Yamunotri is one of the very sacred places of Pilgrimage in Sanaatan (Hindu) Religion. It is one of the Chaar-Dhaam Yatra in Uttarakhand. The other three are Gangotri, Kedarnaath and Badrinaath.
The sacred shrine of Yamunotri, source of the river Yamuna, is the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, perched atop a flank of Bandar Poonch Parvat. The chief attraction at Yamunotri is the temple devoted to goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs at Jankichatti (14 km. Away).
The actual source a frozen lake of ice & glacier (Champasar glacier) located on the Kalind mountain at the height of 4421 m above sea level, about 1 km further up, is not frequented generally as it is not easily accessible and hence the shrine has been located on the foot of the hill. That approach is extremely difficult and pilgrims therefore offer pooja at the temple itself.
The temple of Yamuna is on the left bank of Yamuna river constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The deity is made of black marble. The Mother Goddess Yamuna like Mother Goddess Ganga has been held responsible for nurturing and developing the Indian civilization.
Close to the temple are hot water springs gushing out from the mountain cavities. Suryakund is the most important Kund. Near the Suryakund there is a shila called Divya Shila, which is worshipped before puja is offered to the deity. Devotees prepare rice and potatoes to offer at the shrine by dipping them in these hot water springs, tied in muslin cloth. Rice so cooked is taken back home as prasadam.The pujaris of Yamunotri come from the village of Kharsali near Jankichatti. They are the administrators of the sacred place and perform religious rites well versed in Shastras. They belong to the Uniyal family of priests. Unique aspects of ritual practice at the site include the hot springs where raw rice is cooked and made into Prasad.
The temple of Goddess Yamuna is a full day's journey from Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun, Then it is accessible by a 14 km walk from the town of Janki Chatti.
The motorable road to Yamunotri continues till Jankichatti via Saayanchatti, Ranachatti and Hanumanchatti, 50 km. from Barkot. From Jaankichatti it is a 14 km. trek to Yamunotri for which ponies, dandies and kandies are also available.
Yamunotri is at 3291 meters (11,500 feet) height from sea level. River Yamuna emerges from the peak of Yamunotri and comes down. All tour managers generally give a night halt here to enjoy the lovely environment. Yamunotri temple also remains open from April to October every year, and remains closed during the remaining period due to severe winter.
History and Legends
According to the legend sage Asit Muni had his hermitage here. All his life, he bathed daily both in Ganga and Yamuna. Unable to go to Gangotri during his old age, a stream of Ganga appeared opposite Yamunotri for him.
The temple and the place opens every year on the auspicious day of the akshya-tritya, which generally falls during the last week of April, or the first week of May. The temple always closes on the sacred day of Diwali mid- Oct. - 1st week of Nov., with a brief ceremony, the temple staff return to their villages and for the rest of the time the valley is gripped in no man silence and covered with white sheet of snow. With melting of snow next summer, temple re-opens to blissful happiness of thousands of visitors again.
Yamuna is said to be the daughter of the Sun god, Surya and consciousness, Sangya. The mountain adjacent to the river source is dedicated to her father, and is called Kalinda Parvat. Yamuna is also called by the name of Kalindi. Kalinda being another name of Surya. Yamuna is known for her frivolousness, a trait that she developed because as per a common story - Yamuna's mother could never make eye contact with her dazzling husband.
Yamuna is the twin sister of Yama, the Lord of Death. It is believed that anyone who bathes in her waters will be spared a torturous death. Yamuna is also the daughter of Surya the Sun.
Places to visit in and around Yamunotri
Surya Kund
There are a number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple which flows into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund.
Divya Shila
A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple. Origin of the Shila is not known. But this holds a place of reverence in the rituals in and around Yamunotri, since time immemorial.
JaankiChatti
It is noted for it's thermal springs , where tourists can enjoy a refreshing bath.
Hanumanchatti
The confluence of Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers,from where the trek to Dodi Tal (3,307mt)starts.Porters and ponies are available at Hanumanchatti.
Saayanchatti
It is a scenic spot on the bank of river Yamuna.
Chamba
Situated at an elevation of 1,524 mt,it is a picturesque place commanding a panoramic view of the Himalayas. Road from here bifurcates for Mussoorie, New Tehri and Rishikesh.
Best Time to visit Yamunotri
The best time to visit Yamunotri is between May-June and September-November. Due to heavy rainfall in the area, visitors may face difficulty reaching the temple during monsoon season (late June to Aug). The temple usually remains open from last week of April to 2nd week of November.
Climate
Summer: Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter: Snow-bound. Touching sub-zero.
Clothing
Summer: Light Woollens. Winter: Very Heavy Woollens.
How to reach Yamunotri
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant.
Rail: Nearest railhead is at Rishikesh.
Road: The road to Yamunotri diverts from Rishikesh-Gangotri road at Dharasu.
Haridwar - Rishikesh = 24 KM
Rishikesh - Narendra Nagar = 12 KM
Narendra Nagar - Chamba = 48 KM
Chamba - Dharasu = 57 KM
Dharasu - Barkot = 54 KM
Barkot - Saayan Chatti = 28 KM
Saayan Chatti - Hanuman Chatti = 7 KM (Motorable road is till Hanuman Chatti)
Hanuman Chatti - Jaanki Chatti = 9 KM
Jaanki Chatti - Yamunoti = 5 KM
Total 224 KM from Haridwar.
Beyond Yamunotri
Doditaal: Literally meaning the Dodi Lake, is at an elevation of 3024 m north of Uttarkashi. Crystal clear waters are surrounded by dense oak woods, pine, deodar and rhododendrons. The lake is full of fish and is known for some rare species like the Himalayan Golden Trout. The trek from Dodital to Hanumanchatti via Darwa Top takes two days, moves on to the upper reaches of the Garhwal Himalayas in Yamunotri, the place where the sacred river Yamuna originates from
The sacred shrine of Yamunotri, source of the river Yamuna, is the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, perched atop a flank of Bandar Poonch Parvat. The chief attraction at Yamunotri is the temple devoted to goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs at Jankichatti (14 km. Away).
