Yamunotri The temple at Yamunotri forms the last of the "char dhams" of Uttarakhand. Here, the river Yamuna is worshipped. Alongside Ganga, the Yamuna is a major river of northern India. It emerges from the depths of the Yamunotri glacier a few kilometers above the Yamunotri temple. However, the trail towards the source is dangerous and hence the river is worshipped at Yamunotri itself. There are hot sulphur springs at Yamunotri and pilgrims cook rice using the heat and offer it to the goddess. The motor road runs along the banks of the Yamuna up to the roadhead at Hanuman Chatti. From here, one treks 14 km to reach Yamunotri.

Shivling is a two summit mountain which rises not far from the snout of the Gangotri Glacier - the largest glacier in the Himalaya. It is one of the most beautiful peaks in allGarhwal. Due to its unusual shape - which earned it its nickname 'Indian Matterhorn' - andeasy access, Shivling is very popular among climbers. Credit: Hugo Velthuijsen

Tons Valley
West of the Bhagirathi lies the valley of the Tons. The Tons Valley is a botanist's paradise. The green alpine valley is full of multicolored flowers -- nasturtiums with bright yellow and red flowers, primulas, geraniums, white chrysanthemums, and wild roses of various hues, junipers, cedar and birch forests which are among the best in the entire Garhwal Himalayas. It is one of the most enchanting valleys for trekkers and tourists.

The Supin river drains the water from the Banderpunch, Black Peak and Swargarohini Peaks in the Tons Valley. Tons is famous for its green forests of the pine and deodar trees -- one of the best forests in Asia.

The approach to the Har-Ki-Dun Valley takes one through the Tons Valley and the villages of Taluka, Panwali and Osla. From a distance, the blood-red Ramdana fields contrast with the greenery of the area and make the landscape colorful.

The view from Taluka towards the Har-Ki-Dun Valley and the Banderpunch peak is fascinating. There are green deodar, fir and spruce forests, spread on both sides of the valley, whereas the river is mainly flat and wide. The Tons River makes serpentine loops at this place which enhances the beauty.

At Netwar village is the confluence of the Rupin and Supin rivers. It is an upcoming township and there are shops, schools, medical facilities and government offices here. The Duryodhan temple, dedicated to Duryodhan -- the eldest brother of the Kauravas of the epic Mahabharata -- makes this small part of the region different from the rest of the country.

After the confluence of the Rupin and Supin rivers, the river is "baptized" and called the Tons River. It flows down through the deep gorge that separates the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The area is inhabited by the well- known tribals of Jaunsar-Bawarm, who are called Jaunsaries.