Yamunotri Temple is dedicated to the river Yamuna, situated in the western region of Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand State. The presiding deity is goddess Yamuna, made of black marble. The temple is dedicated to the Yamuna River, which is depicted in the form of a silver idol, adorned with garlands. Yamunotri is considered the birthplace of the sacred river Yamuna and the second most sacred river after the river Ganga. This temple was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal.
The actual source, a frozen lake of ice and glacier (Champasar Glacier) located on Mount Kalind at an elevation of 4,421 m above sea level, or about 1 km above, is generally uncrowded because it is not accessible; the sanctuary is therefore located at the foot of the hill. Access is extremely difficult and pilgrims, therefore, offer the puja to the temple itself.
Yamunotri is also one of the four sites of Chardham Yatra. It is located at a height of 3,293 meters above sea level. The doors of the temple are opened on Akshaya Tritiya and closed on Yama Dwitiya, which falls on the second day after Diwali.
Near the temple, there are hot springs that flow from cavities in the mountain. Surya Kund is the most important Kund. Near the Suryakund, there is a Shila called Divya Shila, which is worshiped before offering the puja to the deity. Devotees prepare rice and potatoes to offer by submerging them in these hot springs, tied with a muslin cloth. The rice cooked in the hot water spring is taken home as Prasadam.
Yamunotri Temple Timings:
Morning: 6:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Evening: 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Yamunotri Aarti Timings:
Morning Mangala Aarti: 6:30 am
Evening Shayana Aarti: 7:30 pm
Yamunotri Temple History:
According to ancient legend, the sage Asit Muni had his hermitage here. All his life he bathed daily in both the Ganges and the Yamuna. Unable to make it to Gangotri in his old age, a stream from the Ganges appeared in front of Yamunotri for him.
Sangya is the birthplace of the Yamuna in the Champasar Glacier (4,421 m) just below the Banderpoonch Mountain. The mountain adjacent to the river source is dedicated to her father and is called Kalind Parvat, (Kalind being another name for the sun deity – Surya). Yamuna is known for her frivolousness, a trait that she developed because, according to a common story, Yamuna’s mother could never make eye contact with her dazzling husband.
Yamunotri Mandir Trek Route
Pilgrims can reach the temple by walking 13 km from Hanuman Chatti or 6 km from Janki Chatti. Horses and palanquins can be hired. The route of the hike is very scenic with beautiful views of the waterfalls.
There are two hiking trails from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri. There is a path on the right bank of the river that crosses Markandeya Tirth. The other route is on the left bank of the river and passes through Kharsali.
How to reach Yamunotri:
By Air:
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant domestic Airport in Dehradun Which is 210 km.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is Dehradun at 175 km.
By Road:
Buses and Taxis are available from Rishikesh, Dehradun, Tehri, and Barkot to the temple.
Yamunotri Address:
Yamunotri,
Uttarkashi district,
Uttarakhand – 249141.
