Pilgrimage to Yamunotri-Where Fear Fades Away
Yamunotri is a very holy place for Hindus. It has beautiful nature views. People think it’s where the Yamuna River starts. There are glaciers and hot springs. It is great for people who love nature. You can walk by streams and see amazing things. The best way to go to Yamunotri is by taking the Do Dham Yatra by helicopter.
The Amazing Holy Place Called Yamunotri:
Yamunotri is the first stop on the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. This sacred journey goes from west to east. It includes Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. It connects the sources of India’s two major rivers. These are Ganga and the Yamuna. Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. All four shrines are at similar altitudes. Yamunotri is at the lowest altitude of 3293 meters and Kedarnath the highest at 3553 meters.
In ancient times, pilgrims mostly traveled between these shrines using trekking routes. These routes still exist. These places have many legends, some dating back to the time of the Mahabharata. Only Gangotri and Badrinath are accessible by road. Yamunotri requires a six-kilometer trek from Janaki Chatti. Kedarnath needs a difficult 18-kilometer trek from Gaurikund. For more details, you can check the Comprehensive Guide for Kedarnath Trek.
Information About the Source of Yamunotri:
Just like Gangotri, Yamunotri is not where the Yamuna River truly starts. The real source is SaptrishiKund. This a small glacial lake which gets its water from the Champasar Glacier in the Bandar Poonch mountains. It is about 14 to 18 kilometers away from the Yamunotri temple and over 16,500 feet high. Saptrishikund is named after seven great sages—Kashyapa, Atri, Bharadwaj, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Vasistha. There is not much information about trekking here, but it is possible, though a bit tough.
This place is stunning, with legends even connecting it to the Ramayana. It is said that Hanuman searched for Sanjeevani here. People want to do this trek because of its beauty and not just the legend. It is said that the real source of Yamuna is hard to reach. So the temple was built in the valley where it is more accessible. You can also reach Yamunotri by helicopter. For this, you can enquire about 4 dham yatra by helicopter price.
Interesting Details About the Yamunotri Shrine:
The Yamunotri temple has several important parts. First, there is a spring in the rocks where the Yamuna River starts. People worship the river here. It is protected by a cage. Nearby, there is a temple with three idols. One is of the Yamuna, one of the Ganga, and another of the Yamuna used during processions and festivals.
Between these places, there’s a hot spring called Soorya Kund because Yamuna is thought to be the Sun god’s daughter. The water is so hot that people cook rice in it. They take this as a blessing (Prasad).
There are also baths for people to use before the prayer. They mix the hot spring water with cold Yamuna water to make it comfortable. Men and women have separate baths. You can find many shops selling food, snacks, drinks, offerings, and souvenirs. There are also places to stay if you cannot get back to Janaki Chatti before dark.
Before you go on this journey make sure you know all details about Yamunotri. You can check the Comprehensive Guide for Kedarnath Trek and Yamunotri. This will make your journey better and easy.
The Challenging Yamunotri Yatra:
Yamunotri is the first stop of the four dhams. It is quite hard to reach. It is at a lower height than the other dhams. But the narrow and crowded path makes it tough. The narrow path is like a one-way road. But many people walk in both directions, causing traffic and delays. You can choose to trek or ride a pony. It is better to take a pony when going up. This is because it can be cold and tiring. However, when coming down you can walk comfortably.
Yamunotri yatra has challenges but you must visit this place. The calm atmosphere and natural beauty give a great experience. The feeling of peace and spirituality is very nice. The rough trek or pony ride adds to the adventure. The stunning Himalayan landscapes and hot springs at Soorya Kund are captivating. While the journey may be tough, the rewards are immense. You get a deep connection with nature. There is a sense of spiritual fulfillment in Yamunotri.
How To Reach Yamunotri?
By Rail:
The nearest train stations are Rishikesh and Dehradun. Dehradun station is 175 km away, and Rishikesh is 200 km before Yamunotri. These stations are well-connected to many parts of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. You can find taxis and buses from various towns in Uttarakhand.
