Yamunotri : Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand

Yamunotri
Yamunotri is situated at an altitude of 3,235 m above the sea level in the district of Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand in northern India. It is a full day's journey from Uttarakhand's main towns — Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun.

The source of the river Yamuna lies about 1 km further ahead at an altitude of about 4,421 m. It is the seat of the goddess Yamuna, and one of the four sites in India's Char Dham  pilgrimage. The sacred river of Yamuna originates from Yamunotri glaciers on the western edge of the Bandarpoochh peak (6,315 m).

Yamunotri can be reached by a 13 km trek from Hanuman Chatti. Maharani Gularia of Jaipur constructed the temple of Goddess Yamuna in the 19th century AD by Maharani Guleria of Jaipur. The temple remains closed from November to May because of heavy rainfall and snow.

There is quite a few thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple, which flow into several pools. The most important of these springs is the Surya Kund. Divya Shila is a rock pillar which is worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple.

   

The current temple is of recent origin, as past iterations have been destroyed by the weather. Ritual duties such as the making and distribution of prasad (sanctified offerings) and the supervision of pujas (ritual venerations) are performed by the Uniyal family of pujaris (priests). Unique aspects of ritual practice at the site include hot springs where raw rice is cooked and made into prasad.

 

Mythologically Yamuna is the daughter of the Sun just like Yama who is also considered his son. It is believed that Yama would not torment any person at the time of death who bathe in Yamuna that is his sister. Near freezing Yamunotri glaciers there are steaming hot spring known as Kunds. All this present divinely control over the entire setting. Surya Kund is the most important Kund. A pinch of rice or some potatoes tied loosely in a cloth and dipped in it and after few minutes is taken out gets completely cooked which is normally taken as 'Prashad' back home by the pilgrims. Near 'Surya Kund' there is 'Shila' called 'Dibya Shila' which is worshipped before Puja is offered to Yamuna ji. Nearby, there is Jamuna Bai Kund built about 100 years ago which is used for the holy bath. The water is pleasantly warm and relaxing. The 'Pandas' or the Pujari of Yamnotri come from the village of Kharsala which is on the other bank of Yamuna near Janki Bai Chatti.

Suriya Kund
There are a number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple that flows into numerous pools.  The most important of these is Surya Kund.

Divya Shila
A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple.
Janki Chatti
0.5 km from Yamunotri, it is noted for its thermal springs, where tourists can enjoy a refreshing bath.
Hanuman Chatti
13 km from Yamunotri. The confluence of Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers, from where the trek to Dodi Tal (3,307 m) starts.
Ayana Chatti
27 km from Barkot and 18 km from Yamunotri is a scenic spot on the banks of river Yamuna.

Chamba
Situated at an elevation of 1,524 mtrs, it is a picturesque place with a panoramic view of the Himalayas. The road from here bifurcates for Mussorie, New Tehri and Rishikesh.
en Route
The shrine of Yamunotri and the source of the Yamuna river is situated in the direction opposite to Gangotri. The road bifurcates and goes to Yamunotri from Dharasu, a place between Rishikesh and Uttarkashi. Another 55 km away is Barkot, giving a fabulous view of the Banderpunch range. Barkot is also approachable by road directly from Delhi (334 km ) via Saharanpur, Harbartpur, Nainbagh and Naugaon. 8 km from Barkot is Gangani, a place of pilgrimage, on the left bank of Yamuna. The holy tank here is called Gangayan Kund. Water from the tank is taken for puja purposes to the opposite village of Than, housing the imposing temple of Rishi Jamdagni. 2 kms. from Gangani is Kharadi a place known for its roaring waterfall.

The motorable road continues till Phulchatti via Syanachatti, Ranachatti and Hanumanchatti, 42 km from Barkot. From here to Yamunotri is 8 km trek via Janakichatti for which ponies, dandies and kandies (baskets for carrying children) are available. Janakichatti is also known as 'Beef' in the revenue records The village has a small temple dedicated to Narain Bhagwan. From Janakichatti to Yamunotri  is a steep, continuous climb of 5 km.

The temple of Yamunotri lies on the left bank and was originally constructed by Maharaj Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. Near the temple  are three hot springs. The most important, Surya Kund, is a tank full of boiling water into which rice and potatoes are dipped to be cooked and taken as "prasad". Near the Kund, a rock slab, the 'Divya Shila' is worshipped before puja is offered to the black marble idol of Yamuna. The shrine of Yamunotri is one of the 'four dhams' of Uttarakhand. The source of Yamuna lies above 1 kms. ahead at an altitude of about 4421 meters. The approach is extremely difficult and pilgrims usually offer puja at the temple itself.

General Information

Season - May to November
Temperatures   

Summer : Max.     20 deg. C.
              Min.     06 deg. C .     

Winter :   Max.    Sub-Zero
               Min.    Snowbound

Clothing
May to July - Light woollen
September to November - Heavy woolens.

Langauage/Dialects:- Hindi, English and Garhwali.

Accessability:
Airport :   Nearest airport is  Jolly Grant, 196 kms. from Yamunotri via Dehradun , 240 kms. via Rishikesh.
Railhead:    Nearest railheads are Rishikesh (213 kms.), Dehradun and Haridwar.
Road :   Dharasu 107 kms. ,Tehri 149 kms. , Rishikesh 213 kms., Dehradun: 172 kms.
Bus Services:   Regular Bus Services to Yamunotri operate from Rishikesh.

Other Facilities:
STD Booths -: Matali, Dunda, Dharasu Band, Brahmkhal, Ranachatti, Syanachatti.
Bank -   S.B.I. has a Branch at Barkot.
Post Office-  Post Office at Hanumanchatti.

A temporary Post Office is set up at Jankichatti during the Yatra Season.

Accomodation
Lodging at the Yamunotri temple itself is limited to a few small ashrams and guesthouses.

Pilgrims can find accommodation in the houses belonging to the 'Pandas' or the sole Dharamshala. On the way one can stay at Janaki Chatti 8 kms. from Hanuman Chatti. There are tourist bangalow, PWD and Forest Rest Houses and Dharamshalas.

Accomodation en route
Tourist Rest Houses
Barkot - Type of room: Deluxe, Dormitory
Syanachatti - Type of room: Ordinary
Hanumanchatti - Type of room: Executive, Dormitory
Janakichatti - Type of room: Executive, Ordinary, Dormitory
Yamunotri - Type of room: Dormitory

Supplementary accomodation
P.W.D. Inspection Bungalow at Barkot, Hanumanchatti.
Forest Rest Houses at  Dharasu, Janakichatti, Barkot, HanumanChatti.
Ashrams and Dharamshalas At Yamunotri -  Kali Kamli Dharamshala, Mandir Samiti Dharamshala.

Hotels
At Barkot: Shiva, Raturi, Rawat, Chauhan, Mishrwan, Agarwal Lodge, Rain Basera.
At Syanachatti: Kalindi, Dipin Tourist Lodge,  Jai,  Himalayan.
At Ranachatti: Krishn Lok, Chauhan, Ganga Yamuna, Sandeep.
At Hanumanchatti: Chauhan Tourist Lodge ,Anand Bhawan
At JanakiChatti: Himalaya Darshan,  Ganga Yamuna , Kalindi Mangal, Arvind Ashram.