Yamunotri Dham : Tour Highlights

The Char Dham Yatra, as it's commonly called or more accurately, the Chota Char Dham Yatra, is a very important Hindu pilgrimage destination in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

The four destinations in Chota Char Dham are Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. It is a spiritual journey which people undertake for cleansing one’s soul, attaining liberation and getting moksha.

The Char Dham Yatra begins from the Yamunotri temple in the Uttarkashi district and from there it goes to other three places namely Kedarnath, Gangotri and finally ends at Badrinath, which is at the highest altitude. The total distance covered by this yatra is about 2500 kms and can be done on foot which was what people did and still do traditionally or on horsebacks and now helicopter services have also started.

The yatra begins from the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya, which falls either in April or may and ends during diwali. Maximum tourists do the yatra in the first two months itself before the monsoon to avoid being stuck in landslides. In winter months the yatra is closed due to snowfall in the region.

Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun city in Uttarakhand becomes the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra.

Traditionally, people start the pilgrimage from Yamunotri, followed by Gangotri and Kedarnath, ending the Yatra at Badrinath.

Yamunotri

The temple at yamunotri is dedicated to goddess yamuna and is represented as black marble idol of goddess. It acts as a source of river yamuna. It is located in the garhwal region of himalayas in the uttarkashi district of uttarakhand at an altitude of 3291 meters. The last 13kms to reach the temple can only be done on foot or on horses and palanquins.

Yamunotri – How it Originated - Legends & Myths

According to the legends it is believed that a great sage called asit muni lived in that region and had a daily ritual of having bath in ganga river but as he grew old, he couldn’t travel so river ganga herself appeared beside yamuna so that he could continue his ritual. It is believed that the current hot water spring surya kund is the river ganga itself.

Another legend states that yamuna is twin sister to lord yam and she had promised him that whoever takes a dip in her water all their sins would wash away and they can evade untimely death. Hence, people after visiting yamunotri will take a dip in yamuna.

The temple was constructed by garhwal king sudarshan shah in 18th century and was later rebuilt by rani of jaipur as it was destroyed by an earthquake.

Best time to visit Yamunotri

The best time to visit Yamunotri is from april/ may after akshay tritya when the temple first opens to june where the temperatures are very comfortable, they range between 10- 20-degree c. It is also peak season hence we see a lot of tourists during this time owing to summers and vacations in schools and colleges.

The months of September till the second day of Diwali are relatively less crowded as the temperatures can drop very low with a high possibility of snowfall in latter months making the journey on foot difficult.
The months of june to September are months of monsoon season, which is not a typical time to travel due to frequent occurrence of landslides and road blockages due to heavy rainfall in the region.

Places to visit in and around Yamunotri

Yamunotri is accessible via foot for its last 13 kms from the town of hanuman chatti or 6kms from janki chatti.

• Hanuman Chatti: A popular town for stop over for pilgrims coming to yamunotri. It is believed that it is named after lord hanuman who took refuge her on his way to rescue sita from ravan. 
  There are two trekking options to reach yamunotri from hanuman chatti one from the right side via markandeya tirth and other via kharsali town. 
• Kharsali: It’s the most preferred town to start the trek to yamunotri. During winter months the idol of goddess yamuna is brough down from yamunotri as the road gets snowed in and it’s worshipped at a temple in kharsali by the priests and then taken back at akshya tritya.
• Yamunotri Temple: As part of char dham yatra it is one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in india. The pilgrims seek the blessings of goddess yamuna which is represented in the form of a black idol.
• Surya Kund: it’s a natural hot water spring located near yamunotri. The temperature of the spring stays about 88 degree c and a prasad of potatoes or rice mixed with salt is ties in a muslin cloth and dipped in the water and once cooked it offered to the deity and the taken home or eaten as a prasad. 
• Divya Shila: is a sacred pillar or rock near yamunotri where pilgrims first seek blessings here and then enter the main temple.
• Saptrishi Kund Trek: Located at a height of more than 4000 mts is a high-altitude lake and believed to be the original source of river yamuna formed by the champasar glacier originating from bandarpunch mountaim. It is roughly 7kms from yamunotri but its quite a difficult trek to do. It is believed that the seven rishis meditated at this spot near the lake during ancient times.

How to reach Yamunotri

As Yamunotri is a major pilgrimage destination and part of Char Dham Yatra it is very well connected by major cities like Dehradun which is only 170 kms away. One has to reach to Hanuman Chatti and from there it is a full one-day trek to Yamunotri 13kms away or Janki Chatti from where it is 4 kms to Yamunotri.

• By Air: The nearest Airport to Yamunotri is Dehradun Airport or Jolly Grant airport which is just 210 kms away and the nearest International Airport is New Delhi International Airport which is more than 400 kms away. Helicopter services are also available from Dehradun airport taking directly to Yamunotri.
• By Rail: Rishikesh and Dehradun railway stations are closest stations to Yamunotri and they are well connected with frequent trains from major destinations of India.
• By Road: There are no direct motorable roads to reach Yamunotri, one has to trek from Hanuman Chitti to reach up. Most cities of Uttarakhand are connected via road to reach Hanuman chitti via taxis or busses.

Important Things To Carry

1. Clothing:

• Travelling to Yamunotri one will require to be dressed in warm yet comfortable clothing as the weather is quite cold. Layering your clothes hence becomes important and practical.
• Wearing thermal tops and bottoms is a must esp. when travelling during winter months along with some woolen or thermal socks. Over the thermals one can wear layers of other clothing items to keep warm.
• A woolen cap or a beanie will keep one warm especially when winds are strong.
• As one has to undertake a trek to reach the temple comfortable and sturdy shoes are a must.
• A waterproof jacket, torch as it gets dark quite early and sunscreen should be carried too.
• Important thing to note is that shorts, miniskirts, night suits and torn jeans aren’t allowed inside some temple hence it would be better if they are avoided.

2. Essential Documents: As a part of Char Dham Yatra prior registration is COMPULSORY on the official website or app. A government id proof such as Aadhar card, passport or driving license is required at all hotels or guest houses while you check in. additionally some permits might be required while visiting some national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

3. Medicines: If you are on any lifelong medicines definitely carry those. Along with it one can carry a few basic medicines for fever and pain relief and some basic first aid stuff like band aids, antiseptics and ointments.

Since it’s a high-altitude region acclimatization is very important and necessary medication and advise has to be followed.

4. Miscellaneous: Other items like torch, umbrella, raincoats, sturdy backpack to keep some raincoats etc and sunscreen can be carried too.

FAQs ABOUT YAMUNOTRI

Q1. Is Helicopter Service Available To Visit Yamunotri?

Ans: Yes, helicopter services are available from Dehradun till Kharsali and from there one has to do a short trek to reach Yamunotri.

Q2. What Is The Best Time To Visit Yamunotri?

Ans: The best time to visit is as the temple opens on Akshay Tritya in April or May as the temperatures are manageable 12 – 20-degree C till June.  During monsoon the risk of landslide is quite high and during winter months the temple is closed due to heavy snowfall in the region.

Q3. Is It Compulsory To Do Yamunotri First?

Ans: It is not compulsory to do Yamunotri first. According to one’s convenience any dham can be done first.