Incredible Places to Visit in Yamunotri

The temple of goddess Yamuna which is perched on the edge of a cliff in the Garhwal Himalayas is surrounded by some of the most awe inspiring popular and offbeat places to explore. While planning a pilgrimage of Char Dham or just to Yamunotri be sure to add a day or 2 extra of some added sightseeing experiences. One can experience the village life, get to know more about the local culture through the warm and welcoming local residents and have some time off for yourself in this holy land. Everywhere you look, each corner is filled with lush greenery and a mystifying presence.

Add some element of unique fun and adventure by visiting these places:

Janki Chatti

Jankichatti will be one holy town which you will be crossing for sure during your journey towards the temple. It is the final road head from where the 6kms of trek to the temple begins, but it is more than just that. It is home to numerous naturally occurring hot water springs. There are some good accommodation also available which makes spending some time off to yourself here totally worth it. Taking a dip in these waters guarantees all your physical and mental ailments to wash off. Other than that this is a great place to experience and offbeat sort of a village life.

Kharsali

This is one of the most untouched and remote villages around Yamunotri which is filled with impeccable natural beauty and clean pollution free air. Cradled in the Himalayan lap of the district of Uttarkashi it is also known as Khushimath. Serving as a pilgrimage town one gets to see a whole different face of this place during the winter time especially when it snows. This place is not also that far from Yamunotri it is also surrounded by overlooking snow clad mountains which makes for a very peaceful place to spend some time in nature.

Bali Pass Trek

If you are an adventure lover and wish to add some fun and adventure to your pilgrimage plans then adding this adventurous trek to the pass connecting Har ki Dun Valley to Yamunotri. It is a moderate level of trek which involves camping under the wide open star lit skies for a number of days to making your way through the grassy, picturesque meadows and deep valleys which sure serves as a treat for not just the eyes but for mind and soul as well. Test the adventure spirit and the explorer in you by going for this thrilling trekking experience near Yamunotri which will take up to an elevation of around 4,800 metres above sea level.

Hanuman Chatti

Situated at a very reasonable and doable distance of just 8 kms from Jankichatti is one of the most scenic village hamlet on the lap of the Himalayas. Considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage place in the district of Uttarkashi, this traditional Himalayan village is located just on the confluence of the rivers of hanuman ganga and Yamuna rivers and serves as a halting place during the holy Char Dham Yatra. Placed on an altitude of 2,400 metres above sea level this place offers an ambience to relax by the river side and have a very country side experience close to nature.

Surya Kund

As the name suggests this natural thermal spring containing hot water is one of the most landmark features for the holy temple of Yamunotri. Your visit to Yamunotri remains incomplete if you don’t happen to visit this amazingly rejuvenating place. This hot water spring adds a lot of divine and mystifying significance to the other-wise snow clad surrounding. This thermal spring is also used as a place for the preparation of the holy Prasadam which is in the form of boiled potatoes and rice. This particular holy Kund is dedicated to the sun god namely Surya who is also mythologically considered to be goddess Yamuna’s father making this place all the more divine.

Saptarishi Kund

Located at a trekking distance of around 10 kms from the main temple of Yamunotri this natural high altitude glimmering lake serves as the primary source of the river Yamuna. It is fed by the glacier of Champasar which forms a massif on the Bandarpoonch Parvat and overlooks the river from all sides. The entire diameter of this lake is around half a km and natural slate stones can be seen forming its outline which reflects the sunrays brilliantly making the whole environment looks very sublime. The boundaries of the lake is also home to the famous Brahma Kamal or lotus which is only found here and not on the lower end of the Himalayas making it extremely rare.