In the land of Dev Bhoomi (Chota Char Dham) Part 1

Char Dham, is a yatra which is usually done when people cross 60, after having lived their lives and fulfilling most of the responsibilities and who further choose to walk on this spiritual journey to attain moksha or spiritual growth.
I am a nature lover, a spiritual person who loves adventure and is open for all kinds of travel, decided to take this spiritual journey definitely not to attain moksha (I am yet to fulfil my responsibilities ) the whole purpose of my journey was little different by experiencing through all of the aspects. As per me, there is no age bar to be on a spiritual journey I have had vast aspects to this yatra like hiking, nature, exploring and definitely to sense the  energy in 'Dev Bhoomi'
On research, I did realize what I am doing is not Char Dham its called Chota Char Dham, the actual Char Dham is Dwarka, Badrinath, Rameshwaram and Jagannath Puri.
It would be my pleasure to take you through this beautiful journey of Chota Char Dham which ideally starts from Haridwar/Dehradun and then Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath or vice-versa.

           Glimpse of first Chota Char Dham, 'Yamnotri'

Long journeys are always pre-planned and it was the same with this, but to plan a budget-friendly without a tour company assisting, you need members and that's a difficult task as you need co-travellers as you're doing something not all in your age group is doing, its especially difficult when people fall in and out of the plan till the 11th hour. In spite of all odds, we were able to finalize our group, minimum members and we locked our schedule.
FYI - (To travel to Uttrakhand  one has to go through Mumbai-Delhi-Dehradun and then hire a vehicle from Dehradun or flight directly to Dehradun, Jolly Grant Airport.)

        Enroute to Dehradun, visited India Gate in Delhi

Dehradun Railway station 

 We Pre-booked our vehicle and stays so it was quite easier but this is the land of Lords and nothing comes your way so easy.
We started our journey from Dehradun which is very convenient to travel so as this was self-planned we did change our destinations to stay which ideally tourist take.
The first day of travel we had a long stretch, direct to the base of Yamunotri yatra which is Jankichatti.
Enroute was Mussoriee hill station and the view of Kempty falls which I had visited earlier, you feel so nostalgic when you revisit the same place years later.
A 2-day train journey and another day in a car made us lethargic, sleepy and tired but the first glimpse of snow-capped mountains took away all that lethargicness and felt refreshed, had some tea, clicked few photos and yes a video call to our beloved ones to let them see what they are missing. Believe me, calling your beloved ones especially on video calls on the very first day is just craziness which I call is getting acclimatized to the mountains.

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First view of Banderpoonch Glacier

Introducing my travel mates

From left Dr Tanaji, Sachin , Pratik, Rakhee and myself.

 Yamunotri temple from Jankichatti Parking  is 7km but the place we were residing was 5.5kms from Yamunotri temple.
It was Day2, we started by 5.30am, it was cold at 8degrees in the early morning but felt pleasant while our bodies warmed up as we started walking.
There were kharcharas(mules) with the locals and pilgrims from all over the world walking alongside, There are tea stalls every 1 km, the walk wasn't steep initially gradually it did but was uphill and downhill till the end. By 9.30 we were to the entrance of Yamunotri temple.

 Board that indicates 5km

Connecting bridge

                                          Mules

Our way towards Yamuna temple

 Some Information about YAMUNOTRI TEMPLE

The holy abode of Goddess Yamuna is situated near the foot of Kalind Parbat (peak) and on a side of Banderpoonch Parbat. Nestled in the intimidating Himalayas, Yamunotri temple is believed to be constructed by the king of Tehri,  in 1839. The stunning setting of the temple is enough to fill the hearts of the devotees. Yamuna River jets down from one side of the temple, which houses Goddess Yamuna in the form of a black marble idol. Ganga Devi to finds her place, in white stone, by the side of Yamuna.
Some people were taking bath in the Surya Kund(hot water spring), we just washed our hands and feet in that water and went up to the glacier to get the purest form of Yamuna.

                                Yamnotri Temple

                Happy faces completing 5km in 2.5hrs

Yamunotri temple has hot water springs 'Surya Kund' it is the most important kund. Near the Surya Kund there is a shila called Divya Shila, which is worshipped before puja is offered to the deity. Devotees prepare rice and potatoes, tied in muslin cloth.

Humara 'Sachin' on the way for collecting some authentic Yamuna Jal direct from glacier.

The choice is personal how much time one wants to spend on the holy lands, pilgrims usually spend 1hour depending on the crowd.
We had our breakfast while on our way back down to Janki Chatti, this time it took just 1.5 hours to descend.

Breakfast+ Lunch = Brunch

After taking blessings of Yamuna Devi we were more energetic for our further journey, it feels so great when the plan just goes the way it is designed..

It's difficult to take you through my entire journey all in one blog so I am splitting it up..
The best is yet to come.

Watch out for more.
https://pstrekdiary.blogspot.com/2019/07/in-land-of-dev-bhoomi-part-2-this-was.html