A Comprehensive Guide to Visit Yamunotri Temple

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is home to many pilgrimage sites and the most prominent of them all is Char Dham. It is a holy tour of Char Dham or four holy sites, including Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Badrinath. One must go on a Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction which starts from Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The Yamunotri temple consists of a Garba Griha (sanctum sanctorum) and a Mandap where devotees gather for darshan and prayer. The temple of goddess Yamuna is situated on Bandarpoonch Parbat near the foot of Kalind Parbat.

Goddess Yamuna is the twin sister of Yama also called the god of death, daughter of Surya, and Ashtabharya who is one of the eight consorts of Krishna. The divine goddess of Hindu mythology is known as the Goddess of perseverance. Hindu devotees believe that taking a dip in the Yamuna River can purify one’s soul and protect them against untimely and unpleasant death. The Yamunotri temple is a part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra. Many devotees visit this temple every year from May to October. If you wish to visit the temple you can check out Uttarakhand tour packages online. These packages are specially designed for pilgrims who want to visit the holy sites of Uttarakhand in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Kedarnath, among other places.

Origin Story of Yamunotri Temple

The holy river of Yamuna originates from the frozen lake and Champasar glacier which is located 1 km away from Yamunotri temple on Kalin Mountain. The idol of Goddess Yamuna made of black marble is present in the Garba Griha along with an idol of Goddess Ganga made of white stone. The Yamunotri Temple was constructed in 1839 and reconstructed again in the 19th century AD after damage caused by an earthquake. To this date, the temple has withstood many natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, and snow damage. The Yamunotri Temple is one of the four important sites of the Chota Char Dham Yatra, a pilgrimage for Hindus in Uttarakhand.

5 Key Places Not to Miss in Yamunotri

Janki Chatti

You can start your Char Dham Yatra with the Jankichatti which is the starting point of the Yamunotri trek. Janki Chatti lies close to the Indo-China border and is situated at an elevation of 2,650 mts above sea level. It is a major hub of the pilgrims travelling to Yamunotri and is known for its hot water springs. Many ponies and mules are available at Janki Chatti for pilgrims who have difficulty in trekking. Earlier Hanuman Chatti used to be the starting point of trekking towards the Yamunotri Temple. However, after the construction of motorable roads from Hanuman Chatti to Janki Chatti, the trekking route has been shortened by 7km.

Hanuman Chatti

Hanuman Chatti is located at the convergence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Hanuman Chatti is a popular trekking spot in the region which takes you towards Darwa Top and Dodi Tal. It is also the base point of the Gulabikantha trek. Dodi Tal is a beautiful high-altitude lake nestled amidst the high mountains. It is named after a rare Himalayan trout called Dodi in the local language. At one of the corners of the lake, you will also find an ancient Ganesha Temple. Many trekkers undertake this trekking trail from Sangam Chatti to Darwa Pass. While on the trek you will get to observe the mesmerising beauty of various Himalayan peaks.

Surya Kund

Surya Kund is a hot water spring located near Yamunotri temple. It gets its name from the Yamuna River as it is considered to be the daughter of Surya according to Hindu mythology. Surya Kund is a holy place surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Devotees here get prasad made up of potatoes or rice mixed with salt and tied in a muslin cloth. This is dipped into the Surya Kund and then offered to the deity. After this, it is distributed to the pilgrims.

Kharsali

Kharsali also called Khushimath hosts the idol of Goddess Yamuna during winters. On Akshaya Tritiya the idol of Goddess Yamuna is shifted to Kharsali from Yamunotri Temple, since the holy shrine becomes inaccessible during in winter season due to heavy snowfall. The idol along with Lord Someshwara is later returned to Yamunotri Temple. The village is located 1 km away from Janki Chatti. It also hosts one of the most ancient temples of Shani Dev in India.

Divya Shila

Divya Shila is a sacred stone present outside the Yamunotri shrine. It is believed to be the stone which Lord Vishnu used to measure the universe. It is also known as the "slab of divine light". Devotees worship Divya Shila as part of a puja ritual before entering the Yamunotri Temple. The pilgrims take a bath in Surya Kund, offer prasad at Divya Shila and then enter the Yamunotri Temple.

Hindu devotees who want to take on the holy tour of Char Dham Yatra can book a Char Dham package from a reliable travel company. There are many tour packages that they can choose from that start from cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, etc.

Yamunotri Travel Tips

Here are some general suggestions and tips to follow if you are going to Yamunotri temple for the first time: -

1. Yamunotri is a revered religious town so maintain its sanctity by refraining from alcohol consumption and eating non-vegetarian food.
2. Since it is located at an elevation of more than 3,200 metres, the weather remains quite cold throughout the year. So carrying enough woollen clothes is a must.
3. Pilgrims visiting here for the first time must be aware of the weather and road conditions before commencing their trip to the Yamunotri temple. Incessant rains often block the roads and disrupt traffic.
4. Photography may be prohibited inside the temple due to religious beliefs. You must abide by the guidelines made by temple authorities.
5. It is better to book your accommodation beforehand to avoid any last-minute hassle. There are many hotels available near Hanuman Chatti and Janki Chatti.
6. Start your trek to Yamunotri Temple early in the morning as sunlight during the afternoon can be quite harsh. Moreover, it is important to carry a raincoat and umbrella for protection from unexpected weather changes.
7. Do not carry too many heavy items in your bag while trekking and do not forget a water bottle.
8. People who are unable to walk on the trek can hire ponies, mules, palki or kandi to make their trek easier.
9. The Yamunotri Temple opens up to pilgrims on Akshaya Tritya and remains open till Yama Dwitya i.e. second day after Diwali.
10. It is recommended to reach the shrine before the aarti ritual starts at 6.30 pm.

Top 3 Exquisite Places to Visit in Uttarakhand

Blessed with the natural beauty of the Himalayas, waterfalls and rivers, you can have an amazing time in Uttarakhand to revitalize your soul. After you are done with your Char Dham Yatra starting with Yamunotri and ending with Badrinath, there are many off-beat places that you can visit. Here are the top three places that you can visit in Uttarakhand:

Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti is one of the best offbeat places in Uttarakhand that you must visit if you are in Uttarakhand. It is a small hill station where you’ll be delighted to see the picturesque views of the mountains of the Himalayan range. It is located at a distance of 24 kilometres from Mussoorie and is one of the unexplored places of Uttarakhand.

Nainital

One of the most popular places to visit in Uttarakhand for a honeymoon with your loved one is Nainital. If you want to enjoy the scenic beauty of various lakes of Nainital you can easily book a Uttarakhand honeymoon package and visit this heavenly hill station.

Chakrata

Located at a distance of 66 km from the Yamunotri Temple, this place is one of the best-kept secrets of Uttarakhand. You can visit this place before commencing your Char Dham Yatra starting from Yamunotri. This town is covered by dense forests of oaks, conifers and rhododendrons hiding some astonishing waterfalls and fruit orchards. Making it a perfect spot to relax and unwind in the lap of Mother Nature.

These handpicked places in Uttarakhand are sure to leave you spellbound with their magnificent natural beauty, so you must surely visit.