The actual source a frozen lake of ice & glacier (Champasar glacier) located on the Kalind mountain at the height of 4421 m above sea level, about 1 km further up, is not frequented generally as it is not easily accessible and hence the shrine has been located on the foot of the hill. That approach is extremely difficult and pilgrims therefore offer pooja at the temple itself.
The temple of Yamuna is on the left bank of Yamuna river constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The deity is made of black marble. The Mother Goddess Yamuna like Mother Goddess Ganga has been held responsible for nurturing and developing the Indian civilization.
Close to the temple are hot water springs gushing out from the mountain cavities. Suryakund is the most important Kund. Near the Suryakund there is a shila called Divya Shila, which is worshipped before puja is offered to the deity. Devotees prepare rice and potatoes to offer at the shrine by dipping them in these hot water springs, tied in muslin cloth. Rice so cooked is taken back home as prasadam.The pujaris of Yamunotri come from the village of Kharsali near Jankichatti. They are the administrators of the sacred place and perform religious rites well versed in Shastras. They belong to the Uniyal family of priests. Unique aspects of ritual practice at the site include the hot springs where raw rice is cooked and made into Prasad.
The temple of Goddess Yamuna is a full day's journey from Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun, Then it is accessible by a 14 km walk from the town of Janki Chatti.
The motorable road to Yamunotri continues till Jankichatti via Saayanchatti, Ranachatti and Hanumanchatti, 50 km. from Barkot. From Jaankichatti it is a 14 km. trek to Yamunotri for which ponies, dandies and kandies are also available.
Yamunotri is at 3291 meters (11,500 feet) height from sea level. River Yamuna emerges from the peak of Yamunotri and comes down. All tour managers generally give a night halt here to enjoy the lovely environment. Yamunotri temple also remains open from April to October every year, and remains closed during the remaining period due to severe winter.
History and Legends
According to the legend sage Asit Muni had his hermitage here. All his life, he bathed daily both in Ganga and Yamuna. Unable to go to Gangotri during his old age, a stream of Ganga appeared opposite Yamunotri for him.
The temple and the place opens every year on the auspicious day of the akshya-tritya, which generally falls during the last week of April, or the first week of May. The temple always closes on the sacred day of Diwali mid- Oct. - 1st week of Nov., with a brief ceremony, the temple staff return to their villages and for the rest of the time the valley is gripped in no man silence and covered with white sheet of snow. With melting of snow next summer, temple re-opens to blissful happiness of thousands of visitors again.
Yamuna is said to be the daughter of the Sun god, Surya and consciousness, Sangya. The mountain adjacent to the river source is dedicated to her father, and is called Kalinda Parvat. Yamuna is also called by the name of Kalindi. Kalinda being another name of Surya. Yamuna is known for her frivolousness, a trait that she developed because as per a common story - Yamuna's mother could never make eye contact with her dazzling husband.
Yamuna is the twin sister of Yama, the Lord of Death. It is believed that anyone who bathes in her waters will be spared a torturous death. Yamuna is also the daughter of Surya the Sun.
Places to visit in and around Yamunotri
Surya Kund
There are a number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple which flows into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund.
Divya Shila
A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple. Origin of the Shila is not known. But this holds a place of reverence in the rituals in and around Yamunotri, since time immemorial.
JaankiChatti
It is noted for it's thermal springs , where tourists can enjoy a refreshing bath.
Hanumanchatti
The confluence of Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers,from where the trek to Dodi Tal (3,307mt)starts.Porters and ponies are available at Hanumanchatti.
Saayanchatti
It is a scenic spot on the bank of river Yamuna.
Chamba
Situated at an elevation of 1,524 mt,it is a picturesque place commanding a panoramic view of the Himalayas. Road from here bifurcates for Mussoorie, New Tehri and Rishikesh.
Best Time to visit Yamunotri
The best time to visit Yamunotri is between May-June and September-November. Due to heavy rainfall in the area, visitors may face difficulty reaching the temple during monsoon season (late June to Aug). The temple usually remains open from last week of April to 2nd week of November.
Climate
Summer: Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter: Snow-bound. Touching sub-zero.
Clothing
Summer: Light Woollens. Winter: Very Heavy Woollens.
How to reach Yamunotri
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant.
Rail: Nearest railhead is at Rishikesh.
Road: The road to Yamunotri diverts from Rishikesh-Gangotri road at Dharasu.
Haridwar - Rishikesh = 24 KM
Rishikesh - Narendra Nagar = 12 KM
Narendra Nagar - Chamba = 48 KM
Chamba - Dharasu = 57 KM
Dharasu - Barkot = 54 KM
Barkot - Saayan Chatti = 28 KM
Saayan Chatti - Hanuman Chatti = 7 KM (Motorable road is till Hanuman Chatti)
Hanuman Chatti - Jaanki Chatti = 9 KM
Jaanki Chatti - Yamunoti = 5 KM
Total 224 KM from Haridwar.
Beyond Yamunotri
Doditaal: Literally meaning the Dodi Lake, is at an elevation of 3024 m north of Uttarkashi. Crystal clear waters are surrounded by dense oak woods, pine, deodar and rhododendrons. The lake is full of fish and is known for some rare species like the Himalayan Golden Trout. The trek from Dodital to Hanumanchatti via Darwa Top takes two days, moves on to the upper reaches of the Garhwal Himalayas in Yamunotri, the place where the sacred river Yamuna originates from
