Yamunotri Yatra by Helicopter – Fast and Convenient

Hinduism is not just a religion; it is also a way of life. Consider the system of “ashramas.” An individual’s life can be divided into four stages: Brahmacharya, which represents student life; Grihastha ashram, which represents married life; Vanaprastha ashram, representing retirement; and Sannyasa, representing the last stage of renunciation. It is common for people to marry, bring up children, and then retire, a period during which they usually embark on pilgrimages to various Tirthdhams spread across India.

Among these, the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of the most strenuous, requiring good health for traveling by road and on foot to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Yamunotri Yatra by helicopter makes the journey much easier. The Kedarnath route is the toughest, involving a 14 to 16 km trek, which can be challenging for older individuals. However, in ancient times, people used to spend a year or more on pilgrimages. The Char Dham Yatra’s first stop is Yamunotri.

Yamunotri

The shrine dedicated to Goddess Yamuna is located on the banks of the Yamuna River, at an altitude of 3,291 meters in the Uttarkashi district, with the Banderpoonch mountain ranges in the background. The temple houses an idol of Yamuna made from black marble. The temple was built, damaged due to natural calamities, and then reconstructed over the centuries by various rulers, including Amar Singh Thapa, Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal, and Maharani Guleria of Jaipur in the 19th century.

Yamuna is the sister of Yama, the god of death, and the daughter of Surya, the Sun God. Hindus believe that praying at the temple and bathing in the river can cleanse one of sins, helping break the cycle of life and death. The temple is opened to pilgrims in the summer, around the time of Akshay Tritiya (late April or early May), and closes after Diwali when winter sets in.

Getting There

Pilgrims usually arrive at Haridwar, a railhead and make their way to Rishikesh and then travel by road to Hanuman Chatti and then Janki Chatti. It is a 6 km trek from Hanuman Chatti and 4 km from Janki Chatti. One can just as well ride a pony or hire a palanquin. The trek takes pilgrims to Divya Shila where they offer their respects, to Suryakund, a hot water spring where they cook the offering of rice and potatoes wrapped in cloth and Gaurikund where they bathe before entering the temple and praying to the Goddess to grant their wishes. It is no easy task to reach the temple even for the fit and for those who are not in perfect health it can be a daunting experience. An easier and better way is the Yamunotri yatra by helicopter.

Yamunotri Helicopter Yatra

Several aviation companies now offer Char Dham Yatra by helicopter. Pilgrims can choose to visit one destination, or opt for a helicopter yatra covering multiple destinations, such as Gangotri and Yamunotri. It is not much more expensive to add Gangotri to the Yamunotri trip, but that choice is entirely up to individual pilgrims. Helicopter bookings should be made well in advance. Pilgrims typically arrive at the Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun by 6 AM. After completing necessary procedures, including a biometric health check, the helicopter takes off around 7 AM. In less than an hour, it lands at Kharsali, and pilgrims travel the rest of the way to the temple by palanquin. After darshan and meals, the helicopter proceeds to Harsil for the Gangotri yatra. By 4:30 PM, pilgrims return to Sahastradhara. This is a one-day journey, in contrast to the several days of discomfort and hardship involved in surface travel.

For those who don’t have the entire day to spare, there is a shorter service available. This departs from Dehradun at 7 AM, arrives at Kharsali at 8 AM, and returns to Dehradun by 1 PM, allowing enough time to catch a return flight to Delhi or another destination.

Keep in Mind

• Ensure you have your biometric health certificate obtained in advance.
• Arrive at the helipad in advance and confirm your reservation.
• Wear woolens, shoes, and headgear.
• Carry only a small pack not exceeding 2 kg in weight.
• The flight may be delayed due to weather conditions and it may even be canceled. You can opt for a refund or take your chance on the next available flight to Khalil.

A yatra that would typically take several days is reduced to just a few hours when done by helicopter. This makes it ideal for those in their Vanaprastha or Sannyasa stages of life, when health may not be at its best. It is also perfect for those with limited time. Additionally, the stunning aerial views of the landscape add to the overall experience.