To Prevent Inconveniences during Chardham Journey, Know these Optional Routes

Pilgrims preparing for Char Dham Yatra 2018, which is going to begin this year by 18 April with the opening of Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines, need to be duly informed of the optional routes that exist for char Dham Yatra. Since expansion and widening of char Dham routes are on full swing this year, one could anticipate longer traffic jams along the journey.

In order to ensure smooth and unhindered journey, a good knowledge of alternate routes to reach the destinations is a must. The regional government is engaged in ensuring that the alternative routes are smooth and free of hindrances as well such that pilgrims can reach their holy destinations easily.

Along Badrinath Route

• If Rishikesh-Brahmapuri route is hindered, one can travel along Garud Chatti-Lakshman Jhula-Bairaj road.
• If Rishikesh-Devprayag road is hindered, you may use any of Devprayag-Gaja-Khadi-Narendranagar-Rishikesh or Devprayag- Baghban-Maletha-Gadolia-New Tehri -Chamba-Rishikesh roads.
• If the road between Bagban and Srinagar is obstructed, Khakhra-Khedakhal-Chhatikhal-Dhungripant is a valid option.
• If the route between Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag is obstructed, you can drive along any of Karnaprayag-Gairsain, Ranikhet-Haldwani or Paithani-Bubakhal-Kotdwar roads.
• If you find the road between Karnaprayag and Chamoli hindered, you can drive along Chamoli- Gopeshwar -Chopta-Kund-Rudraprayag route.

Along Kedarnath Route

• Rudraprayag-Tilwara-Ghansali-Tehri-Rishikesh route is a valid option for Kedarnath Yatra.
• If you find Tilwara-Kund obstructed, drive along Kund-Chopta- Gopeshwar -Chamoli.
• If Kund-Guptkashi is hindered, Guptkashi- Mayali-Ghansali-Tehri-Rishikesh is a valid option.

Along Yamunotri Route

There are four alternative routes to reach Yamunotri Dham if you find the conventional Rishikesh-Dehradun-Mussoorie- Barkot-Yamunotri route obstructed.

• If the obstruction is along Yamuna Bridge and Nainbagh, you may drive along Yamuna Bridge-Lakhwar Dam-Laksyar-Nainbagh.
• If Nainbagh-Naugaon route is hindered, Naugaon-Purola-Tyuni-Chakarata-Dehradun exists as a convenient option.
• Alternatively, Barnigad-Lakhamandal-Chakrata -Dehradun is also a valid option. But if Barkot-Yamunotri way is obstructed, there exists no other alternative route.