2018 pilgrimages - Yamunotri

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The year 2018 was many things for me. But the few things that stood out, were part of the Chhota Char Dham Yatra (pilgrimage) in Uttarakhand.

We took GMVN's (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) 10 day guided tour package and visited all four dham. But I'll keep each post specific to one dham. And this will be about Yamunotri (3293 m asl), the first of the four chhota char dham.

Our journey started in a rickety but fully functional(?!) bus from Haridwar in the morning and culminated at Janaki Chatti late at night on the first day. We passed by Rishikesh, and caught few glimpses of Mussoorie on the way. Beyond Barkot, the journey became adventurous as the roads were narrow, non-existent, and highly prone to landslides.

A stop for lunch little before Barkot

We had the next day all to ourselves. But we started the hike early at 7:00 am as recommended by our tour guide. It is a 6 km (approx. 3 hours) trail one-way from Janaki Chatti. The path was well paved with plenty of shops and resting points along the way.


Yamunotri temple nestled in the lap of Himalaya

The temple is beside Yamuna river, literally in the lap of the mighty Himalaya. While the river water is numbingly cold, hot spring water flowing into the tapt kund can be seen steaming from every gap and crevice in the temple.

Beautifully cascading mountain range

By lunchtime we returned to our guesthouse. We spent the remaining time leisurely as we were continuing overnight stay in Janaki Chatti. It was a relaxed start to the yatra, but the events that unfolded later, changed the dynamics.

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