Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri, the source of Yamuna River and the seat of the Goddess Yamuna, the Yamunotri Dham is the holy journey at the height of 3293 meters at Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand. The temple devoted to Goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal spring at Janki Chatti at 7 kms away are the major attractions of Yamunotri tour. The actual source of River Yamuna is at a fewer distance from the temple at an altitude of about 4,421 meters (14,505 ft). Besides, two hot springs can also be seen at Yamunotri Dham out of Surya Kund, has boiling water properties where the Gauri Kund has lukewarm water suitable for bathing.
The shrine at the Yamunotri temple made of black marble is being constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya in the month of May and closes on Yama Dwitiya (the next day of Diwali in November).
The Yamunotri Tour can be experienced completely during the months of May to October and catching the glimpse of the holy shrine is really mind soothing and pacifying.

History

The temple at Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, who is believed to be the mother of humankind, providing them with rich nourishment. Yamuna is also one of the major rivers of India; the part of the three sister rivers that include Ganga and Saraswati too. The temple at Yamunotri was built by Tehri Naresh Sudarshan Shah in 1839, but was severely damaged by an earthquake. In the late 19th century, it was rebuilt by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur. As the story goes, Yamuna is considered the daughter of the Sun (Surya) and Sangya (Goddess of perception) and the sister of Yamraj (God of death). It is for this reason that the importance this river holds good among the Hindus. Asit Muni, a sage, is said to have made this place his abode since he bathed, everyday, in rivers Ganga and Yamuna. It is even believed that during his last days, when he could not travel to the Ganga from Yamuna, a stream of the Ganges originated nearby so that he could continue his rituals.

Facts

Best time to visit-

April to October

Altitude-

3185 m

Languages -

Hindi, English and Garhwali

Attractions

Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.The deity is made of black marble.Yamunotri Temple is at the foot-hill of the Kalind Parvat at the left bank of the Yamuna at an altitude of 3235m in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand.A magnificent water fall drops,more than 2000m from the snow of Bandarpoonch into the valley at this point.A herb claimed to be curative for eye diseases,with chestnuts,walnuts and apricots can be found in abundance in this valley.The Yamunotri temple was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal.

Surya Kund & Gauri Kund

The temple of Yamunotriji is close to two hot springs.Surya Kund has hot boiling water and Gauri kund has tepid water suitable for bathing.The most important among the two is Surya Kund.Some potatoes or pinch of rice tied loosely in a cloth is dipped in the Kund for few minutes,when cooked,is taken home as a ‘Prasad’.Pujaris of Yamunotri temple come from village of Kharsali near Janki Chatti.

Divya Shila

Divya Shila is a pillar located near to the Yamunotri temple and is visited by the devotees before entering the temple itself because as per the religious rituals, the devotees have to make poojas here before entering the temple.

Uttarkashi

It is perched at an elevation of 1,352mts above sea level at a distance of 78kms from Hanuman Chatti. Uttarkashi is a picturesque spot well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. It is situated on the banks of the holy Bhagirathi River. Uttarkashi houses one of the reputed mountaineering institutes of India i.e. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.

Getting there

By Air:

Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradoon is the nearest Airport if flying.

By Rail:

Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar connect Yamunotri with rest of the places in India.

By Road :

The route passing from Barkot and Dehradun is considered most convinient take by road.