Many who embark on the pilgrimage to pray at Yamunotri Temple do not explore the many other attractions in its vicinity. If you are one of those not merely content in reaching the conventional destination alone but wants to explore the wonders of the path too, you might want to read along and see what the places are that one can include in their travel itinerary to Yamunotri temple.
Kharsali
Did you know the beautiful, quaint village of Kharsali contains an ancient, perhaps the oldest, temple dedicated to Shani Dev in India? As per the mythology, Shani Dev is considered to be Goddess Yamuna’s brother. One then understands why the shore of her pristine waters near Yamunotri holds the sacred ground for Lord Saturn’s (Shani) temple. A wooden staircase will lead you into the inner chamber of the temple.
Kharsali comes across as an extraordinarily beautiful mountainous village. The fact that it is sparsely populated makes it an ideal haven for those who want to revel in Himalayan natural beauty. Take long walks through its terrain, alone or together, and breathe in its salubrious air.
Hanuman Chatti
This beautiful village served as the primary base camp for pilgrims trekking to Yamunotri temple. Hanuman Ganga flows across its wondrous landscape. The river is a major tributary of the River Yamuna. A temple dedicated to Hanumaneshwar Mahadev adorns its landscape.
Those familiar with Ramayana’s many tales might be aware of the story of Kalanemi trying to lure Hanuman away from his search for the healing herb. Hanuman was attacked by a crocodile in the river he was lead into to take a bath, whose ‘Apasara’ soul he liberated by killing the crocodile’s body. Soon after, Kalanemi had to meet with his death too. It is in honor of these events that transpired in its banks that the site received its name. In fact, the temple’s inscriptions describe the above story in detail.
Situated at the quaint pilgrimage hamlet of Barkot close to the main Yamunotri Dham shrine, Surya Kund is a naturally occurring hot water spring. The water temperature at this thermal spring ranges around 88 degrees. Surrounded by snow-covered peaks and an environment that cannot be found anywhere else, a visit to this place is guaranteed to make your treacherous journey to Yamunotri worth it. The Kund is used by the locals to prepare Prasad out of rice and potatoes which is then mixed with salt and offered to the pilgrims later on.
Nestled among the lush greenery of the mighty Garhwal Himalayas in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, Divya Shila is one of the most visited holy sites after the main Yamunotri Dham shrine. Sitting at an elevation of 3,000 meters above sea level this place is marked by a rock pillar which is worshipped by the pilgrims prior to visiting the main temple shrine. Although the shrine's size is small, it exudes a massive amount of divinity and a feeling of intense spiritualism.
This quiet and tranquil village is located at a mere distance of 50 kms from the main Yamunotri Dham shrine which can be covered via a travel journey of 2 to 3 hours. Perched atop an elevation of 1220 meters above sea level this place is one of the most popular spots of tourism close to Yamunotri. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of the snow-clad Bandarpoonch ranges Barkot functions as a stopover for the pilgrims on their Yatra to Yamunotri Dham. The best time to visit falls between the months of April and October.
Sitting at an elevation of 2,650 meters above sea level, Janki Chatti is known for its natural thermal springs which encompass the final village of this region. Pilgrims cannot ignore the presence of this incredibly soothing and nerve-calming hot water spring. This destination is situated close to the border of India and China and is surrounded by panoramic mountain views on all sides. The road connecting Hanuman Chatti to Janki Chatti is a newly made road that shortens your journey substantially.
Literally meaning a lush green, rolling meadow, Dayara Bugyal is located at an elevation of 3,048 meters above sea level. This place is popular for its majestic sights and tranquil, panoramic vistas. If you are looking to spend a long weekend among the hills and go on surreal trekking adventures visiting this hilly meadow is the solution to all your troubles. You will be able to gaze at some of the most unique and picturesque views.
Perched at an elevation of 3,310 meters above sea level, the emerald lake of Dodital ranks among one of the most picturesque high-altitude lakes in India. Named after a rare Himalayan trout fish called Dodi trout thrives in the water of this lake. Another important feature of this lake is the Lord Ganesh temple which is situated on a corner of the lake premises. This picturesque lake is surrounded completely by a thick covering of deodar trees forest. The origin of the water of this lake can be easily traced back to a natural spring of “Asi Ganga’.
These magical white, snow-clad mountain ranges are a popular destination among avid travelers and adventure seekers. Sitting majestically in the Garhwal region of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, the name of the temple literally means ‘tail of the monkey’, which is in reference to the monkey god, Hanuman. It a popular belief here that it was at this spot where Hanuman is said to have extinguished his fire in the tail at this very spot after burning down Ravana’s Lanka.
