Char Dham Yatra - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Hemkund is a Sikh Pilgrim centre on the Badrinath route and involves 21 km trek to 4329 m via Ghanjhira. Valley Of Flowers is 5 km from Ghanjhira. Yamunotri & Kedarnath involves 13 km trek (one way).

Major Hindu pilgrim centres in Uttarakhand, India in the Himalayas.



YAMUNOTRI

The first stopover for the Char Dham Yatra is the westernmost shrine of Yamunotri in the Garhwal Himalayas. Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, it is perched atop a flank of the Bandar Poonchh peak (3165 m above sea level) and is situated opposite to Gangotri. The shrine attracts devotees in large numbers from May to October. Yamnotri to Gangotri : 120 km.

The Shrine of Yamunotri, source of river Yamuna is situated in the direction opposite to Gangotri and the road bifurcates and goes to Yamunotri from Dharasu, a place between Rishikesh-Uttarkashi. Yamunotri can also be visited via Mussoorie and Barkot. Situated at an elevation of 3235 m above sea-level, the shrine of Yamunotri is one of the ‘four dhams’ of Uttarakhand. The source of Yamuna lies about 1 km ahead at an altitude of about 4421 m. The approach is extremely difficult and pilgrims therefore offer pooja at the temple itself. There are hot springs close to the temple, a bath in them is very refreshing after a tedious 14 km trek from Hanumanchatti or 5 km from Janki Chatti.

General Information

Climate : Summer : Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter : Snow-bound touching sub-zero.
Clothing Summer : Light woolens. Winter : Very heavy woolens.
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali, English

Altitude of Places Enroute (in meter) :

Rishikesh 340, Narendranagar 1,067, Chamba 1,524 , Tehri 770, Dharasu 1036, Bhramkhal 1158, Barkot 1828, Sayanachatti 1982, anumanchatti 2134, Phoolchatti 2561, Jankichatti 2676, Yamunotri 3235

Accommodation : Only Dharamshalas are available at Yamunotri. There is a Tourist Rest House at Janki Chatti.

Eating Out : Only local eating houses (dhabas) are available. Non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks are prohibited in Yamunotri.

SIGHTSEEING

Temple of Goddess Yamuna : The temple was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again. The temple remains closed from November to May. The trek to Yamunotri from Hanumanchatti is spectacular, dominated by a panorama of rugged peaks and dense forests.

Surya Kund (88 oC) : There are a number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple which flow into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund. Devotees prepare rice and potatoes to offer at the shrine, by dipping them in these hot water springs, tied in muslin cloth.

Divya Shila : A rock pillar, worshiped before entering the Yamunotri temple.