Yamunotri Dham, Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand has four char Dham sites. One of these sites is found in Yamunotri. This makes it a great religious pilgrimage center. It is a town in the north of the Uttarkashi town. The distance between the two towns is approximately thirty kilometers. The Yamunotri town is located in the Uttarakhand state of India, in a division known as Garhwal. The town lies at an altitude of approximately three thousand two hundred meters above Sea level. Yamunotri is known as one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimages sites. There are several reasons for this.

The Yamunotri town is the sole sources of the Yamuna River. The Yamuna River source is also the location of the seat of the Yamuna goddess. The river source is at an altitude of four thousand four hundred meters. The holy River is made due to melting of glacier. The glacier melts at the Glacier Lake referred to as the Champasar Glacier in the Kalind Mountain. Pilgrimages hold major festivals at the temple. These festivals are however supposed to take place at the river source. They are however restricted by the difficult access of the source.

During the Char Dham tour, the other places of interest in Yamunotri could include the Yamunotri temple. This is a temple originally built in the 19th century.  The temple is located on the western part of the Garhwal division. The temple lies on the banks of the Yamuna River. It is built of black marbles. The temple was constructed by a Maharaja known as Pratap Shah. The temple is a dedication to the Hindu goddess Yamuna, the mother of nurture. Yamunotri also has several hot water springs. They are used for the festivals held before the Puja festival. The hot water springs are treated as shrines and offerings are made in the spring site.

Attractions in Yamunotri

Yamunotri Temple

The Yamunotri temple is one of the most toured places in the Gangotri Yamunotri tours. The temple is located in the Uttarkashi district. It lies at an elevated altitude of approximately three thousand one hundred meters. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess known as Yamuna. At the point of the temple, there is a source of the River Yamunotri. At this point, the pilgrimages claim that the seat of the Yamuna goddess is located there.  The Yamunotri temple is accessible through several major trek routes. It is accessible via the Hanuman chatty or the Janki Chatti routes.

• Suggested Tour: Trekking Tour In Uttarakhand

The temple is approximately thirteen kilometers from the trek route start. Initially constructed in the 19th century, the temple is a major center for the Yamunotri festivals. It is opened in the month of May and closed down during the winter season, just before the Diwali festival. At the temple head, there is a small River source. It gives rise to the Yamunotri River. The temple head area also has several hot springs. These are used to boil offerings like rice and potatoes during major festivals. The temple area is also surrounded by ashrams and rest houses.

These provide accommodation and a food point for the trekking tourists. The temple is mainly toured during the Char Dham tours. The festival season also leads to an increased number of pilgrimages to the temple. The Puja season and festivals are presided by priests. Offering of the spring boiled rice is a major practice.

Surya Kund

This is one of the major hot springs around the Yamunotri temple. The hot spring is also one of the hottest with the highest temperatures. The Surya Kund hot spring is located close to the Yamunotri temple. It has high temperatures of approximately 1000 F. the thermal water spring is located in the interior of the mountain region. It is of a major religious significance to the local Hindu followers. The hot spring is greatly associated with the Sun. according to the Hindu methodology; the sun is the father of the Yamuna River.

At the point where the holy River has it source and at the initial Yamunotri temple point is where the water spring is located. It is used largely especially during festivals.  The Prasad offering rice is prepared by dipping a sack of mixed rice and potatoes in the Surya hot spring. The rice is cooked by the high temperatures. This rice is offered in the temple to the major deity. The remaining rice is distributed at home to the religious followers.  The hot spring water is also used for bathing. After cooling the water, pilgrimages bath with it.

They believe that bathing with the spring water will bring the gods blessing upon them. It is also believed that their well being is improved through this holy baths. The Surya water spring is closed down during the winter seasons. It is however opened during the other seasons. It is an ideal place for the pilgrimages and the tourists of the region.

Divya Shila

The Divya Shila is an important place of worship for the believers of the Yamunotri town.  The stone tower of referred to as Divya Shila is located close to the Surya Kund hot spring. The stone pillar is one of the important structures in the Hindu religion.  The rock pillar is located and lies at an altitude of approximately three thousand meters above Sea level. It is accessible through a tiresome trek. The pilgrimages are supposed to make prayers at the rock pillar of Divya Shila before they enter the Yamunotri temple.