Surya Kund
Situated at the quaint pilgrimage hamlet of Barkot close to the main Yamunotri Dham shrine, Surya Kund is a naturally occurring hot water spring. The water temperature at this thermal spring ranges around 88 degrees. Surrounded by snow-covered peaks and an environment that cannot be found anywhere else, a visit to this place is guaranteed to make your treacherous journey to Yamunotri worth it. The Kund is used by the locals to prepare Prasad out of rice and potatoes which is then mixed with salt and offered to the pilgrims later on.
Divya Shila
Nestled among the lush greenery of the mighty Garhwal Himalayas in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, Divya Shila is one of the most visited holy sites after the main Yamunotri Dham shrine. Sitting at an elevation of 3,000 meters above sea level this place is marked by a rock pillar which is worshipped by the pilgrims prior to visiting the main temple shrine. Although the shrine's size is small, it exudes a massive amount of divinity and a feeling of intense spiritualism.
Barkot
This quiet and tranquil village is located at a mere distance of 50 kms from the main Yamunotri Dham shrine which can be covered via a travel journey of 2 to 3 hours. Perched atop an elevation of 1220 meters above sea level this place is one of the most popular spots of tourism close to Yamunotri. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of the snow-clad Bandarpoonch ranges Barkot functions as a stopover for the pilgrims on their Yatra to Yamunotri Dham. The best time to visit falls between the months of April and October.
Janki Chatti
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Dayara Bugyal
Literally meaning a lush green, rolling meadow, Dayara Bugyal is located at an elevation of 3,048 meters above sea level. This place is popular for its majestic sights and tranquil, panoramic vistas. If you are looking to spend a long weekend among the hills and go on surreal trekking adventures visiting this hilly meadow is the solution to all your troubles. You will be able to gaze at some of the most unique and picturesque views.
Dodital Lake
Perched at an elevation of 3,310 meters above sea level, the emerald lake of Dodital ranks among one of the most picturesque high-altitude lakes in India. Named after a rare Himalayan trout fish called Dodi trout thrives in the water of this lake. Another important feature of this lake is the Lord Ganesh temple which is situated on a corner of the lake premises. This picturesque lake is surrounded completely by a thick covering of deodar trees forest. The origin of the water of this lake can be easily traced back to a natural spring of “Asi Ganga’.
Bandarpoonch Parvat
These magical white, snow-clad mountain ranges are a popular destination among avid travelers and adventure seekers. Sitting majestically in the Garhwal region of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, the name of the temple literally means ‘tail of the monkey’, which is in reference to the monkey god, Hanuman. It a popular belief here that it was at this spot where Hanuman is said to have extinguished his fire in the tail at this very spot after burning down Ravana’s Lanka.
Saptarshi Kund
If you are an avid adventure enthusiast and nature lover, you must include the trek to Saptarshi Kund in your Yamunotri Dham Yatra. One knows that the trek to Yamunotri from Janki Chatti itself is quite perilous, so make sure the further trekking to seek Yamuna’s origin at Champasar glacier in Saptarshi Kund is going to be a strenuous physical and mental exercise. One would need to find a suitable guide from the nearby Kharsali village who can lead one along its meandering trails.
Did you know that the mountain you would trek along to see Yamuna’s origin is the exact one that finds mentioned in Ramayana as housing the famed ‘Sanjivani Buti’? Its association with Lord Hanuman becomes even clearer. In fact, it is said that Lord Hanuman quenched his thirst by drinking in the waters of the mighty rivulet that flows through the village of Hanuman Chatti, thus immortalizing the river by its association with His sacred name.
Apparently, Sanjivani Buti was not the only medicine the fecund soil of the peak nurtures in her mantle. Your local guide might astonish you with his in-depth knowledge of botany and herbalism as every other flower, root, and plant you come across would be cited as the ideal medicine for a particular ailment/disease.
Places to Visit within the Temple Premises
One cannot sign off the list without elucidating the revered spots within the temple premises of Yamunotri Dham. These include Surya Kund, named after Lord Surya (Sun God) who is worshipped as Goddess Yamuna’s father, and Divya Shila, which is believed to have been the initial site from where the holy river sprung forth. One would come across many devotees lining up at the Surya Kund thermal spring to prepare the Prasadam of boiled potatoes and rice to be taken home from Yamunotri Dham.
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