Yamunotri Yatra

17 Facts About Yamunotri

Yamunotri is one of the famous Hindu temples located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Yamunotri Temple is located at a height of 3,323 meters above sea level. Today we have shared 17 facts about Yamunotri temple that will amaze you for sure.

The Yamuna is surrounded by mountains on all sides and lies in close proximity to the China border. Yamunotri, the origin of the River Yamuna and seat of the goddess Yamuna, is one of the four sites in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.

The chief attraction at Yamunotri is the temple devoted to the Goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs at Janki Chatti.

Facts About Yamunotri

1. Char Dham Pilgrimage Site of Uttarakhand

Yamunotri, the origin of the River Yamuna and seat of the goddess Yamuna, is one of the four sites in the Uttarakhand Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. It is also known as the “Chota Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand”.

Complete Travel Guide

2. Origin of River Yamuna

Yamunotri Glacier is believed to be the place of origin of Goddess River Yamuna at a height of 6,387 meters (20,955 ft), near the Banderpunch peaks in the Lower Himalayas, and is dedicated to goddess Yamuna.

3. In the Lap of the Himalayas

Yamunotri is surrounded by beautiful mountains on all sides and lies in close proximity to the Indo-China border. It is known for offering peace and tranquillity to its visitors.

4. Heavy Snowfall – Facts About Yamunotri

Like other “Chota Char Dham of Uttarakhand,” Yamunotri remains closed for 6 months in the winter season and opens for 6 months only in the Summer season.

The reason for closing in the winter season is heavy snowfall in the Himalayan region which makes weather conditions extremely cold and also the whole area is covered by a thick layer of snow.

5. Legends about Yamunotri – Facts About Yamunotri

According to mythological beliefs, there was once the ashram of Asit Rishi. He used to visit the Yamuna regularly till the origin of the Yamuna.

When he became incapacitated in old age, it became impossible for him to reach the source of Yamuna. Impressed by the faith of Asit Rishi towards himself, Yamuna changed its flow and started flowing near his ashram.

Pleased with the grace of Yamuna, the sage built his temple there and started worshiping Goddess Yamuna. That holy place was called Yamunotri and became the main pilgrimage of Goddess Yamuna.

6. Bhai Dooj – Facts About Yamunotri

According to Skanda Purana, Yami (Yamuna) pleased brother Yama (Yamraj) by fasting on “Kartik Shukla Dwitiya” which is also called “Yama Dwitiya”.

Later that day was celebrated as the festival of “Bhai Dooj”

7. Daughter of Sun – Facts About Yamunotri

According to mythological literature, Kashyap and Aditi’s son Surya, who was married to Sangya, daughter of Vishwakarma.

From the Sangya, he got 3 children, Manu, Yam (Yamraj), and Yami (Yamuna). That’s why the Yamuna is a daughter of the Sun in Hinduism.

8. Deity of Goddess Yamuna

If you entered the temple of Yamunotri then the prominent deity is certainly Goddess Yamuna.

Apart from Goddess Yamuna, there are many other deities also. The idols of Goddess Ganga and Saswati are revered in the temple pride.

9. History of Yamunotri Temple

It is known from historical observation that the first temple of Yamunotri was built by Maharaja Sudarsan Shah (1815-1859) in 1850, which was made of wood at that time. The idol of Goddess Yamuna was installed in this temple by him.

Earlier this pilgrimage place had only a few idols placed on the altar. In later years, the new construction of the temple was done by Maharaja Pratapshah (1871-1896) and was built with stones.

This temple was demolished twice in the 19th century and again the present construction of this temple was done by Maharani Guleria of Jaipur.

History of Char Dham Temples

10. Bandarpunch Mountain – Watershed for the Yamuna

Bandarpunch Mountain is a major watershed for the headwaters of the Yamuna River, whose source lies above Yamunotri, on the west end of the massif below White Peak.

Bandarpunch mountain range has 3 peaks. To the west above Yamunotri is White Peak (6102 m), Bandarpoonch Peak (6316 m) in the east, and Kalanag (6387 m) in the northeast, also known as Black Peak.

The sacred Yamunotri Temple is nearby the source of the river Yamuna, perched atop a flank of Bandarpunch Mountain (Bandar Poonch Parvat).

11. One of the most Sacred Rivers in India

The Yamuna is one of the seven Sacred rivers and the five Great Rivers of India.

Ganges River (गंगा नदी)
Yamuna River (यमुना नदी)
Indus River (सिंधु नदी)
Saraswati River (सरस्वती नदी)
Godavari River (गोदावरी नदी)
Narmada River (नर्मदा नदी)
Kaveri River (कावेरी नदी)

12. Winter Residence of Goddes Yamuna

Kharsali village situated at a distance of just 2 km from Janki Chatti in Yamunotri Road is a must-visit place. Most travelers are deprived of seeing this wonderful place due to a lack of information.

Kharsali, the last village of Yamunotri Valley, is also called the “mother’s house of Goddess Yamuna”. When the doors of the temple are closed on the day of “Bhai Dooj” in Yamunotri, the winter idol of Goddess Yamuna is installed in the ancient temple “Sameshwar” of Kharsali village. Here the Goddess Yamuna is worshiped throughout the winter.

13. Hanuman Mandir

Lord Hanuman’s temple is situated in the form of a cave near Yamunotri temple.

There is a legend about Lord Hanuman visiting this place. There are idols of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Goddess Yamuna, and Lord Hanuman situated in the cave temple.

14. Surya Kund – Sacred Fact of Yamuna

Surya Kund is situated near the temple. In which hot water resides. The temperature of this pool is estimated to be around 90 degrees Celsius.

Tourists cook rice and potatoes in this hot water and take it lovingly as a prasad of Yamuna.

15. Priests Facts About Yamunotri

The priests of Yamunotri are householders Brahmin of the Uniyal caste.

According to historian Shiv Prasad Naithani, around 1855, Garhwal King Sudarshan Shah rebuilt a small temple at Yamunotri. At that time the ancestors of these priests, Maluram Poluram, were entrusted with the task of worshipping this temple.

Earlier the idol remains in the cave before the formation of the temple.

16. River Yamuna also Known as “Kalindi”

In ancient times, the “Western Bhaahu Mountain” has been called “Kalindi Parvat”, due to which the name of Yamuna is also famous as “Kalindi”.

17. Starting Point of Chota Char Dham Yatra.

Yamunotri is considered the starting point of the Chota Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand. According to local people, Chota Char Dham Yatra starts from Yamunotri Temple. The right visiting order of temples in Chota Char Dham Yatra is as follows;

Lastly, in the list of Facts about Yamunotri, we have one more bonus point you must know and it is Janki-Chatti.

Janki Chatti is a basecamp for the trek to Yamunotri temple. It is located at a height of 2,650 meters above sea level. Janki Chatti is also famous for its hot water springs and beautiful waterfalls and it makes it an inevitable part of the Yamunotri pilgrimage.

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