Yamunotri Dham

Kajal, 2 months ago, 4 min read, 36 Views

Overview

Yamunotri Dham, the temple dedicated to the goddess Yamuna, is located at a height of about 3,293 meters above sea level in the Western flank of the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. This largely contributes to its location on mountains with huge peaks, wide spread glaciers and water outflows for the goddess. Yamunotri is the source of Yamuna River, which is considered the second most sacred river in India. As such, Yamunotri Dham is one of the pilgrimage destinations of the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

According to legend, the deified goddess Yamuna is the twin sister of Yama, the deity of death, and the daughter of the sun. Yamuna is known as Yami, or the lady of life, in the Vedas. Bathing in Yamuna’s sacred waters is said to wash away all sins and guard against an early or agonizing death. In Hindu mythology, Yamuna Devi, the goddess, is highly esteemed due to these powerful links.

The history of the Yamuna River and its related legends

The source of the Yamuna River is the Yamunotri glacier, which rises to 6,315 meters above sea level and is located slightly below the summit of the Kalind Mountain on a steep slope. Yamuna flows southward in a sequence of waterfalls after falling into Saptarishi Kund from this location. Banderpoonch, a prominent mountain that separates the Yamuna from the Ganges watershed, is situated to the west of the Kalind Parbat in the Garhwal region of central India. Yamuna, often referred to as Kalindi, emerges from Kalind Pass.

Legend has it that in Banderpoonch, after Ravan’s Lanka burned in the cold waters of the Yamuna, Lord Hanuman doused the flames of his tail. The peak is named Bander (monkey) Pooch (tail), or monkey’s tail, for this reason. Yamunotri is said to be the hermitage of the ancient sage Asit Muni according to another account. The Muni could not get to Gangotri in his old age, though he used to bathe in both the Yamuna and the Ganga. A Ganga stream began to run next to the Yamuna stream when he realized what was wrong.

The Yamunotri Dham

The sacred residence of Goddess Yamuna is located on the side of Banderpoonch Parbat and close to the base of Kalind Parbat. Tehri ruler Naresh Sudarshan Shah is credited with building the Yamunotri temple, which is tucked away in the imposing Himalayas, in 1839. One of the pilgrimage locations of Chota Char Dham, the temple’s breathtaking backdrop is enough to astonish devotees. The Yamuna River gushes down from one side of the temple, which is home to the black marble idol of Goddess Yamuna. Alongside the Yamuna, Ganga Devi also finds her spot in the white stone.

On Yama Dwitiya, the second day after Diwali or Bhai Dooj, the temple of Yamuna shutters its doors, signaling the arrival of winter. For the duration of the winter, Devi will spend her time in Kharsali village, where she arrives at on a palanquin. The goddess returns to bless Yamunotri during Akshaya Tritiya, which falls in April or May. Yamunotri temple celebrations, intricate rituals, and Vedic chanting are used to bring about both the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Yamunotri Dham Mythological significance

The sun god’s daughter is the Yamuna River, while Yama’s sister is the god of death. A person who bathes in the Yamuna on the day of Bhaiyajad is supposed to be freed from the Yamtharas. Yaman people also worship this temple. The history of Yamunotri Dham is also documented in the Hindu Vedas, including the Kurmpurana, Kedarkhand, Rigveda, and Brahmand Puran.

Yamunotri is referred to as the “Yamuna Prabhava” pilgrimage. According to legend, the Pandavas visited this location as a destination of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, where the ashram of “Saint Asit” was mentioned in the Mahabharata. Following their journey to Kedarnath and Badrinathji, they first travelled to Yamunotri, then to Gangotri, and finally to Char Dham in Uttarakhand. And the background and renown of the Char Dham Yatra Badrinath shrine!

Architecture of the Yamunotri Dham

The Yamunotri temple is constructed of granite stones. The temple contains a garbha griha and mandap where devotees can pray. The garbha griha houses the black ebony marble deity, which is decorated with garlands. The idol is adorned with wonderful sculptures. The Ganga idol, fashioned of white stone, is placed near the Yamuna idol. The temple’s roof is topped by a conical-shaped tower with red borders. The temple’s steps and blocks are built into the surrounding rocks.

Best time to go to Yamunotri Dham

The best time to visit the Yamunotri temple is from April/May to June and from September to October/November. Due to landslides, floods and other rain-related problems, try to avoid traveling during the monsoon season. Winter is not the best time to visit Chota Char Dham because to the extremely low temperatures and abundant snowfall. Yamunotri is generally always frigid, however in the summers it gets a bit nice.

It is hard for tourists to explore this place during the bitterly cold winters. Yamunotri has intense rains throughout the monsoon season, which can slightly hamper travel to this location. The summertime is thought to be the greatest time of year to experience Yamunotri’s genuine beauty. Visit this holy location during celebrations of Phool Devi and Basant Panchami if you want to learn about its unique culture. Yamunotri is one of the best pilgrimage location in Uttarakhand.

How to reach to Yamunotri Dham?

Conclusion

Yamunotri Dham is visited by hundreds of enthusiasts annually with high devotion and faith in the goddess Yamuna as the reason they go to this holy place. Such a wonderful spiritual experience is created in the Himalayas through the ambiance therein and flowing river Yamuna.

Related FAQs