Yamunotri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. The temple is situated in the Uttarkashi district of the state of Uttarakhand. It is located at an altitude of 3,293 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas. Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River. It is the first stop of the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand.
| Yamunotri Temple | |
|---|---|
| Temple Timings | 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm |
| Aarti Timings | 6:30 am and 7:30 pm |
| Opening Date | 7-May-2019 (Akshaya Tritiya) |
| Closing Date | 29-October-2019 (Bhai Dooj) |
| Time Taken for Darshan | May and June: 4 hours. July-October: 1 hour |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Best Time to Visit | May to October |
| Registration | Bio-metric registration in Rishikesh |
| Nearest Airport | Dehradun |
The temple opens on the day of Akshaya Tritiya which usually occurs in May. It closes on Yama Dwitiya which falls on the 2nd day after Diwali. After that, the temple staff return to their villages. A white sheet of snow covers the valley for the next 6 months. During this time, the idol of the goddess is kept at Shani temple, Kharsali.
Champasar Glacier is the actual source of the Yamuna river. It is located on the Kalind Mountain at a height of 4,421 meters, 1 km above the temple. The road to the glacier is extremely difficult for people to reach. Hence the shrine has been located at the foot of the hill. Pilgrims, therefore, offer pooja at the temple itself.
What are the timings of Yamunotri Temple?
Here are the timings of Yamunotri temple:
| Timings | 6:00 am to 12:00 pm (Morning) 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Evening) |
|---|---|
| Opening Date | 7-May-2019 (Akshaya Tritiya) |
| Closing Date | 29-October-2019 (Bhai Dooj) |
| Aartis | 6:30 am (Morning Aarti) 7:30 pm (Evening Aarti) |
Various pujas are performed in Yamunotri temple for goddess Yamuna. Mangala Aarti is performed in the morning while Shayana Aarti is performed in the evening daily. Pujas are performed by pujaris who are the administrator of the place.
What is the history of Yamunotri Temple?
There seems to be confusion as to who built the temple. According to beliefs, the temple was originally built by Sudarshan Shah, the king of Tehri. Rani Guleria later rebuilt the temple in the 19th century. The history also has connections with sage Asti Muni. He used to take bath daily in both the Ganga and the Yamuna river.
Various Puranas mention that taking bath in Yamuna river washes away all the sins. It opens the door to heaven for pilgrims. The Yamuna has the status of a divine mother for the Hindus. Rice cooked in the hot water spring of Surya Kund is meant as a spiritual cleanser.
What is inside the temple?
In architectural terms, the temple is constructed in the Nagar style. It is built with granite stones collected from the surrounding mountains. The temple has a main conical shaped minaret under which the Goddess Yamuna presides.
The temple has a black marble idol of the goddess. The idol is made of polished ebony marble with detailed carvings. The idol shows her sitting on a turtle. It is the same representation of Goddess Yamuna in ancient scriptures. A white stone idol of Goddess Ganga also stands beside her.
What to wear while going Yamunotri?
Yamunotri temple is situated in the cold valleys. The weather is cold throughout the year. Rainfalls and snowfalls often occur there. Hence, one should wear proper winter clothes with mufflers and gloves. An umbrella is also must to carry.
There is a lack of oxygen on the hills too. Hence, people having short breath should also carry the necessary things with them.
What are the festivals celebrated here?
Some of the festivals celebrated at Yamunotri temple are:
- Basant Panchami – It indicates the arrival of spring as well as the end of the winters. The festival starts with various cultural programs. Common people perform poojas and make offerings to the goddess. People also wear yellow colored dresses on this day as per custom.
- Phool Dei – This festival occurs on the first day of March. Young girls and children of the community visit their neighboring homes. They gift each other flowers, rice, and coconut. People consider it as a goodwill gesture.
- Olgia – This unique festival occurs in August. It celebrates the harvesting season and rich agricultural produce. It is also popular as the Ghee Sankranti. People decorate their forehead with ghee. Later they consume Dal & Chappatis with ghee.
How to reach Yamunotri Temple?
- Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. It is 210 km away from the temple.
- Train: The nearest railway station is Dehradun (175 km).
- Road: Buses are available from Rishikesh, Dehradun, Tehri, and Barkot to the temple.
Pilgrims can reach the temple by a 13 km (8.1 mi) trek from Hanuman Chatti or a 6 km (3.7 mi) trek from Janki Chatti. Horses and palanquins are available for rent. The trek route is very scenic with beautiful views of waterfalls.
There are also two trekking routes from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri. One route lies on the right bank of the river goes via Markandeya Tirth. The other route lies on the left bank of the river goes via Kharsali.
Where to stay near Yamunotri Temple?
Some of the places where one can stay near Yamunotri temple are:
- Yamunotri Cottages: This cottage in Yamunotri offers breakfast facility to its guests. It has a good air-conditioner and a spacious wardrobe. They also provide television connection and direct-dial phones. Doctor-on-call facility is also available. Bathrooms have 24 hour supply of hot and cold running water.
- Durga Resort: It has 12 well-maintained and spacious guestrooms. Durga Resort also has facilities of luggage storage and parking area. Room service and laundry services are also available for each room.
- Hotel Classic Hill View: The hotel has 24 rooms. It provides bottled drinking water to its guests. Spacious wardrobe, attached washrooms, and heating arrangements are available for each room.
What are some of the temples nearby?
Some of the temples near Yamunotri temple are:
- Lakhamandal: This historic place is located 71 km away from Yamunotri. This place holds significance in the great Mahabharata epic. Devotees believe that Duryodhana built this palace for Pandavas. He planned to kill the Pandavas by burning the palace to the ground.
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttarkashi: It is one of the most sacred temples in Uttarakhand. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is present on the banks of river Bhagirathi. It is also one of the Char Dham Yatra destinations. The Shiva lingam here is 56cm in height and tilted towards south.
- Shani temple: The temple is located in the town of Kharsali. The temple is dedicated to the God of Saturn (Shani Devta). The temple is an old three-storey structure. Shani resides in the uppermost floor of the shrine. He is the brother of Goddess Yamuna. This is also the place where Goddess Yamuna stays during the winter months.
- Laxminarayan Temple: The temple is located at Barkot. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Devotees believe that the Pandavas built this temple.
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