Situated majestically at an elevation of 3,293 meters above sea level in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas, Yamunotri is one of the most pious sites for Hindus. Located at a distance of 30 kms from the holy town of Uttarkashi this place witnesses a throng of devout devotees each year during their Chota Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand. This place is divided by a gently snaking river which runs through this town and offers magnificent views of the rolling green mountains. The temple here serves as the seat for goddess Yamuna and the source of the river is at the Champasar glacier which is situated at a distance from the main temple Dham. Apart from its religious significance Yamunotri also serves as an appealing destination for people looking for some peace, quiet, and tranquility. Yamunotri is also famous for its natural hot water thermal springs and the surrounding places of excursions which guarantee to leave you with a lifetime’s worth of memories. Yamunotri is the perfect and breathtaking blend of deep spirituality and incredible natural beauty.
Location
The main temple shrine of Yamunotri is located at a distance of 13 kms from the holy town of Hanuman Chatty and at a 6 km walking distance from Jankichatti. If you are opting for an alternate method of travelling like ponies and palanquins then your journey towards the Dham will commence from here. The motorable road goes on until Janki Chatti through Syana Chatti which is situated at a distance of 50 kms from Barkot. Once you reach Jankichatti then you will be required to trek for 5 kms. This hamlet is located right among the lush greenery, gushing water, and exhilarating meadows. The location of Yamunotri Dham is extremely breathtaking and the perfect place to become one with nature.
How to Reach Yamunotri
By Air: The nearest airport to Yamunotri lies at Dehradun which is the Jolly Grant airport and is situated at a distance of 210 kms from the main town. Once you arrive at the airport you will be required to hail a cab to reach Yamunotri.
By Road – The town of Yamunotri is well connected with a wide network of good roads. Regular bus services are available which runs regularly to Hanuman Chatti from various places within the state.
By Train – In case you are planning by train then you will be reaching Dehradun railway station which is located at a distance of 172 kms from the main town of Yamunotri. There are fleets of cabs available outside the railway station which will take you to Yamunotri.
Best Time to Visit
Being situated at a whopping height the hilly town of Yamunotri experiences extreme weather conditions. During the winter times, the region gets entirely covered in a thick blanket of stunning white snow. During the summer months when the snow clears the weather becomes more pleasant and bearable for visitors and travelers but the weather remains at a comfortable temperature. This is the time when the Chota Char Dham Yatra commences and the town pours in with pilgrims and devotees, not only from India but also from abroad. Whenever you are planning on visiting it is important for you to carry light to heavy woolen winter wear depending on the month you visit.
Accommodation Facility at Yamunotri
Stay options at Yamunotri are limited which are generally budget friendly. There is also Dharamshala available at Yamunotri. Traveler’s lodges are made available at Janki Chatti which is created for the convenience of the devotees and pilgrims. A few of the accommodation facilities are also present in Barkot. A guest house which is run by GMVN is also present here along with a dormitory. Apart from guest houses and lodges Yamunotri also contains options for homestays and hotels.
Food Availability
Being a holy town the food available here is mostly Satvik i.e. devoid of any onion or garlic. There is a range of roadside food and snack stalls available. The food quality is freshly prepared but of average quality. Hotels offer some different food cuisines of various varieties which appeals to travelers. Close to the parking lot, there is also a range of hotels present in a row offering several food items. While trekking to the main Dham temple you will also have the option to gorge on some average quality food selections. All in all, it is advised for you to not keep your hopes up in the case of food.
Places to See Around Yamunotri
Saptarishi Kund
Situated at a distance of 10 kms from the main temple Dham shrine of Yamunotri Saptarishi Kund is famed for being the original source of the holy river Yamuna. Being situated on the upper regions of the Bandarpoonch massif this is considered to be the ideal trekking option for adventure enthusiasts. This trekking expedition will be of a good 2 to 3 days which will take you across some of the most breathtaking destinations near Yamunotri Dham.
Divya Shila
Situated extremely close to the natural hot water spring of Surya Kund, Divya Shila is a holy slab of stone or a pillar-like structure that is known for being extremely significant for religious purposes. As a part of their ritual, the devotees first offer their puja rituals and prayers at this point before heading onwards to the main temple shrine of Yamunotri.
Kharsali
Also popularly known as Khushi Math this charming village hamlet is situated at an elevation of 2,675 metres above sea level and nestled in the Uttarkashi district. This village also holds some religious significance since this is the place where goddess Yamuna is brought during the winter season for the pilgrims to visit even when the roads close off for Darshan due to snowfall.
Barkot
This sleepy town of Barkot is a quiet and serene hamlet that is located at an elevation of 1,220 meters above sea level. You will be able to witness the awe-inspiring and incredibly beautiful Bandarpoonch peaks making it a refreshing and rejuvenating spot for nature lovers. this place is also a summer retreat for people looking to beat the heat of the plains and get some peace of mind.
Sitting at an elevation of 2,650 metres above sea level Janki Chatti is popular for its hot springs and naturally occurring thermal water. This place acts as one of the major hubs for pilgrimage during the open season for pilgrimage. Alternate travel options like ponies and palanquins start their journey to the Yamunotri Dham. Initially, the starting point used to be Hanuman Chatty but later on, it was moved to Janki Chatii for the convenience of the pilgrims.
Origin of River Yamuna
The origin of River Yamuna falls on the Yamunotri glacier which is situated at an elevation of 6,315 meters above sea level. Sitting against the steep slopes just on the foothills of Kalind Peak, from this point the holy River Yamuna reaches the popular Kalind Peak which is located on the downward route to Saptarishi Kund creating a series of waterfalls. Towards the western end of the Kalind Parvat is the Bandarpoonch, a dominant mountain range that is located in the central Himalayan region of Garhwal and can be seen evidently from anywhere.
Associated Legends
As per Hindu legends, once when Lord Hanuman had doused his entire tail in a fire in an attempt to burn off Ravana’s Sri Lanka, it was here, in the cool and freezing waters of Yamuna at Bandarpoonch. This is how this place got its current name which means monkey’s tail. Another legend associated with this place is the fact that this place was used as a hermitage for sage Asit Muni. This muni used to take a bath in both the holy rivers of Ganga as well as Yamuna. However, during his old age, he was unable to travel to Gangotri. Soon his problems were recognized by the almighty who then created a stream of Ganga which then started to flow right beside the holy river Yamuna.
Yamunotri Dham Temple
This temple is one of the holiest and pious centers of pilgrimage during the Chota Char Dham Yatra of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. This temple is dedicated to goddess Yamuna and the presiding deity is in the form of a black marble idol. Reaching Yamunotri Dham will require you to travel for a full day from the nearby holy towns of Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun. The temple was constructed by Amar Singh Thapa during the 18th century and later on it was damaged and even reconstructed by the 19th century. The temple has withstood the test of time and has faced devastating damages due to flooding and snowfall twice. However, both times it was renovated and given its present shape and face. Each year during the Char Dham Yatra, massive throngs of pilgrims flock here together to offer their prayers to the almighty.
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