History, Importance, Timings and Travel Guide of Yamunotri Temple – Source of Yamuna – Char Dham, Uttarakhand
Yamnotri Temple dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, one of the most sacred River of India, is situated in western region of Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Yamnotri Temple is about 3,293 meters above the sea level, which stands proudly with massive mountain peaks, glaciers and spouting waters of Yamuna. The Yamuna is considered as second most sacred river of India after River Ganges which originates from Yamunotri and is part of pilgrimage sites in the Chota Char Dham Yatra Uttarakhand along with Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. Yamunotri has a shrine dedicated to goddess Yamuna and was built by king of Tehri, Naresh Sudarshan Shah in 1839. The idol of Goddess Yamuna is made of black marble. There are few hot water springs near Yamunotri and Surya Kund is the most important kund. Where devotee can even prepare rice and potatoes in hot water spring. Shila near the Surya Kund is called Divya Shila, which is worshipped before puja is offered to the deity. A bath unsanctified waters of Yamuna is said to cleanse all sins and protect from an untimely or painful death.
Yamunotri temple Darshan open on sacred day “Akshay Tritiya” generally falls in end of April or first week of May, which is the beginning of Char Dham Yatra and Closed on Diwali falls on October or November. Along with Yamunotri temple, Saptarshi Kund, Surya Kund, Hanuman Chhatti, Snanchhatti are other important place which attracts the devotee and adventure lover as trekking as well.
As per the legends, the Yamuna who is daughter of Sun and the twin sister of Lord Yamaraj - the God of death in Vedas, the Yamuna is called Yami -the lady of life. Hindu mythology has placed Yamuna Devi in high ranks of divinity. The Yamuna coming out of Kalind Parvat is also known as Kalindi. Lord Hanuman doused the fire of his tail after burning Ravana's Lanka in chilly waters of Yamuna at Banderpunch hence the peak is called BanderPunch, Monkey's tail.
Yamnotri can be reached by air, Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun is the nearest airport to Gangotri and Rishikesh is the nearest railways station with regular trains. Buses and taxis are available from important destinations like Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Tehri, and Barkot which end at Janki Chatti. From Janki Chatti tough trek measuring up to 6 km is initiated till the holy shrine of Yamuna Devi. To save hardships of the journey one can hire ponies, palakies.
