Nine most often visited temples of Indian Himalayas; there are hundreds times more of beautiful and holy shrines in this citadel of ancient religions;
Badrinarayan Temple: is located on the Alaknanda bank and is dedicated to Vishnu, in particular to his incarnations are sages Nara and Narayana.
Gangotri Temple: stands on the origin of the Ganges River. Most Hindus believe it to be the home of Ganga, Goddess of Wisdom and the sacred soul of river Ganga.
Kedarnath Mandir: Another major site of sacred Chota Char Dham path is named after King Kedar. The shrine was built in VIII century and it is one of the twelve temples, housing a Jyotirlingam, which is believed to release from misery everyone who sincerely worships Shiva.
Yamunotri temple: The temple in Yamunotri is located on the left bank of the river Yamuna named after river Goddess Yamuna. The temple usually opens in the end of April and can be visited till Diwali (mid-October – November).
Amarnath Cave Temple: Rocky Mountains of Kashmir are home to Amarnath Cave Temple. In the tough region of Himalayas Amarnath cave is the place where Shiva explained the secret of immortal life to Parvati. Inside the cave of Amarnath there are ice stalagmites: increate Shivalingam, to the left there is a block representing Ganesha and to the right – Parvati and Bhairava. They often change in size, reach the largest size during the full moon and begin to wane during the new moon.
Bajreswari Temple: Located at Kangra near Dharmsala in Himachal Pradesh. Temple is dedicated to Devi who is one of the incarnations of Goddess Maa Parvati which killed a demon Kalikala with a Vajra (diamond scepter or a thunderbolt) later presented to Indra.
Chintpurni Temple: It is a Shakti Peetha located near Jwalamukhi in Himachal Pradesh and is a revered shrine where Shakti is worshipped. The official priests of the temple are descendants of the establisher.
Daksheswara Mahadev Temple: located on the banks of Ganges and is one of the most famous holy places in Haridwar. It is dedicated to Shiva and his first wife Sati.Temple is widely known for wild Shivaratri festivals, dedicated to the marriage of Sati and Shiva. They attract a lot of pilgrims every year.
Triyuginarayan temple: Located near Gupt Kashi in Uttar Pradesh Triyuginarayan Temple is dedicated to Shiva, Parvati and Narayan. It is known among pilgrims for its eternal flame. Shiva and Parvati got married at Shivaratri in the presence of holy fire, which is still burning at Triyuginarayan Mandir symbolizing the divine sacrament.
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Reach Yamunotri By Air
The closest airport (Jolly Grant, Dehradun) lies at a distance of 210 km from the town of Yamunotri. From India's capital city of Delhi, you can catch regular flights to the Jolly Grant Airport. After arriving at the airport, you can hire a cab to reach Yamunotri. The cab charges will be anywhere between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000.
Reach Yamunotri By Rail (By Train)
If you want to travel by train, you can first reach the Dehradun railway station. The railway station is at 172 km from the town of Yamunotri. Once you are at the Dehradun Railway station, you'll find a good number of cabs ready to take you to Yamunotri. The charges for hiring a cab will be around Rs 3,000.
Reach Yamunotri By Road (By Bus)
The sacred town of Yamunotri remains very well connected by road to all the key tourist places in Uttarakhand and outside. You'll find regular buses running to Hanuman Chatti (14 km from Yamunotri) from different places in the state. Rishikesh is at a distance of 213 km and Dehradun at 172 km from Yamunotri.
Best Time to visit Yamunotri
The best time to visit Yamunotri is between May-June and September-November. Due to heavy rainfall in the area, visitors may face difficulty reaching the temple during monsoon season (late June to Aug). Tthe temple usually remains open from last week of April to 2nd week of November.
Places to visit in and around Yamunotri (Tourist Attractions)
There are various places of interest for every kind of visitor. While there is Saptarishi Kund, Yamunotri temple, Surya Kund, Divya Shila, Hanuman Chatti, Chamba, Barkot, Kharsali at the same time there is trekking for the adventure lovers.
