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The Yamunotri temple is located in Uttarakhand, India, a full day’s journey from Uttaranchal’s main towns — Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun. The actual temple is only accessible by a thirteen kilometer walk from the town of Hanuman Chatti and a six kilometer walk from Janki Chatti; horses or palanquins are available for rent. The hike from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri is very picturesque with beautiful views of a number of waterfalls. The original temple was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century. The current temple is of recent origin as past iterations have been destroyed by the weather and elements. Lodging at the temple itself is limited to a few small ashrams and guest-houses. Ritual duties such as the making and distribution of prasad (sanctified offerings) and the supervision of pujas (ritual venerations) are performed by the Uniyal family of pujaris(priests). Unique aspects of ritual practice at the site include hot springs where raw rice is cooked and made into prasad. It is located at an altitude of 3,235 metres approximately. A little ahead is the actual source of the river Yamuna which is at an altitude of about 4,421 metres approximately. Hot springs are also present offering relief to tired hikers.
There seems to be a confusion about who built the temple of Yamunotri. According to the website [uttarkashi.nic.in/Yamunotri.htm], the temple was originally constructed by Maharaj Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal.
Get in
The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun. The nearest railway stations to Yamunotri are at Rishikesh and Kotdwa. There are regular buses operating to Yamunotri from Delhi, Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Do
* Hot Geyser. There is a hot spring near the temple, and many saints live in the surrounding mountains all year round despite the harsh winter at such high elevations.
Buy
Wool, Ayurvedic medicine, Holy books, sacred threads, sea shells, temple requirements, aarti booklets, colourful beads and braceletes.
