Yamunotri

Just like Gangotri (the place where the river Ganges originates) Yamunotri  is the place where the river Yamuna originates. This pilgrim center is in the Uttarkashi region at a height of 3233 mts above sea level on the western side of the Banderpoonch peak  which is at a height of 6316 mts above sea level. The last bus stop is Hanuman Chatti which is 14 kms away by foot.

Ponies, horses and hand drawn palanquins are also available. The temple here has an idol of Yamuna. The old temples are being renovated. Surrounding these temples are many lakes and natural hot water springs. The whole trek to the temple passes through many large and small rivers, lakes, canals, forests, waterfalls, villages and meadows. This ancient  temple was made by the King of Tehri, Pratap Shah in 1919. 

Places of Interest:

Yamuna Devi temple: This temple was built in the 19th century by a descendent of the Jaipur royal family. It is said that this temple was destroyed twice by landslides and was reconstructed again in the 20th century. Due to heavy snowfall this temple is closed from November to May.

Surya Kund: Close to the Yamuna Devi temple, there are many hot water springs of which Surya Kund is the most important. In this spring the water is so hot that people boil rice and potatoes here by tying them in a cloth and immersing them in the water for a while.

Saptarishi Kund Lake: 10 kms from Yamunotri, this is an extremely difficult journey covered with ice. This is the actual place where Yamuna rises. The water of the glaciers gather in this lake. The colour of the water here  is a deep blue. On the banks of the lake are naturally carved slate stones. The rare Brahma Lotus grows here.

Janaki  Chatti:  7 kms from Yamnotri, this is another place where there are hot water springs. Many hotels and lodges are available. This is the best place for food in the valley. One road from here leads to the last village of  Kharsali.

Kharsali: 1 km from Janaki Chatti  the old temples here are worth visiting. The carved stones on the walls of houses and the woodwork are amazing. The temple here is four storeyed.

Hanuman Chatti: This is the last bus stop for Yamnotri. There is a Hanuman temple here. Government guest houses and hotels are available here. Horses and ponies are also hired for further journeys.

Badkot: 36 kms before Hanuman Chatti,  Badkot is a pretty village. All facilities are available here. An ancient temple is located here. This place is 49 kms from Yamnotri.

Clothings: Light woollens in summer and heavy woollens in winter . Light woollens in summer and heavy woollens in winter .

Temperature:

Travel Plans: There is no direct route to Yamnotri. 14 kms before Yamnotri is Hanuman Chatti  till where bus services are available. From there, one has to walk. Hanuman Chatti is connected to Rishikesh, Dehra Dun, VikasNagar, Mussoorie, Uttarkashi, Gangotri and Badkot by regular bus services.

Taxis and jeeps can be hired from here. The closest railway station is Rishikesh but very few trains run on this line. There are no air services available.

Distances from Cities and Towns:

Hotels: Only guest houses are available here which are not very comfortable. But in Janaki Chatti which is 7 kms away there is a travellers lodge. Other tourist bungalows and lodges are run by the Garhwal Mandal Corporation which are quite comfortable. Badkot also has a few places for accommodation.

Tourist Season:: From May to November,  the gates of the temples are opened. During monsoons it gets very difficult to travel.