Yamunotri Dham Yatra:
On the western side of the Garhwal Himalayas, in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, is the holy place of Yamunotri. The source of the river Yamuna, Yamunotri is also one of the four sites of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
Yamunotri is situated at an altitude of 3293 meters above sea level and is located in Uttarkashi district. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides and is located near the Indo-China border. It is known to provide peace and tranquility to its visitors.
Bandarpoonch mountain is at an altitude of 6315 meters and is located to the north of Yamunotri. Yamunotri is at a distance of 236 km from Rishikesh, 21 km from Sanya Chatti, 278 km from Dehradun and 176 km from Chamba.
Story behind Yamunotri Temple:
There are many legends associated with the Yamunotri temple. According to religious legends, Goddess Yamuna is the daughter of Sun God and Saranyu (goddess of consciousness) and sister of Yama, the god of death.
Thus people believe that worshiping at Yamunotri will bring them the blessings of not only Goddess Yamuna, but also of her father Surya Dev, her mother Saranyu and her brother Yama.
Devotees never forget to take a dip in the holy Yamuna river water as they feel that by doing so they will be able to get rid of death or fear of death. The mountain adjacent to the origin of Yamuna river is named after Surya Dev, the father of Yamuna Devi. It is named as Kalind Parvat because the Sun God is also known as 'Kalind'.
Another legend tells that the ancient sage Asita Muni lived his ascetic life in this region. Every day he bathed in both the river Ganga and the river Yamuna. Being old, he could no longer travel to the river Ganges. To allow them to continue their bathing ritual uninterrupted, a stream of the river Ganges also emerged opposite to it, close to the Yamuna.
In the year 1839, the Tehri King, Raja Sudarshan Shah built the Yamunotri Temple in honor of Goddess Yamuna. However, the temple was badly damaged by a severe earthquake. Jaipur Maharani Guleria initiated the reconstruction and restoration of the temple and thus the new and present temple of Yamunotri came into existence in the late 19th century.
Mysteries of Yamunotri Dham:
1. According to the Skanda Purana, Yamuna pleased her brother Yama (the god of death) by fasting on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. This day is also known as 'Yam Dwitiya' and later it is celebrated as the festival of 'Bhai Dooj'.
What to see in Yamunotri Dham?
1. Yamunotri Temple:
Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, the Yamunotri Temple is situated in the Western Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of about 3,291 metres. The second most sacred river of India, the Yamuna River originates from Yamunotri. Therefore, the Yamunotri temple is one of the four Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
The majestic mountain, the hot and cold water springs of Surya Kund and Gauri Kund respectively, and the beautiful flow of Yamuna River provide a serene environment around the Yamunotri Temple.
2. Janki Chatti:
Janki Chatti, situated at an altitude of 2,650 meters above sea level, is known for its hot water springs. Janaki Chatti comprises the last village in the area and serves as a major center for pilgrims traveling to Yamunotri.
The thermal springs of Janaki Chatti act as an essential part of the Yamunotri pilgrimage. Ponies and palanquins are available at Janaki Chatti. Janki Chatti is surrounded by mountains on all sides and is situated close to the Indo-China border.
3. kharsali:
The untouched village of Kharsali in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand is also known as 'Khushimath'. It is situated at an altitude of 2,675 meters above sea level.
The small village of Kharsali has a religious significance as it is the winter seat of Goddess Yamuna. Since the Yamunotri temple becomes inaccessible in winters due to heavy snowfall, the deity is brought here for worship.
4. Shani Dev Temple:
Shanidevi Temple, situated in the slums of Kharsali in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, is considered to be the oldest temple of Shani Dev. Situated at an altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level in Kharsali, Shani Dev Temple is the winter seat of Goddess Yamuna.
5. Divya Shila:
Divya Shila, also known as the 'Slab of Divine Light', is a sacred stone or pillar located near Yamunotri and Surya Kund. Devotees visiting the Yamunotri temple have to worship the divine rock before entering the temple premises.
6. Saptarishi Kund:
Saptarishi Kund is considered to be the origin of Yamuna river. Saptarishi Kund situated at an altitude of 4421 meters is considered to be the origin of Yamuna river.
With its misty blue waters, pebbly banks and rare displays of the Brahma Kamal, Saptarshi Kund is a delightful sight to behold. Before you visit Saptarshi Kund, it is essential that you stay for a day in Yamunotri to acquaint yourself with the climatic conditions of the region.
7. Surya Kund:
Surya Kund is a hot water spring located near the Yamunotri Temple. This thermal spring gets its name from the river Yamuna which according to Hindu mythology is believed to be the child of Surya or God.
Surya Kund serves as a holy place as it is situated in the vicinity of the Yamunotri temple.
8. Hanuman Chatti:
13 km from Yamunotri, the confluence of Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers, from where the trek to Dodi Tal (3,307mt) begins.
The six-hour climb through luscious meadows and woody hills provides a sheer pastime while enjoying the heady aroma of Himalayan shrubs.
9. Barkot:
It is a small town situated on the way to Yamunotri, just 49 km from Yamunotri. It is one of the ancient temples in Barkot and is ideal for meditation.
10. Bali Pass Trek:
At a distance of 9 km from Yamunotri, the Bali Pass Trek is one of the least explored treks in the Indian Himalayan region that connects Har Ki Doon Valley to Yamunotri. It is one of the best and toughest trek in Uttarakhand.
The Bali Pass is located in the Garhwal Himalayan region at an altitude of about 4,800 m and was an old route from the Tons River Valley to the Yamuna River Valley. It continues to attract trekkers during the monsoon season when the snow melts and the pass is accessible. Due to the smaller gradient, the pass is more accessible than the Har ki Doon valley.
How to reach Yamunotri Dham?
By Air:
The nearest airport to Yamunotri is Jolly Grant Airport, which is approximately 210 km from Yamunotri. Daily flight services are available to Delhi from this point. Thereafter taxis can be availed to reach Hanuman Chatti, from where the trek to Yamunotri begins. One can avail helicopter service to reach Yamunotri and such services are available from Dehradun.
By Train:
Railway connectivity is only till Rishikesh, after that you will have to avail private taxis or buses plying on the route. You will also get shared jeeps or similar vehicles from Haridwar or Rishikesh. The nearest railway stations are at Haridwar, Dehradun, Kotdwar and Kathgodam.
By Road:
The best route to Yamunotri is via Dehradun and Barkot. If you are coming from Haridwar-Rishikesh then the road to Yamunotri diverges at Dharasu bifurcation point. Yamunotri is well connected to Haridwar, Dehradun, Chamba, Tehri, Barkot, Hanuman Chatti and Janki Chatti.
