Yamunotri Dham Temple

Introduction - Yamunotri is a temple in the Uttarkashi. This is the temple of Goddess Yamuna and is 3235 meters above from sea level.

yamunotri dham temple

Location of Yamunotri Dham Temple 

Yamunotri is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state of India. There is a major Hindu shrine at a height of 10000 feet above sea level, connected by road with Rishikesh 210 kilometers, and Dehradun 175 kilometers.

The specialty of Yamunotri Dham Temple

Suryatanya literally means the daughter of Surya Devta means the Yamuna. In the Puranas, Yamuna is called the daughter of Sun. Yamuna, Yama, Shani Dev, and Vaivasvata Manu appeared from the two wives of Surya Dev is called Chhaya and Sangya. Thus the Yamuna is the sister of Yamaraja and Shani Dev. There is a special significance on the Bhaiyaduj or Bhai Dooj to dive into the Yamuna River at  Mathura. The Yamuna first came to the Kalind mountain in the form of a river, hence her name is also Kalindi. The Saptarishi Kund and the Sapt Sarovar are located atop of the Kalind mountain. It is mentioned in the Puranas that among the eight wives (पटरानियों) of Lord Krishna, there is also a beloved wife is Kalindi Yamuna. The oldest temple of Yamuna's brother Shani Dev is in Kharsali. It has been said - All those who come to Yamunottari Dham dives in the holy water of Yamunaji and visit holy Shani Dev temple in the Kharsali at Yamunotri, all their troubles are gone. At Yamunotri, by the touch of Suryakund, Divyashila, and Vishnukund, people are freed from all sins.

Historical aspects

According to a mythological legend, it was the residence of Asit Muni. The present temple was built by Queen Guleria of Jaipur in the 19th century. It has once been destroyed by the earthquake, which was rebuilt. Yamunotri Tirtha is located at a height of 3185 meters in the Rajgadi (Barkot) Tehsil of Uttarkashi district, 251 km north-west from Rishikesh and 131 kilometers north-west of Uttarkashi. The amazing wonder of nature is the release of hot water streams from the rock with the sound like "Om". Between the two rocks in the foothills where there is a source of hot water, there is a shrine of Yamunaji in a narrow place. Actually temperate. The meeting point of temperate water is an actual Yamunotri.

(Yamunottari route) Hanuman Chatti is the last motorway to visit Yamunotri Tirtha. After this, there is a walkway for Narada Chatti, Phool Chatti, and Janki Chatti to Yamunotri. In these three places, the Janaki Chatti is important, because most travelers take the night rest here due to the good arrangement. Some people consider it as Janaki Chatti by the name of Sita, but it is not true. In 1946, a religious woman, Janaki Devi, in the Beef village, to the right of Yamuna built a huge Dharamshala, and then the beef village becomes famous as Janaki Chatti. The temple of Narayana God located in this village. Earlier the route from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri was very scary as a footpath, for the improvement of which to build a 4-mile long road from Kharsali to Yamunotri the Seth Chandmal of Delhi gave 50000 rupees to Maharaja Narendrashah.

The Bhairon Ghati is before then Yamunotri. Where there is a temple of Bhairon. There is the Yagya (यज्ञ) are performed on the banks of the Yamuna and the Yamunottari Mahatmya mention in the Korampurana. There is a special mention of the descent of the Yamuna in Kedarkhand. In Brahmanda Purana Yamunotri is called the "Yamuna Prabhav" pilgrimage. In the Vedas (ॠग्वेद) there is mention of Yamuna. 

According to Mahabharata, when the Pandavas came to the pilgrimage to Uttarakhand, they first came to Yamunottari, then Gangotri then they went journey to Kedarnath-Badrinathji, Since then the journey to Uttarakhand is counterclockwise.

Hemachandra mentioned the Kalender Parvat in his "Kavyanushasana", which is considered to be the category of the source region of Kalindini (Yamuna).

Dabral is of the opinion that the land of Kulindani was probably in the source region of Kalindini. Hence the area of Yamuna Parvatya Upatika (पार्वत्य उपत्यका), which is present-day, Jaunpur, known by the name of Jaunsar, was the district of Kunind in ancient times.

There are many more historical stories about Yamunotri like this. There are many ancient places near the Yamunotri temple which is very beautiful and thrilling and this adventure can be truly experienced by going to Yamunotri Dham temple.

suryakund
Suryakund


Geographical location

One of the four dhams, Yamuna originates from Yamunotri at a distance of just one km. It is very exciting to see the Yamunotri glacier spread at the western end of Bandarpunchh peak which is 6315 meters high. Yamunotri is the first stop for the Char Dham Yatra located in the Uttarkashi district in the western direction of the Garhwal Himalayas. The source of the holy Yamuna river is the Kalindi mountain. Kalindi Mountain is one km away from Yamunotri which is located on a height of 4421 meters. Due to the inaccessible climb, devotees do not see the originating point of the Yamuna river. The main temple of Yamunotri is dedicated to Yamuna Devi. One of the main sources of water is Suryakund which is the source of hot water.

About of Yamunotri Dham Temple

There is a huge rock pillar in the temple courtyard which is known as Divyashila. Yamunotri temple is located at a height of 3235 meters. From May to October, a huge group of devotees comes here. This place remains completely snowy during winters. The last point of the motorway is Hanuman Chatti, whose total distance from Rishikesh is 200 km. Around 14 km from Hanuman Chatti to the temple had to walk on foot, but now Jankichatti can be reached by light vehicles from where the temple is just 5 km.

The temple of Goddess Yamuna was built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The very narrow-skinned Yamuna is ice cold. Due to the precision, lawlessness, and purity of this water of Yamuna, there is a lot of faith and devotion towards the Yamuna in the heart of the devotees. According to Mythology, Asit Muni's hut was at this place. The climb to the temple of Goddess Yamuna is truly inaccessible and thrilling. The skyscraper, attractive icy peaks located side-by-side on the route hypnotize the pilgrims. The greenery of the dense forests around this inaccessible climb does fascinate the mind. Pilgrims traveling by road have to travel 220 km from Rishikesh to Phoolchatti by road. From here, an 8 km climb has to be decided by walking or riding on ponies. From here, palanquin and porter are also easily available on rent for the facilities of the pilgrims.

Yamunotri Dham Temple Opening-Closing times

The doors of the temple open on the auspicious festival of Akshaya Tritiya (April) and get closed on the festival of Deepawali (October-November). In the Summers the weather is pleasant during the daytime and cold during night time. The minimum temperature is 6°C and the maximum is 20°C. The Pilgrimage time is from April to November.

How to reach

  • By Air: The nearest airport to Yamunotri is Jolly Grant Airport which is 210 kilometers away and is well connected to Delhi Airport. Taxi service is available from Jolly Grant Airport to Hanuman Chatti.
  • By Train: Dehradun and Rishikesh are the nearest railway stations of Yamunotri. The distance of Dehradun railway station from Yamunotri is 175 Km and the Rishikesh railway station is 200 Km. Dehradun and Rishikesh both are well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Hanuman Chatti is well connected by motorable roads with Dehradun and Rishikesh. Taxi and bus services are available from  Rishikesh, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, and Barkot and many other destinations to Hanuman Chatti.
  • By Road: Yamunotri is directly not connected with motorable roads from Hanuman Chatti. Hanuman Chatti is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses and Taxis to Hanuman Chatti are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand state like Rishikesh, Dehradun, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Barkot, etc.

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