Places to Visit in Yamunotri

Surrounded by the towering icy mountain peaks of the Himalayas, Yamunotri is one of the most famous Uttarakhand pilgrimage places. River Yamuna originates from a frozen lake and glacier, which is near the main temple of Yamunotri. Yamunotri is one of the destinations of the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra, and one of the most famous temples in Uttarakhand. Tourists often visit Yamunotri along with Gangotri for Gangotri Yamunotri Yatra or complete the entire Chota Char Dham Yatra by road or Char Dham Yatra by helicopter.

If you are planning to visit Yamunotri on your Char Dham Yatra, we recommend you don’t just visit Yamunotri alone, but also visit other places nearby. There are so many tourist places in Yamunotri, and in all these places you will be mesmerized by the scenic beauty of the Himalayas. You can make your Uttarakhand tour plan with Shrine Yatra for your holiday in Uttarakhand.

1. Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna, and Yamunotri Temple is the main temple that is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. The mighty Himalayan peaks of Kalind Mountain and Bandarpoonch make the most picturesque sight to behold from Yamunotri Temple. You can see glaciers on these mountains, and also the snowy white Yamuna flowing near the temple. There are natural hot springs in this temple, where having a dip is an age-old ritual among devotees.

2. Shani Dev Temple

Shani Dev Temple is in Kharsali, and this temple is one of the many Yamunotri sightseeing places that you should visit. In Hindu mythology, Shani Dev is the brother of Goddess Yamuna. When the doors of Yamunotri Temple open during summer, Shani Dev visits Goddess Yamuna at Yamunotri. When winter comes, Goddess Yamuna visits Shani Dev at Kharsali.

3. Divya Shila

Divya Shila is a stone slab in Yamunotri temple, which is thought to be very holy. It is an age-old ritual for tourists to cook rice and potatoes in the hot waters of Surya Kund. It is then tied to Divya Shila as an offering to the goddess Yamuna. This is then taken as prasad.

4. Surya Kund

Surya Kund is a natural hot water spring in Yamunotri. There is Surya or the sun god is the father of Goddess Yamuna and this hot water spring is named after Surya. The thermal spring waters are very hot and tourists cook rice and potatoes in the waters and offer it to Goddess Yamuna. This is then taken as prasad by the tourists.

5. Janki Chatti

Janki Chatti is the place from where tourists start the trek to reach Yamunotri Temple. There are hot water thermal springs in Janki Chatti, where pilgrims take a hot water bath before continuing their journey towards Yamunotri. Yamunotri is just 6 km from Janki Chatti, and this is the shortest distance to reach Yamunotri by foot or ponies.

6. Kharsali

Kharsali is also called Khushimath, and it is a small village near Yamunotri Temple. It is famous for its Shani dev temple. Kharsali is also the abode of Goddess Yamuna during the winters. From Kharsali you can see the magnificent Garhwal mountains. Kharsali is also a good camping ground, where you can set a camp and stay overnight in natural surroundings.

7. Hanuman Chatti

Hanuman Chatti is a small hamlet from where you can go on several treks like Darwa Top, Dodi Tal, Yamunotri Temple. You must visit the temple of Lord Hanuman in Hanuman Chatti. Hanuman Chatti is a very scenic place where you can see Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna Rivers meet.