By Road:
There are no direct roads to Yamunotri. The journey begins at Hanuman Chatti. Hanuman Chatti has good road connections to major places in Uttarakhand. You can get buses to Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses and taxis to Hanuman Chatti are easily available from many places in Uttarakhand.
Charter Helicopter:
You can take do dham yatra by helicopter to reach Yamunotri quickly. It is a fast and convenient option for the pilgrimage. The helicopter ride offers stunning views of the Himalayas. It saves time and energy compared to the trek. This makes it a popular choice for many pilgrims.
What Stats Say About Yamunotri Pilgrimage?
The number of pilgrims visiting Yamunotri Dham as of May 2024 has surpassed the data of May 2023. A total of 12,185 pilgrims were recorded on a single day, leaving behind the record of 12,045 pilgrims visiting Dham per day. With the increasing number of pilgrims, the committee has decided to open the holy shrines till midnight, allowing devotees to seek divine blessings.
Festivals and occasions like Ganga Saptmi increase the traffic flow coming from char dham yatra by helicopter from Dehradun and Yamunotri. The traffic route from Yamunotri to Gangotri leads to traffic jams on the narrow roads, making pilgrims suffer throughout their journey. However, the temple committee has decided to provide refreshments to pilgrims visiting Dham late at night, providing other facilities and complete support to make their spiritual yatra less stressful.
Top 03 Activities to Explore in Yamunotri
Here are major activities/ places that tourists and devotees must do/ visit when making the Chardham yatra by helicopter booking from travel aviation companies.
1. Visit Stunning Sites
Kharsali, Divya Shilla, Saptrishi Kund, Barkot, Surya Kund, Hanuman Chatti, and Janki Chatti are some of the best places that have to be on your list of places to explore. From connecting you spiritually to the divine, purifying the soul to viewing beautiful landscapes of the mountains, these places make your overall yatra memorable.
2. Trekking
The 6 km trek at Yamunotri is among the top activities to do when you visit the site. Starting from the Janki Chatti, trekking usually takes an average of 4-5 hrs to complete, giving you multiple views in between. It includes chills of waterfalls, lush green forests, and overall stunning views of the Himalayan ranges.
3. Rituals & Pooja
Another major activity is performing rituals and pooja at the Yamunotri Dham mandir and nearby holy temples that are considered sacred. When you begin your Char Dham by helicopter from Dehradun, engage in performing rituals and pooja ceremonies, respecting their cultural heritage.
Do’s & Don’ts You Must Consider
Do’s-
- Carry enough go-to edible items & water
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Respect their cultural heritage
- Do rituals & pooja
Don’ts-
- Do not pollute the environment
- Do not consume items that hurt sentiments
- Do not disturb the temple proceedings
- Do not make reels in the temple campus
Conclusion:
Yamunotri is an important place which is known for its natural beauty. The peaceful and spiritual atmosphere of this place is amazing. The journey is tough, but it is worth it. You can make a deep connection with nature in Yamunotri.
To reach Yamunotri, you can take a train to Rishikesh or Dehradun. Then use taxis or buses to get to Hanuman Chatti. From there, you can trek or ride a pony. You can also check 4 dham yatra by helicopter price of Megamax Aviation. A charter helicopter provides a quick and convenient option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I begin the Yamunotri trek?
The Yamunotri trek begins at Barkot, Uttarakhand which is approximately 6-7 hours away from Dehradun. Barkot is the base for the Yamunotri trek and is easily reachable.
Which travel company provides Yamunotri Dham services?
If you are looking to hire the best Yamunotri/ Do Dham/ Char Dham Yatra by helicopter from Dehradun, you must go for Megamax Aviation. The company provides a one-stop solution for your spiritual journey. From comfort & luxury accommodations to emergency medical services by helicopter, the company ensures hassle-free yatra for its passengers.
Can I book a charter helicopter to seek blessings at Yamunotri Dham?
Yes, you can easily book or rent out a private charter to seek blessings at Yamunotri Dham. However, major companies provide helicopter renting services if you book at least for traveling Do Dham yatra.
When is the ideal time to go for Yamunotri Dham?
May-June & Sep-Oct are considered an ideal time to visit the Yamunotri Dham. These summer months & post-monsoon months are the pleasant and ideal time to trek.