Yamunotri
The Yamuna may be in the news lately, for the pictures of toxic foams that are making rounds in social media. But, if you judge the source of this river accordingly, think again!
Ever fancy about picturesque Himalayan range with mixed with a bit of mythology? Ladies and gentlemen, you are in for a treat. This place is the source of the river Yamuna and has an apparent elevation of 3300 meters.
When to Visit?
The good news is, it’s cold all around the year. Bad news? It’s way too cold in the winter. The best time to visit Yamunotri would be April-July. While the rest of India boils at 35-40°C at that time, the average temperature in Yamunotri remains at 20°C.
The winter season October-March is to be avoided, the weather is rough and the roads are closed.
The monsoon (July-September) is to be avoided as well, owing to the cloudbursts and dreaded landslides.
What To Do
Four Things to do in Yamunotri:
1. Embrace your Inner spirituality:
The visit to the Yamunotri temple tops the list as the most prioritized one. If you are going to Yamunotri, consider visiting this one first. A temple dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna, this one is the first temple to be visited in the Panch Kedar Yatra. The scenery around is breathtaking.
Another such place is the Kharsali. This is where the idol is shifted during the winter days, as the original temple is closed due to heavy snowfall.
2. Go for a trek:
There are two trakes that can be undertaken prior to visiting Yamunotri. These are Hanuman Chatti and Janki Chatti. Besides, these places are great places to halt for a night or two.
For the professional trekkers, however, there is this intriguing Bali Pass trek, which is considered one of the finest in the country.
3. Take a Dip in the Hot Water Spring:
There are plenty of hot springs in the vicinity of Yamunotri. The two most famous ones are the Surya Kund and Saptarishi Kunds. Apart from these, some untouched ones are there as well and might take some exploring to find out.
4. Local Sightseeing:
There are a few villages and towns nearby which are worth visiting if there are some extra days in the time schedule. Enjoy the trek, capture the view, and indulge in tasting local cuisines. Don’t forget to interact with the delightful locals, they will be more than happy to welcome.
How To Reach :
By Air : At a distance of 200 KMs, the nearest Airport is the Jolly Grant Airport. From the Airport, direct bus or cab services are available to the Hanuman Chatti. From Hanuman Chatti, the rest of the path is to be trekked.
By Rail : The nearest railway station is Joshimath which is at a distance of 200 km. However, it is advisable to opt for the railway stations Hrishikesh or Dehradun, as these are better connected with the rest of the country.
By Road : Yamunotri is not directly connected with the other cities in the country. The last private car stop near Yamunotri is Janki Chatti which is 4 km away. Janki Chatti can be reached from Uttarkashi by a private car or taxi. Uttarkashi, on the other hand, is well connected with the other major cities by busses and other road transportations.
Yamunotri, Uttarakhand, India
