Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath constitute the four pilgrimage spots of the Chaar Dhaam Yatra (Chaar = four, Dhaam = abode, Yatra = journey).
Yamunotri, the first of these is easily accessible through a motorable road beyond Mussorie in Uttarakhand. All four spots are located within one day's hill driving distance from each other. Pligrims are usaually in great spirit on their way to Yamunotri, primarily for two reasons. First, this is the first trek they undertake, second, the trekking route is beautiful
yet beguiling. It comprises numerous winding stretches of approximately 200 to 300 meters, and thus a clear straight line sight is not available to the trekkers until they cover, abount 4.75 kilometers of the 7 km trek. The winding stretches also encourage the pilgrims, because each shoulder of the confronting hill appears to be the last one. However, one thing to remember in all visits to Uttarakhand hills, that it rains almost every evening irrespective of season. So start early, and try to reach your destination before 4 PM, and better still 3 PM because evening sets early in hills. Nights can be very chilly because of rain and strong winds & don't be fooled by scorching heat of Dehradun, Rishikesh or even Mussorie, because this is a different world.
yet beguiling. It comprises numerous winding stretches of approximately 200 to 300 meters, and thus a clear straight line sight is not available to the trekkers until they cover, abount 4.75 kilometers of the 7 km trek. The winding stretches also encourage the pilgrims, because each shoulder of the confronting hill appears to be the last one. However, one thing to remember in all visits to Uttarakhand hills, that it rains almost every evening irrespective of season. So start early, and try to reach your destination before 4 PM, and better still 3 PM because evening sets early in hills. Nights can be very chilly because of rain and strong winds & don't be fooled by scorching heat of Dehradun, Rishikesh or even Mussorie, because this is a different world.
Accommodation options at the startin point of the trek at Jaanki Chatti. There are several other options at Hanuman Chatti as well which is a few Kilometers downstream. There are Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (GMVNL) run hotel / guest houses at both the places. Reasonably clean night resting places are available in the form of small private hotels as well.
Hill folks are genuinely helpful and innocent. If you have some one in the group who needs assistance or would need a horse or a carrier (called Pitthoo in local language), you can engage the mode of your choice from Janki Chatti which is the starting point of trek to Yamunotri. There is an organized counter and rates are displayed. Your horse bearer or the pitthoo or Palakin carriers expect tips in the form of refreshments or meals on the way, although you are not obliged, as the rates are all inclusive.
The trek takes up to 5 hours for 7 Kms as the last stretch is most treacherous. The path is narrow with sharp overhanging rocks and one needs to be very careful for not being pushed around by mules. However, if one ignores the chaos on this side of the Yamuna flowing down under, the other side of the river is a site for sore eyes. Sun continuously plays hide and seek and in the process presents some extremely interesting dancing interpaly of light and shadows.
Once at the temple, one can walk down to the glacier which is about 2 Km up stream which is the source of river Yamuna. Most of the pilgrims however prefer the Sulphur Springs which indeed are therapeutic for tired bodies. The water from hot water spring is so hot that is mixed with cold water before being collected in a tank in which pilgrims take a dip. There are separate enclosures for men and women.
The temple at Yamunotri is dedicated to an idol of river Yamuna as a Goddess. It gets completely buried under snow for more than six months in a year. The deity is worshipped as a goddess of power and prosperity, and giver of peace to the devout soul.
The return trek is not as taxing because of downhill slope. It is advisable to start early in the morning from Janki Chatti and return after spending a few hours at the temple, so as to reach Janki Chatti before sunset. As mentioned earlier the evening sets early, and clouds are regular customers who deliver showers intermittently in the evening hours.
However, wonders are never scarce in hills and these clouds almost always gone by mid night, and if you are still up at that chilly hour, and have the energy and motivation, and the luck to be there during the white phase of the moon, do not miss a chance to see the snow capped peaks bathed in milky moon light.
Needless to say that with the day's exertion deep sleep and rest is essential before next morning when one can start for next destination - Gangotri.
Once at the temple, one can walk down to the glacier which is about 2 Km up stream which is the source of river Yamuna. Most of the pilgrims however prefer the Sulphur Springs which indeed are therapeutic for tired bodies. The water from hot water spring is so hot that is mixed with cold water before being collected in a tank in which pilgrims take a dip. There are separate enclosures for men and women.
The temple at Yamunotri is dedicated to an idol of river Yamuna as a Goddess. It gets completely buried under snow for more than six months in a year. The deity is worshipped as a goddess of power and prosperity, and giver of peace to the devout soul.
The return trek is not as taxing because of downhill slope. It is advisable to start early in the morning from Janki Chatti and return after spending a few hours at the temple, so as to reach Janki Chatti before sunset. As mentioned earlier the evening sets early, and clouds are regular customers who deliver showers intermittently in the evening hours.
However, wonders are never scarce in hills and these clouds almost always gone by mid night, and if you are still up at that chilly hour, and have the energy and motivation, and the luck to be there during the white phase of the moon, do not miss a chance to see the snow capped peaks bathed in milky moon light.
Needless to say that with the day's exertion deep sleep and rest is essential before next morning when one can start for next destination - Gangotri.
