Chardham Yatra

History of Yamunotri

Yamunotri, the source of theYamunaRiverand the seat of the goddess Yamuna, is one of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage.

Yamunotri is the derivation of river Yamuna. The place is as well connected with Yamaraj, God of death. A bath in the water of Yamuna at Yamunotri is supposed to alleviate a person of an excruciating death. Yamunotri is located on 3233 mt tall mountain in Uttarkashi district of Uttaranchal.

It is said that rivers in Hindu mythology have been measured comparable to mother. These rivers carry lushness to the land, and helps in expansion and development of the existing creatures on earth. Yamuna, one of the holiest rivers of Hindus, is one such greatly revered rivers of India. It is among the major rivers of India and covers a vast geographical widen in north India. Yamunotri is said to be the sister site of Gangotri, as Ganga and Yamuna are considered sisters. The temple of Yamuna was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur, in nineteenth century. It got shattered by a foremost quake in 1923, and was later rebuilt, before again getting damaged in 1982. The temple residue closed from November to May, due to important snowfall.

The temple is devoted to Yamuna, one of the sacred rivers of Hindus. The temple preserves a silver idol of Yamuna, bejeweled with garlands. Yamuna is daughter of Surya, the Sun, and Sangya, the Goddess of perception. Yamaraj, the god of death, is brother of Yamuna. It is therefore considered holy to take a bath in Yamuna river. According to a myth, Asit Muni, a respected sage, used to reside here.

Culture and Tradition

The holy shrine of Yamunotri, foundation of the river Yamuna, is the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, perched atop a border of Bandar Poonch Peak (3615 m) and located reverse to Gangotri. Yamunotri is very famous for its glaciers and this holy place is one of the most significant halt on the journey of the Hindu pilgrim. Asit Muni used to exist here according to the legends.

Yamunotri finds a particular mention in the Hindu mythology. Among the main attractions of Yamunotri are hot water springs nearby. Devotees prepare rice and potatoes to offer at the shrine, by dropping them in these hot water springs, tied in muslin cloth. The trek to Yamunotri is stunning, conquered by a panorama of rough peaks and dense forests.

From Rishikesh, a 213kms. journey by road takes one to Hanuman Chatti. From here, the remaining 13 kms. trek is covered on foot or on ponies. Palanquins and Porters are also available on hire. The rishi at Yamunotri perform various kinds of pujas and offerings to river Yamuna for pleasing her and seeking the blessings.

Famous Attractions-Yamunotri

Yamunotri is the religious place devoted to Goddess or River Yamuna. It is nestled in the picturesque Himalayan mountain ranges that take you to a memorable tour or scenic Yamunotri. After all, every visitor goes on a holiday for attaining the peace and soulful satisfaction.

The Temple

The temple located close to the thermal springs is devoted to Goddess Yamuna. It was built up in 1839 by Tehri Naresh Sudarshan Shah. However, since the place is extremely prone to earthquakes, the temple got damaged several times. It was built again in 19th century by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur. Even after that, the temple has been modernized and renovates pretty a few times. Inside the temple, there is a statue of Goddess Yamuna imprinted in black stone that is mainly worshipped.

Surya Kund

Close to the temple is this hot water spring called Surya Kund, Surya or Sun being the mythological father of Yamuna. People not just revive here but also formulate prasada for contribution. Some potatoes or rice with a pinch of salt are tied in a muslin cloth and curved in the spring for few minutes, from where they come out boiled. And after being available to the deity, they are taken home as prasada. The temperature of the springs is as high as 88 degrees. The attendance of a boiling water spring bounded by snow capped peaks reinforces one's faith in the divinity of the place.

Divya Shila

This is a stone that is worshipped prior to entering the temple.

Saptarishi Kund

This is the foundation of Yamuna but being a slight difficult to access; few people go there and most proffer their prayers in the temple itself. A twelve kilometer tricky trek route will take you to Saptrishi kund. A normal glacial kund, the trek up to Saptrishi kund eases out approximately the bottom of Kalinda Parvat. Dark blue waters, slate stones on the banks and a rare variety of lotus adorning the water, Saptrishi Kund is a sight to behold. The trip to Saptrishi Kund needs you to be acclimatized for at least one day at Chardham Yatra - Yamunotri and a steer to take you.

Religious places near Yamunotri

The holy shrine of Yamunotri (3,165 m) is inclusive in the ‘Char Dham circuit’ beside with Gangotri, Kedarnath Ji and Badrinath Ji. It is the place from where originates River Yamuna, one of the mainly holy rivers in the Hindu mythology. The shrine has the temple which stands in promise to goddess Yamuna.

Yamunotri Temple

Devotees come to Yamunotri to pay a visit to the Yamunotri Temple , the main throng puller at the shrine. Worshipping goddess Yamuna is supposed to sluice people of the belongings of their malevolence deeds and convey good destiny in life.

Surya Kund

Situated in the neighborhood of the Yamunotri Temple is a numeral of thermal springs. These hot springs unfilled into numerous pools. Surya Kund carries the mainly implication between all the thermal springs situated slam to the shrine.

Hanuman Chatti

The place lies at 13 km from Yamunotri shrine. Hanuman Chatti marks the point where coalesce River Ganga and River Yamuna. A large number of trekkers are noticed here. It is from Hanuman Chatti that the very scenic Dodital trek begins.

Reaching the Pilgrimage Site

The contiguous domestic airport from Yamunotri is the Jolly Grant Airport, positioned in Dehradun. If you are approaching by rail route, Rishikesh the bordering link. By road, Yamunotri remains healthy associated with places like Rishikesh, Gangotri, Chamba, Barkot and Tehri amongst others.

Significance of Yamunotri

Hovering amidst extensive Garhwal Hills, Yamunotri is one more respected pilgrim spots in the state of Uttrakhand. It is one of the Char Dham in India and holds immense spiritual significance. Yamunotri is the source of sacred river Yamuna and also the residence of goddess Yamuna. It is well-known for its thermal springs, glaciers and scenic locales. In fact, it is one of the must stopover places from travel and tourism spot of sight.

According to Hindu legends, this hilly spot was some time ago the abode of an ancient sage by the name, Asit Muni. Outstanding to its renowned meaning, thousands of devotees visit this silent yet hustling-bustling pilgrimage place. It is supposed that a sacred dip in the holy water of river Yamunotri here alleviates everyone from a sore death. This is because she is the sister of Yama, the God of Death. As a consequence, pilgrims visit the place to seek the blessings of Yamuna and put away them from the agony of death.

After all, every person wants to stay away from the reverence of death and worships Goddess Yamuna by offering various kinds of things to please her and seek the blessings.