Yamunotri

India

Yamunotri is a city in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Various waterfalls on the trek to the temple. Hot sulphur springs. If one has the resources like porters, mountaineering gear food, tent etc then one can also trek further up to Saptarishi. Mind you it is a very treacherous trek.

The destination of all pilgrims is usually to bathe in the icy waters of Goddess Yamuna before having a darshan of the black idol of the Goddess herself in the main sanctum sanctorum. People usually have a dip in the taptkund adjacent to the temple before having a glimpse of the deity. The taptkund (natural hot sulphur springs) are believed to have numerous medicinal properties. Some devotees however venture out to the river below to bath in its icy waters. Various Hindu texts extol the virtues of bathing in the Yamuna as a means of absolving sins that would lead to an afterlife in Hell.

Holy texts, idols, pictures of the temple and the deity (the original picture is not available anywhere as photography is strictly prohibited inside the sanctum sanctorum), beads etc. You won't find anything fancy in these places as the trip to these places is made not indulge in luxury but in natural bliss.

Satvik food devoid of any onion or garlic. The restaurant at the end of the row of hotels near the parking lot (on the right hand sideof the road) serves delicious food. You will also find food of average quality during the trek to the temple.

It is recommended that you fill your bottles with natural spring water available free of cost while traveling to Yamunotri. During trekking you won't find any dearth of local taps en route. But it is advisable to fill your bottles with water from your starting point of the trek. Once you reach the temple, descend down to bank and have your heart's fill of the pure glacier waters of Yamuna. The intoxication and satisfaction is indescribable.