Uttarkashi

Yamunotri

Nearest Railway: Dehradun, 186 Kms
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, 215 kms
Famous For: Temple, Char Dham, Trekking, Scenic Beauty, Pilgrimage
Altitude: 3293 metres above sea level
Languages: Hindi, Garhwali
Best Time to Visit: March to May and October and November

About Yamunotri

The source of River Yamuna, Yamunotri is also one of the four sites of Char Dham pilgrimage. Yamunotri is located at a height of 3293 mts above sea level and located in Uttarkashi district. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides and lies in close proximity of the Indo-China border. It is known for offering peace and tranquillity to its visitors.

How to reach Yamunotri

By road: Yamunotri is directly not connected with motorable roads and the trek commences from Hanuman Chatti. Hanuman Chatti is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses to Rishikesh are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses and Taxis to Hanuman Chatti are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand state like Rishikesh, Dehradun, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Barkot etc.
By air: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport to Yamunotri situated at a distance of 210kms. It is well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Hanuman Chatti is directly not connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport but taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Hanuman Chatti. Helicopter services are also available till Yamunotri from Dehradun.
By rail: The nearest railway stations to Yamunotri are Rishikesh and Dehradun. Dehradun railway station is situated 175kms from Yamunotri and Rishikesh railway station is situated 200kms before Yamunotri on NH58. Rishikesh and Dehradun are well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. Hanuman Chatti is well connected by motorable roads with Rishikesh and Dehradun. Taxis and buses are available from Rishikesh, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi and Barkot and many other destinations to Hanuman Chatti.

Places to see

Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri is one of the Char Dham and is also the first place to visit in the Char Dham Circuit. Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, Yamunotri Temple lies in the western Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of about 3,291mts. Thousands of tourist visit to Yamunotri temple of Goddess Yamuna from April to October. Yamunotri Temple was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The second most holy river of India, River Yamuna originates at Yamunotri.

Divya Shilla

Divya Shilla is a rock pillar which is worshipped before entering the divine Yamunotri temple. Divya Shila, also known as ‘slab of divine light’, is a pious stone or pillar located near Yamunotri and Surya Kund. The devotees visiting Yamunotri temple have to worship Divya Shila before entering the temple premises.

Janki Chatti

Situated at an elevation of 2,650 mts above sea level, Janki Chatti is familiarly known for its hot water springs. Janki Chatti encompasses the last village in the region and it acts as the major hub for the pilgrims traveling to Yamunotri.

Kharsali

The untouched village of Kharsali is known as ‘Khushimath’ is cradled with love in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Kharsali is also known as the home of Goddess Yamuna during winters when the Yamunotri Shrine becomes inaccessible due to heavy snowfall. It is perched at an astounding elevation of 2,675 meters above sea level. Kharsali also houses the oldest Shani Dev Temple of India. The idol of Goddess Yamuna is kept at the Shani Dev Temple during the winters.

Saptarshi Kund

Located at an elevation of 4421 mts, Saptrishi Kund is a high-altitude lake and the original source of Yamuna River. The lake is fed by Champasar Glacier set in the upper parts of the mountain range created by Bandarpunch Mountain.