It was a cold dark night. Suddenly I woke up and came out of my room. There was a complete lull around. The atmosphere was clear. I looked up to the sky. It was full of stars. The stars looked very bright and large, as if nature has worn a mantle stitched with large diamonds. I lied down on a rock with my face towards sky and drank the nectar of nocturnal beauty around. Suddenly I felt shivering and went inside the room…

I was on the trail to Yamunotri. This is a place from where river Yamuna emerges out in the form of small rivulet. Situated in Garhwal Himalaya of a juvenile state Uttarakhand in India, Yamunotri is situated at about 3300 meters above sea level. The trek towards Yamunotri is a tough one and the beaten path passes through one of the most picturesque sites of this area. Yamuna is most revered river in India after Ganga. The route towards Yamunotri passes through some of the most rapturous sites. From Dehradoon a tourist can go to this place by bus. Dehradoon, now a capital city of Uttarakhand is well connected with rail, road and air route with rest of India. From here the bus takes you to a small and enchantingly beautiful hilly town, Barkot. A small break or a night halt is advisable here. The view of snow covered serene Himalayan peaks satiates the soul. After having a night’s rest and slumber you are recharged to enjoy the further journey.

Travelling on serpentine road the bus from Barkot ultimately takes to Hanuman Chatti. This is small and secluded place from where actual trekking of about 13 km towards Yamunotri starts. The services of “dandi”(the palanquins), Coolie, baskets and ponies are also available. On the way one comes across several water streams. The water is sweet and enriched with minerals. Half way between Hanuman Chatti and Yamunotri is another chatti- Janki Chatti. It is also an important joint to take rest and night halt.

The path between the two chattis is dotted with few other chattis, like Narad chatti and Phool chatti. A chatti is a type of halting place to take rest and refreshments. To have one’s own quota of biscuits, snacks and light eatables are advisable. Besides, a torch with spare batteries, a match box and candles, a knife, an umbrella and a stick plus few medicines for giddiness, vomiting and headache should also be kept during the journey. The climate at this altitude is more than cold, so few woolen cloths and blanket should also be kept. The best period to travel is from May to October.

Janki chatti is a moderate place to have night halt and nicely cooked light food. Nearby is a village named Kharsali where priests of Yamunotri live. Goddess Yamuna is worshipped here during winter season when the whole area is shrouded with white mantle of snow. Rejuvenated after a good night’s sleep one is ready to climb further.

From here, path becomes more difficult and narrow. Due care is necessary while treading on these paths especially while passing past to the moving ponies and dandis. The path all along is enchantingly beautiful. The rich flora and fauna especially avifauna adds glamour and drama to the place. Along the path in deep gorges Yamuna flows with sweet rippling sound. The climb from Janki chatti to Yamunotri is steep. Though only six or seven kilometers, is very strenuous. The natural beauty pays the dividends. Gradually large glaciers become apparent. Here from Bandarpoonch peak Yamuna comes out.

At Yamunotri the temple is comparatively new since it was damaged by the fury of weather elements. Here, there is a perennial hot water spring “Tapt Kund” or “Surya Kund”. The water of this spring is so hot that the pilgrims used to cook rice and potato in it tied in small cotton cloth as offerings. There is another pond filled with tepid water in which the pilgrims and the tourists take a refreshing dip. After having the dip they worship “Divya Shila” and then visit the temple. The ambiance is serene. This is the place where having mingled with Nature, cleansing of soul takes place. The towering snow clad peaks sooth and satiate the inner self. The place is the heritage of our planet earth and must be protected. Probably this might be the reason why these places are the sites of worship.

By: Kamal Kishore Srivastava