind these things to make your journey smooth and calm. Because do dham is not only a visit to two temples but a journey of spirituality and devotion. Also, enjoy this beautiful journey with other fellow travelers and enjoy this iconic view of snow-capped mountains, lush green meadows, and nature’s beauty.

Conclusion 

The Do Dham journey is not only an adventure journey but also a spiritual journey for many devotees. This journey takes you to two Holy temples of Kedarnath and Badrinath. Where you can find a feeling of real peace and connect your soul with spirituality by knowing the best time to visit, things to carry, physical preparation, accommodation, and respect for local costumes these things help you to make your journey more peaceful, enjoyable, and adventures