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Yamunotri
Yamunotri is one of the major pilgrimage sites of the Chhota Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand. Yamunotri, one of the most sacred rivers of Hindu religion, originates from the Yamunotri, located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Apart from Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath are other pilgrimage sites of Chhota Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand.
The Yamuna is one of the most sacred and revered rivers of Hinduism, and in the Puranas and Hindu scriptures, Yamuna is described as the daughter of the Sun God. According to the Puranas, children named the Yamuna, Yama, Shanidev and Vaivasvata Manu are born from two wives named Chhaya and Samnya of Lord Surya.
It is believed that the river Yamuna was the first to descend on the earth from the Kalind mountain, that is why this river is also called by the name of Kalindi. Saptarishi Kund and Sapt Sarovar situated near Yamunotri are situated on the Kalind mountain itself.
It has also been mentioned in many Puranas of the Hindu religion that Kalindi is also one of the eight wives of Lord Krishna. Yama and Shani Dev are considered to be the brothers of Yamuna. The ancient temple of Shanidev, brother of Yamuna, is built in Kharsali, located near Yamunotri.
History of Yamunotri
Yamunotri Temple was built in 1919 by Maharaja Pratapshah of Tehri Garhwal. Situated in Yamunotri, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, which is considered one of the most sacred rivers of Hinduism. Shortly after the construction of the temple, a severe earthquake caused a lot of damage to the main temple.
The work of rebuilding the temple which was damaged in the earthquake was done by Maharani Guleria of Jaipur. The origin of the Yamuna River is Champasar Glacier, situated on Kalind Parvat at an altitude of 4421 meters (14505 ft) above sea level. According to mythological beliefs, Yamunotri is also considered to be the abode of Asit Muni.
Yamunotri has been described in many mythological texts and Puranas related to Hinduism. Special mention is seen on the descent of Yamuna in Kedarkhand. The importance of Yamunotri has been specially mentioned in Kurma Purana, Rigveda and Brahmanda Purana. In many Puranas, the Yamuna river is also called Yama Sahodara and Suryaputri.
Apart from this, Ganga and Yamuna have also been addressed as sisters in many Puranas. After the war of Mahabharata, when the Pandavas had come for pilgrimage in the Himalayan mountains, they first saw Yamunotri. And after that, he visited Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. For this reason, Yamunotri is also considered the first pilgrimage site of the Chota Chardham Yatra.
The mention of Kalind mountain and Kalindi river is found in “Kavyanushan” written by Hemchandra. According to a book named Mahamayuri, Duryodhana had authority in the area around the river Yamuna. Duryodhana is still worshipped in the vicinity of Yamunotri.
Apart from this, evidence of the existence of Saka and Yavana settlements has also been found in the areas located around the banks of river Yamuna. In a way, you can say that Yamunotri and its surrounding area is important from both mythological and historical point of view.
There are also many hot water springs around Yamunotri, of which Taptkund is the most famous. Tapt Kund is also known as Suryakund at present. Surya Kund has situated just a short distance from the temple. Of all the hot water springs in Yamunotri and Garhwal region, Suryakund is the hottest.
The average temperature in Suryakund is 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Apart from this, one more thing, the sound emanating from this hot water spring makes this pool different from other hot water sources. Devotees who come here boil rice and potatoes in this Suryakund and offer prasad to the temple.
Gaurikund has been built at a short distance from Suryakund which is much bigger than Suryakund. The water of Surya Kund is released in Gaurikund so that devotees coming to Yamunotri can take bath in Gaurikund.
The distance of Saptarishi Kund from Yamunotri is 07 kilometres, it is believed that Saptarishis did penance near this pool, due to which this pool is called Saptarishi Kund. The path from Yamunotri to Saptarishi Kund is considered very inaccessible.
Geography of Yamunotri
Yamunotri, the first pilgrimage site of Chhota Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand, is only 3293 meters (10803 feet) above sea level. Many major peaks of the Himalayas are visible from Yamunotri, the most thrilling of which produces the Yamunotri Glacier, visible from the end of the western part of the Bandarpunchh mountain.
The main water source of Yamunotri is Kalindi Parvat which is situated at an altitude of 4421 meters (14504 feet) above sea level. The center of attraction in Yamunotri is the Yamuna temple dedicated to the goddess Yamuna, and the hot water pool located around this temple. Suryakund is the most famous of all the hot springs of water here.
Architecture of Yamunotri Temple
In 1885, the Yamunotri temple dedicated to Goddess Yamuna was built at this place by King Sudarshan Shah of Garhwal. Raja Sudarshan Shah used most of the wood in the construction of the Yamunotri temple. The present form of the temple you are seeing today has been built by Pratap Shah, the king of Garhwal.
A deity made of black marble stone of Goddess Yamuna has been established in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Goddess Yamuna is worshipped in the temple with full rituals. In this temple, residents do Pind Daan to their ancestors, it is believed that by donating Pind here, the soul of the dead person attains salvation.