The rock pillar is also referred to as the slab of divine light. Prayers to the Divya Shila are believed to enlighten ones burden and save them from pain and sufferings.  During the Puja festivals, such prayers are held at the rock pillar site. Pilgrimages make their way up the pillar structure with their offerings. The make their prayers and offer at the pillar. After this, they are supposed to proceed to the Yamunotri temple for the offerings to the deity.  The trek to the Sheela pillar presents one with a spectacular view of the surroundings.

One can see the Yamunotri temple and the Surya hot springs located nearby. The up trek is also in view of the green fields of Yamunotri. It is a tiresome up climb but the surrounding environment is ideal. The Divya Shila rock pillar is mainly toured between the month of May and the month of October. It is also located close to accommodation centers of Yamunotri.

Saptarishi Kund

This is a natural Lake at Yamunotri town. The Lake lies at an altitude of approximately four thousand four hundred meters above sea level. The natural Lake is the source point of the Yamuna River. It is one of the most toured spot in the Yamunotri region. This is due to its rich history and religious significance. The Saptrishi Lake is located at a distance of approximately ten kilometers from Yamunotri. It is accessible through the established trek routes. The up-climb journey is a bit hard due to the presence of ice at some points.

The rocky mountainous surface is also a factor contributing to the difficult up-hill climb to the Lake point. From the lake region, there are several visible attractions. The Glacier and the Bandarpunch peaks are visible. This gives the guests a great site of the other attractions of the Yamunotri region.  The region is also surrounded by snow. The Lake has dark blue waters. Is also has blue slate stones and Brahma lotus. These items in the Lake water make it appear more magnificent.

Pilgrimage also climbs up the region to take holy baths. The environment is so serene and gives one of a holy feeling. The Lake region allows one to view the Yamunotri River and source. It also allows one to view the Yamunotri temple. The best season to take the up-hill trek is during the winter and summer seasons. The beginning of the winter months is more ideal before the snow increases.

Hanuman Chatti

This is a major place used for climbing and tourists activities. Hanuman Chatti is a spot where the holy River Yamuna and the River Hanuman Ganga converge. The spot is widely used for tourism. Located approximately thirteen kilometers from Yamunotri, the tourist spot is a great trek. It lies at an altitude of approximately two thousand meters above Sea level. The spot is a long trek, and is accessed through a major trek route. The spot is surrounded by several shrines and temples.

It is an ideal place full of green and unpolluted environment. Hanuman Chatti is surrounded by the Himalayan shrubs. The climb route is also surrounded by the same forest shrubs. They provide a great cool climate for the climb activity. Though not many attractions are close to the Hanuman Chatti spot, the place is still widely toured. This is because of the great environment of the trek routes. The water spot at the Hanuman Chatti is also attractive. It has clear and clean unpolluted water. The surrounding hills and the view of the Himalayan are also attractive.

It is one of the most used trek route. It is also a major place for Yamunotri excursion tours. There are other several places which one can tour the region. They include the Yamunotri temple. The Yamuna River source is also a major attraction. The hot springs are also widely toured especially during the festival seasons. The ideal time to tour Yamunotri is between the months of April to June.

Important Hotels & Resorts Yamunotri

Kalindi Hotel

The Kalindi hotel is an ideal place for one to stay at while having Yamunotri tours. The hotel is located approximately twenty kilometers from the Yamunotri temple. It is a hotel in the middle of serene environment. The hotel Kalindi is adjacent to the Yamuna River. This gives it a locational advantage. One can view the surrounding hot springs and waterfalls. The hotel offers eighteen well furnished and highly maintained rooms. The hotel rooms are well ventilated and air conditioned.

The rooms offer a view of the Yamuna River, the forest area and the town. They have LCD TVs with satellite connection, also have remote controls and charging cables. Attached baths with baths, slippers and bath robes. There are medium sized kitchenettes and an in-house restaurant. They provide room services and laundry services. They also avail doctors on requests. The hotel has trip packages to the Yamunotri sightseeing area.

Aditya Palace Hotel

The Aditya palace is located in the Barkot town. This is approximately forty kilometers from the Yamunotri location. The deluxe hotel is an ideal place of stay while touring. The hotel offers comfort and ambience to its guests. It is accessible through the train and bus routes operating in the Yamunotri Barkot region. The Aditya hotel has twelve accommodation rooms. These are categorized in to three main sections. The hotel has super deluxe rooms, extra bed rooms and deluxe rooms. These are well furnished. Cleanliness is also highly maintained in each room.

