A holy trek to Yamunotri

Temple trails

It is a pleasure to explore Yamunotri during summer. There are many enchanting sights to be discovered in these forests, the unspoilt wilderness, pleasant weather, deep blue skies, the play of shade and light as you walk through the groves of trees and new vistas opening up after every curve.

Yamunotri is a quaint and exotic pilgrim locale in Uttaranchal. Situated in a lovely dale on the Banderpoonch peak, Yamunotri is the main source of River Yamuna and an outlet for Hanuman Ganga. The popular place of pilgrimage is home to Yamunotri Temple on the left bank of the Yamuna river on the Kalinda Peak.

A 4-hour journey from Rishikesh took me to Barkot from where the road to Yamunotri starts winding its way along the banks of the Yamuna. The trail from Barkot leads through a valley of lush vegetation and the romantic hamlets of Gangani and Kathnaur to a halting place of Sayanachatti.

Around 5 km from this locale is Hanumanchatti, the nearest halting place for Yamunotri. There is no motor road after this small town, and I had to trek another 7 km to reach Yamunotri. The path is a source of joy for nature lovers. I was lucky to encounter a variety of wild birds including multi-coloured sparrows, parakeets, woodpeckers and the laughing thrush.

After Jankibaichatti, the route to Yamunotri changes dramatically. The surrounding mountains become steep. The trek is the toughest as the track winds eternally upwards. On reaching Yamunotri, the scenic splendour of this alluring town took my breath away. The balmy oxygen-laden air starts working wonders on frayed nerves.

The Yamunotri Temple is medium-sized, and is spacious enough to conveniently entertain the flocking pilgrims. It was constructed by Queen Gulariya from Jaipur in the 19th century. The premises of the temple is charmingly solitary. Goddess Yamuna is worshiped here, and some even take a dip in the holy waters of the river.

The sting of the icy water and the bite of the chill air are to a great extent compensated by the hot water spring, Surya Kund, which is the hottest of the springs. It sprouts near Yamunotri Temple, and the water is nearly at its boiling point. Rice and potatoes tied in a piece of cloth are dipped in this water, which get cooked in no time. The cooked food is then taken home as prasad. The Divya Shila (a rock) near this spring is worshipped before offering puja to Goddess Yamuna.

Yamunotri is still wreathed in legend, myth and romance. It will continue to enchant visitors as long as its natural beauty is not encroached upon.