There is also a huge rock pillar in the temple complex which is known as Divya Shila.
Yamunotri Temple Opening Date 2022
Yamunotri temple is situated at an altitude of 3293 meters above sea level, and this place receives a lot of snowfall during the winter season. Due to excessive snowfall, reaching Yamunotri temple becomes inaccessible during the winter season. Because of this, the Yamunotri temple remains open for devotees only for six months a year.
Yamunotri temple opens for devotees from the last week of April or the first week of May. And after that from the last week of October to the first week of November, it remains open for the devotees to visit.
According to the Hindu calendar, the doors of the temple are opened for the devotees on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. This year, the doors of the Yamunotri temple will be opened for the devotees on 03 May 2022.
Yamunotri Temple Closing Date 2022
Like other temples of Chhota Chardham Yatra, the Yamunotri temple also closes for six months during the winter season for the devotees. And after that in the summer season, it reopens for the devotees to visit. Every year in the last week of October or the first week of November, the doors of Yamunotri temple are closed for six months.
According to the Hindu calendar, the doors of the Yamunotri temple are closed after Bhaiya Dooj which comes after Diwali. After the closure of the doors of Yamunotri temple, the doli of Goddess Yamuna is taken to the nearby village of Kharsali, where Goddess Yamuna is duly worshipped for the next six months.
You can say that Kharsali village is the winter seat of Goddess Yamuna. No announcement has been made so far to close the doors of Yamunotri temple in the year 2022.
Yamunotri Temple Aarti Timings
Yamunotri temple remains open for devotees from 06:00 am to 12:00 noon. And after that from 02:00 in the afternoon to 08:00 in the night, it remains open for the devotees to visit.
The timing of Mangala Aarti of Goddess Yamuna at Yamunotri Temple is at 06:30 and Shayan Aarti timing is at 07:00 at night.
Local Food in Yamunotri
Along with being a famous religious place, Yamunotri is also a part of the famous Chhota Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand. Because of this, you will easily find restaurants and eateries of North Indian and South Indian food in Yamunotri.
Apart from this, you can also enjoy the permanent food of Uttarakhand here.
Hotels in Yamunotri
Being a famous religious tourist destination, Yamunotri is easily accessible for the stay of pilgrims, hotels, Dharamsala, guest houses and resort facilities. There are many Dharamshalas built in the vicinity of Yamunotri, apart from this you will also get hotel facilities a few kilometres before the temple.
If you want, you can book a room in the hotel for yourself with the help of an online hotel booking website or app. Apart from this, if you are travelling with a group or travel agencies to Chhota Chardham, then those people keep a room in the hotel or Dharamshala booked for you in advance.
Places To Visit Near Yamunotri
Surya Kund, Janki Chatti, Hanuman Chatti, Kharsali, Shanidev Temple and Divya Shila.
How to reach Yamunotri
How To Reach Yamunotri By Air
The nearest airport to Yamunotri is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. The distance from Jolly Grant Airport to Yamunotri is just 210 km. Due to being situated in the middle of the dense mountains of the Himalayas, there is no direct road to Yamunotri.
You can reach Hanuman Chatti from Jolly Grant airport with the help of a taxi out after that you can reach Yamunotri by trekking 14 km. Apart from this, you can easily reach Yamunotri from Dehradun with the help of a helicopter. Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun is well connected to the major airports of the country.
How To Reach Yamunotri By Train
The nearest railway station to Yamunotri is Haridwar and Rishikesh railway station. The distance from Rishikesh railway station to Yamunotri is just 216 km and from Haridwar railway station to Yamunotri is 226 km.
You can reach Hanuman Chatti from Haridwar or Rishikesh with the help of a bus and taxi, after that you can reach Yamunotri after trekking 14 km. Haridwar and Rishikesh railway stations are well connected to major cities of India by rail.
How To Reach Yamunotri By Road
Being situated in the middle of inaccessible mountains, you cannot reach Yamunotri by road. To reach Yamunotri, you have to first reach Hanuman Chatti and after that, you can reach Yamunotri by trekking 14 km on foot.
For Hanuman Chatti, you will get a regular bus and taxi service from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Barkot and Tehri. Apart from this, you can also reach Hanuman Chatti with the help of your vehicle.
Note: – At present, a paved road has been made from Hanuman Chatti to Janki Chatti. Here you can reach Janki Chatti with the help of small vehicles. The distance from Jankichatti to Yamunotri is just 05 km.
Dehradun To Yamunotri Distance – 210 KM
Rishikesh To Yamunotri Distance – 216 KM
Haridwar To Yamunotri Distance – 226 KM
Uttarkashi To Yamunotri Distance – 126 KM
Delhi To Yamunotri Distance – 488 KM
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