History of Char Dham

Char Dham of Uttarakhand or Chota Char Dham (small four abodes) is one of the most important Hindu Pilgrimages in India. It comprises of four most holy sites of Uttarakhand, namely - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. When and how these places got linked in a pilgrimage circuit together is not known. Each of the places has its own individual and legendary history. But perhaps it is the greatness and mysticism of each site that has qualified them to form a sacred pilgrimage tour.

Till 1950s going to the four most sacred sites of Uttarakhand meant embarking on a strenuous journey on foot through the hilly trails. People, like wandering sadhus, and those who could afford to travel with an entourage, were the most likely and regular pilgrims of Chota Char Dham. After the 1962 Indo - China war, India put massive efforts in building means of better connectivity to and infrastructure at border areas. Now the roads could take one till the nearest points of the holy abodes. This encouraged people from other backgrounds (economic or social) to initiate a tour of Char Dham circuit in Himalayas.

1. History of Yamunotri

• Yamunotri is where the second most holy of river of India, the River Yamuna, takes birth. Situated in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, Yamunotri Dham is the first stop in the pilgrimage. It is believed that bathing in its water cleanses all sins and protects from untimely and painful death. The shrine of Yamunotri is believed to be built in 1839 by the king of Tehri, Naresh Sudarshan Shah. Besides the Yamuna Devi (goddess), the idol of Ganga Devi too is housed in the revered temple. There are many hot water springs near the temple; Surya Kund is the most important among them. Devotees boil rice and potatoes in the kund and accept it as a Prasad of the devi.

Legend

• Yamuna Goddess is believed to be Sun's daughter and twin sister of Yama (the god of death). It is said that sage Asit Muni lived here and bathed in both Ganga and Yamuna. In his old age, when he was unable to go to Gangotri, a stream of Ganga started to flow across the steam of Yamuna.

4-Day Yamunotri Itinerary (Ex-Haridwar/Dehradun)

• Day 1: Arrival & Drive to Barkot
• Morning: Start from Haridwar or Dehradun and drive towards Barkot (approx. 180–210 km, 7–8 hours).
• En-route: Visit Kempty Falls in Mussoorie for a refreshing break.
• Evening: Check into a hotel in Barkot. Relax and acclimatize to the higher altitude.
• Day 2: The Sacred Trek to Yamunotri
• Early Morning: Drive from Barkot to Janki Chatti (45 km, ~2 hours), the last motorable point.
• The Trek: Begin the 6 km trek to Yamunotri Temple. You can walk (3–4 hours) or hire a pony or palanquin (doli).
• At the Temple: Take a holy dip in the Surya Kund hot springs and worship the Divya Shila before entering the main temple for Darshan.
• Return: Trek back to Janki Chatti and drive back to Barkot for an overnight stay.
• Day 3: Exploration or Return Journey
• Option A (Relaxed): Spend the day exploring local villages like Kharsali (home to the ancient Shani Dev Temple) or simply enjoy the riverside views in Barkot.
• Option B (Return): Start your drive back towards Haridwar/Dehradun. You can stop at Lakhamandal, an ancient Shiva temple site.
• Day 4: Departure
• Complete the return drive to Haridwar or Dehradun for your onward journey. 

Essential Travel Tips

• Registration: Mandatory biometric registration is required for all pilgrims. You can register for free on the Uttarakhand Tourist Care Portal.
• Best Time to Visit: The temple is open from late April/May to November (opening on Akshaya Tritiya). May-June and September-October offer the best weather.
• Trek Costs: Expect to pay approximately ₹640–₹1,000 for a pony and ₹1,900–₹3,000 for a doli (one way).
• Packing: Carry heavy woollens (even in summer), a raincoat, sturdy trekking shoes, and essential medicines for altitude sickness.