Yamunotri Temple History | Origin of River Yamuna

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Yamunotri is one of the popular Hindu temples located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Yamunotri Dham is located at a height of 3,323 meters above sea level. Today in this article, we have shared all the Yamunotri Temple History and legends about the formation of the sacred Yamunotri Dham.

Yamunotri is surrounded by 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.

Yamunotri gets its name from the famous River Yamuna dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. The place is famous not only because of the temple but also because of its natural scenic beauty.

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 sacred shrine of Yamunotri, the 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 the Goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs at Janki Chatti.

History of Yamunotri Temple

Ancient & Vedic History of Yamunotri Temple

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

Surya and Sangya were blessed with 3 children, Manu, Yam (Yamraj), Yami (Yamuna).

After the birth of 3 children, Sangya, who was tainted by the radiance of Surya, left her shadow there and went to North Kuru to do penance.

Sangya is the birthplace of the Yamuna in the Champasar Glacier (4,421 m) just below 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).

The 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.

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”

Notable Legend 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.

History of Other Char Dham Temples

Who Built Yamunotri Temple?

It is known from the 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.

Explore Yamunotri…

Priests of Yamunotri

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

According to historian Shiv Prasad Naithani, around 1855, when Sudarshan Shah built a small temple at Yamunotri, the ancestors of these priests, Maluram Poluram, were entrusted with the task of worshipping this temple. Earlier the idol was in the cave.

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