The Aditya hotel provided amenities like extra beddings in each room, attached baths, hot and cold water, towels and bath robes. They provide twenty four hours room services. Instant laundry and dry cleaning is also a major service offered. The hotel has a large, secure and free parking lot. They offer a restaurant with a diverse variety of foods.

Atithi Niwas

The Atithi Niwas is a hotel located at Janki Chatti. It is also close to the Yamunotri temple. The hotel is accessible through the bus services provided in the region. It offers a view of the Garhwal Himalayas. It is in the middle of the green fields and lawns surrounding it. The hotel location offers one a great pollution free environment. The Atithi Niwas has twelve rooms. They are in to deluxe, Madhur Milan cottages and extra bed room categories. They are fitted with modern comfort amenities.

Some of the facilities in each room include the air conditioners, fire extinguishers, safe deposit lockers and emergency exit door. They also have satellite connected large TVs. The rooms have attached baths with toiletry amenities. They provide extra beddings and bath robes. The Atithi Niwas hotel has a secure parking lot. They provide doctors on request. They also provide small kitchenettes for self-cooking and a large multi-cuisine restaurant.

Camp Nirvana

This is one of the best resorts around the Yamunotri region. It is located in an ideal scenic place. The resort is on the banks of the holy Yamuna River. It lies at an altitude of approximately two thousand meters. The elevated location allows one to have a great view around the Yamunotri location. The Camp Nirvana offers camping tents for accommodation. The tents are surrounded by pine forests. This adds to the attractive beauty of the resort region.

They have several categories of the tent. These include the single sharing, double sharing and extra bed tents. The resort has room like amenities in the tents. They include the attached baths with modern toiletries, breakfast in the tent, hot and cold water and slipping beds and beddings. The resort offers ayurvedic massage.  They provide a vegetarian only restaurant. They provide parking lot and doctors on request. Tour packages involve tours to the shrines and the Lake area.

Veda Camp

The Veda camp is located at the Barkot point in Yamunotri. The resort is another major accommodation center for the Yamunotri guests. The resort lies along the Yamuna River banks. It is at an elevation of approximately two thousand meters above Sea level. The resort is surrounded by Chir and pine forest and trees. They provide a pollution free environment. The resort is in an ideal place for treks and walks. It has twenty Swiss cottage tents. These offer comfort and ambience accommodation to the guests. The resort also provides tent services and amenities.

Some of the notable amenities offered include the hot and cold-water provision all through, attached baths, toiletries and TVs. The resort tents offer breakfast in tents and laundry services. They provide an ample parking lot, travel information and bonfire camp lighting. They have a multi-cuisine restaurant. The resort avails doctors on request. Hiking, rock climbing and trekking are the major activities for one to engage in.

Best Season to Visit Yamunotri

The Yamunotri region experiences three seasons. The climate is cool almost all year through. The summer season occurs in the month of April and last up to the month of June. The monsoon or the rainy season occurs in the month of May, though they are rare. The season is characterized by heavy downpours. Sightseeing and climbing is a bit too difficult in the monsoon. Some of the sights are also closed down during the season. The winters are experienced in the months of October until March.

The seasons are cold and the nights are chilly. The season is also characterized by presence of snow. The season requires heavy and woolen clothing. The best time to tour the Yamunotri region is in the summer when one should wear light woolen clothing. The season also allows a lot of outdoor activities. The summers are ideal since the cool temperatures allow for outdoor activities.

How to Reach Yamunotri

Yamunotri is accessible via several routes. It can be accessed by air, railway and roads. The multiple transport methods make Yamunotri tours easy and enjoyable. The nearest airport used to access the region is the Jolly grant airport. It is located in Dehradun, a distance of approximately one hundred and fifty kilometers. The airport is also connected to states like Delhi. Bus services and private taxis operate at the airport location to Yamunotri and other destination centers. By railway, the Dehradun railway is the closest.

• Suggested Tour: Chardham Yatra by Helicopter

The railway is at a distance of around one hundred and seventy kilometers from Yamunotri. The railway line connects to other places near Yamunotri like Gangotri. There are set travel and train booking time. There are private buses operating from Hanuman to Rishikesh via Yamunotri. The Hanuman Chatti is located at a distance of approximately fourteen kilometers from Yamunotri. They provide transport to the region.