Chardham Yatra Taxi Service 2024

The temple at Yamunotri marks the source of another sacred river “Yamuna” which from  Yamunotri glaciers on the western edge of the Bandarpoochh (Paravat(mountain) peak (6,315 m). The temple was built by the ‘Maharani Gularia’ of Jaipur in the 19th Century. There is a number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple which flow into numerous pools. Nearby there is Jamuna Bai Kund built about 100 years ago which is used for the holy bath. The water is pleasantly warm and relaxing. The ‘Pandas’ or the Pujari of Yamnotri come from the village of Kharsala which is on the other bank of the Yamuna near Janki Chatti.  The most important of these is ‘Suryakund’.

• Surya Kund: There are several thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple, which flow into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund.
• Divya Shila: A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple.
• Hanuman Chatti: 13 km from Yamunotri. The confluence of Hanuman, Ganga, and Yamuna river, from where the trek ‘Dodi Tal’ (3307 mt) starts.
• Another picturesque place from Yamunotri is Sayanachatti (18km). ‘Chamba’ (a climb of 1,524 m).
• Janki Chatti: 0.5 km from Yamunotri, it is noted for its thermal springs, where tourists can enjoy a refreshing bath.
• Ayana Chatti: 27 km from Barkot and 18 km from Yamunotri is a scenic spot on the banks of the river Yamuna.

The Ganges is India’s most sacred river. Hindus believe its waters to have flowed eternally. Its source is said to be the summit of Mt. Meru; the mythical mountain at the center of the universe. From there the river descends to earth via Lord Shiva’s matted hair, which cushions its falls. Hindus worship it as the goddess Ganga and the great cities of Varanasi, Allahabad, and Hardwar on its banks are amongst the most important pilgrim places in India. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges to cleanse themselves of the Marma of previous and current lives, and so ensure an auspicious rebirth. The closest temple to the sources of the Ganges lies 10,300 feet up in the small mountain village of Gangotri, half a day of the climb on foot from the town of Rishikesh. “Gaumukh” the actual source of the Ganges is at 13,858 feet; a further day’s walk ahead to where the Gangotri glacier meets the Bhagirathi river. Prayer flags and small shrines mark the source & a good place to meditate in solitude.

The other places of pilgrimage near Gangotri are :

• Surya Kund,
• Submerged Shivling
• Vishnu Kund
• Brahma Kund
• Bhaironghati
• Bhavishya Badri Temple

It is located at a height of 11,742 feet(3580 m) near the head of the river Mandakini. Kedarnath is a famous pilgrim site for Lord Shiva devotees. According to the legend, Lord Shiva wished to elude the Pandavas and took refuge in Kedarnath. The lingam at Kedarnath, unlike its usual form, is pyramidal and is regarded as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.

• The shrine is closed on the first day of Kartik (Oct-Nov) and reopened in Vaishakh (Apr-May).
• During 9 months of closure, the shrine is submerged in snow, and worship is performed at Ukhimath.
• Kedarnath Dham is accessible by a 13 km trek through a hilly paved path (horses or palanquins are available for rent) from Gaurikund.

As the legend goes, in the Mahabharata, while on their Himalaya pilgrimage, the Pandavas decided to pay homage to Lord Shiva. But Lord Shiva was not interested in meeting them as they were guilty of Gotra Hatya (killing their brethren). Seeing the Pandavas coming, the Lord disguised himself as a bull. But the Pandavas saw through Shiva’s disguise. Realizing that his disguise had not worked the bull tried to plunge himself beneath the ground. But Bhima was swift and held on the hind legs of the bull, thus preventing it from vanishing. In the struggle that ensued different parts of Lord Shiva’s body appeared at various places in Kedarkhand. The forehead showed up at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, the hump of the bull at Kedarnath, the torso including the navel at Madhmaheshwar, the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, and the matted hair at Kalpeshwar. The Indian Panch Kedar trek includes all five shrines associated with the Kedar legend. All of them are situated in the Kedar Valley.

Badrinath is one of the itineraries of the every devout Hindu. The present temple was built about 2 centuries ago by the Kings of Gharwal. The principal idol in the temple is of black stone and represents Lord Vishnu seated in a meditative pose, and flanked by Narayan. Badrinath is also known as Vishal Badri. The temple remains closed from October to April due to severe winter conditions. The famous hot spring of Taptkund and Suryakund is just below the temple. A dip considered holy and refreshing to the body, as well as the soul, is a must before offering prayers to Shri Badrinath.