Yamunotri Temple: The main attraction at Yamunotri is the temple dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal Sulphur springs, almost 7 km away at Jankichatti. The trudge from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri is very pleasing with striking visions of number of cascades.
Saptarishi Kund:
Saptarishi Kund is regarded as the origin of Yamuna River. At an altitude of 4421 meters, Saptarishi Kund is regarded as the origin of Yamuna River. With its murky bluish waters, pebbly banks and the rare display of Brahama lotus, Saptarshi Kund beholds delightful scenery. Before you venture your trip to Saptarsi Kund, it is necessary that you should familiarize with the climatic conditions of this region by staying a day at Yamunotri.
Surya Kund: There are a number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple which flows into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund.
Divya Shila:
It is a powerful rock pillar located near the Surya Kund at Yamunotri, Divya Shila presents a ethereal feeling to the devotees. It is conventional that all the devotees should make poojas here at Divya Shila before they enter Yamunotri.
HanumanChatti: 13 km from Yamunotri, the confluence of Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers,from where the trek to Dodi Tal (3,307mt)starts. A six hours climb through the lustrous meadows and the woody hills enjoying the aromatic fragrance of the Himalayan shrubs provides one with sheer amusement.
Kharsali: Kharsali presents exciting surroundings and lovely ambiance to the picnickers. A quaint with lots of thermal springs and pretty cascades, Kharsali is one of the most renowned tourist location in this region. A mind-blowing meadow where Oak and conifers trees surrounds the environ, Kharsali presents natures beauty at its zenith.
Barkot:
It is a small town located on the way to Yamunotri, just 49 kilometers away from Yamunotri. Barkot have one of the ancient temple and ideal for meditation.
Trekking in Yamunotri Area
Besides a Char Dham destination, Yamunotri also offers some of the pictorial as well as tedious treks to the adventurous people. Yamunotri could be reached by trekking from Dehradun through Yamuna Bridge and Barkot or even via Rishikesh.Some of the popular and exciting treks which you can try while visiting Yamunotri are: The Dodi Tal trek, the trek from Hanuman Chatti to Phul Chatti, the trek from Janki Chatti to Kharsali.
Day-By-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi - Haridwar (230 Kms/ 6hrs)
Arrival Delhi Railway Station or Airport, Meet & Assist further drive to Haridwar AFTER LUNCH. Later drive to Haridwar transfer to your Hotel. Visit Har-ki-Pauri for Ganga Aarti in evening if Time permits. Back to your hotel, Night halt.
Day 2: Haridwar - Barkot (220kms/ 7hr)
Drive to Barkot via Dehradun & Mussoorie. Enroute visit Kempty Fall and others later drive straight to your Hotel for night halt.
Day 3: Barkot - Yamunotri - Barkot {36kms Drive & 7kms Trek (One Side)}
Drive to Hanuman Chatti, for Janki chatti (It helps to reduce the trek upto 8 kms), trek start from here to Yamunotri (6kms). Either by walk or by horse or by Doli at own cost. Arr. Yamunotri. Later drive back to Barkot. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 4: Barkot - Uttarkashi (120 Kms / 4 Hrs)
Early morning Drive to Uttarkashi Check in at Hotel. Evening visit Lord Vishwanth Temple and Shakti Temple. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5: Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi (100 Kms Each Side)
Early morning drive to Gangotri and on arrival take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges, also called Bhagirathi at its origin. Perform Pooja after that and relax for some time in the lovely surroundings, afternoon drive to Uttarkashi, on arrival check into the Hotel.
Day 6: Uttarkashi - Rishikesh (220 Kms/ 6hrs)
Morning drive to Rishikesh. On arrival check in at hotel. Evening visit Laxman Jhula, temples & Ashrams. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 7: Rishikesh - Delhi (220kms/ 7hrs)
Morning drive to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi drop you at the Airport / Railway station for onward destination.