Hanuman Chatti, Yamunotri, Uttarakhand

Hanuman Chatti serves as a base camp for many beautiful trek journeys that one can enjoy while walking amidst the snowy Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It can be a starting point for such a peaceful yet amazing adventure you’re looking for. This small town, being the entry point for many picturesque trails, is located about 286 km away from Rishikesh in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The three famous trails that can be walked from this town are a spiritual walk to Yamunotri, a walk to the wilderness of Dodital, and sneaking your way up to Darwa Top.

Given the clarity with the name of this place as ‘Hanuman Chatti,’ it can be easily surmised that it was the spiritual abode of Lord Hanuman (who was known as the loyal disciple of Lord Rama and always stayed with him in his good and bad days) some centuries ago. According to legends, Lord Hanuman used to stay in this area by camouflaging as a monkey. But one day, Lord Bhima was traversing through this place and saw an old monkey’s tail creating an obstruction in his path. Lord Bhima asked the monkey to take away his tail from the path, but the monkey denied any kind of help. Lord Bhima then took the matter into his own hands and started removing the tail from his path.

However, after applying several of his efforts, the tail didn’t budge. Lord Bhima came to the conclusion that this was no ordinary monkey, and folding both hands in submission, he asked the monkey to show his real face. After that, Lord Hanuman revealed his true identity, and Lord Bhima bowed to him in respect and admiration. After this incident, the place was named after Lord Hanuman’s spiritual abode.

This place is actually famous for having a century-old Lord Hanuman temple in total wilderness. Hundreds of devotees come here every day to pay their homage to the idol of Lord Hanuman carrying a mountain in his hand. There are many pilgrims who are on their expedition to Yamunotri, another spiritual place, and it is evident that they always make their spiritual rest at this place and worship Lord Hanuman in that temple.

Must See Places

Janki Chatti

Janki Chatti is only 7 km away from Hanuman Chatti, and many tourists prefer to trek to this place while admiring the natural beauty from Hanuman Chatti. This place is famous for its hot water springs, so you can take a nice bath here. If you are not so much into walking, then there are nowadays ponies and palanquins available at this place that can take you to Janki Chatti.

Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri Temple is yet another major landmark of India, where millions of pilgrims come to pay their spiritual homage to the supreme being. It is also part of the the Char Dham Yatra, a very famous journey undertaken by millions every year in the hope of attaining salvation after death. The temple, built atop Kalind Mountain in the 19th century, is regarded with great spiritual admiration by the people of the Hindu religion.

Surya Kund

This is a very spiritual hot water spring, located only 10 meters from the Yamunotri Temple. Before entering the temple premises, many devotees come to this spring with a bag of rice, which they later dip in the spring by fastening it in a cloth. It is said that the bag of rice gets cooked properly in the hot spring, which is then offered to the idol of the temple.

Dodital

Dodital is only 3 km away from Hanuman Chatti and is a very popular trekking site among those travelers who come to seek adventure in Uttarakhand. The place is famous for its beautiful mirror-like lake, where one can get lost in its serenity. Many trekkers visit this place for a purposeful adventure and to witness the panoramic views of the places settled in the lower areas.

Darwa Top

Darwa Top is a few kilometers away from Dodital, and it is the last stop for those adventure seekers who engage in this trekking experience. To reach this place, one has to walk through dense forest areas and some of the most picturesque places, making the adventure up to this place somewhat inexplicable. This place is also considered the birthplace of Lord Ganesh, so you can think of yourself paying homage to Lord Ganesh by visiting this place.

Best Time to Visit

Because Hanuman Chatti is hidden away in the great Himalayas of Uttarakhand, this region witnesses extreme cold during winters. So, visiting this region during winter may not be a good idea, and it is also advised that it should not be visited during the monsoon season because this region receives heavy rainfall.

The ideal time to visit is from April to June and September to November. However, if you are keen to see this place during snowfall, you can visit in December but not after that. The region receives heavy snowfall from January to March, and a red alert is usually issued by the weather forecast authorities during that time.

How to Reach

Hanuman Chatti is located about 522 km away from Delhi and 286 km away from Rishikesh. You can use any form of transportation to reach this place, be it by air, by road, or by train.

By Air

The nearest airport to this place is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. From there, you can book a private taxi to Hanuman Chatti or take a Volvo bus from Dehradun to Yamunotri. However, before jumping to conclusions and getting a taxi from outside the airbase, it is advisable to hire one from the inner circle of the airport, as they are considered safer.

By Train

The nearest railway stations are in Dehradun or Rishikesh, so you can book your ticket accordingly. From there, you can book a private taxi or take a Volvo bus to reach this place. The best part of going to this place by train is the picturesque route, where you will be captivated by the beautiful mountains and the Himalayan people.

By Road

By road, you have several options like private taxis, Volvo buses, or your own car. The distance from Delhi to Hanuman Chatti is 522 km, so prepare yourself for a fun-filled road journey. The best part of having your own vehicle is that you can take a break at any point and enjoy the serene beauty of the Himalayas.