YAMUNOTRI TEMPLE UTTRAKASHI

Yamunotri Temple is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3,291 metres (10,797 ft) in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and has a black marble idol of the goddess. The Yamunotri temple is a full day's journey from Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun. The temple is only accessible by a 13 kilometres  trek from the town of Hanuman Chatti and a 6 kilometres  walk from Janki Chatti; horses  are available on rent for those who can not trek. The hike from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri is very picturesque with beautiful views of a number of waterfalls.

The temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya (May) and closes on Yama Dwitiya (the second day after Diwali, November) for the winter. A little ahead is the actual source of the river Yamuna which is at an altitude of about 4,421 metres (14,505 ft) approximately. Two hot springs are also present at Yamunotri offering relief to tired hikers at a height of 3,292 metres (10,801 ft), Surya Kund, has boiling hot water, while Gauri Kund, had tepid water suitable for bathing The spring water is said to be hot enough to cook rice and potatoes.