Updated May 26, 2023
About Yamunotri Temple
India’s major religious and sacred temples are largely in Uttarakhand. The Chardham Yatra in India features four major temples Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri Temple.
The Uttarkashi district has the Yamunotri Temple on the western side of the Garhwal Himalayas. As the Yamuna River encircles, the shrine devotees spend long hours praying for Goddess Yamuna. Other than religious importance, people love traveling to this serene place for natural beauty and trekking purposes.
Background & History
Many tales are associated with the construction of the Yamunotri Temple. The reconstruction of this temple happened several times due to the worst climatic conditions. According to historical data, Maharaja Sudarshan Shah constructed this temple with wood in 1850. A few other gods worshiped in this temple, along with Ma Yamuna. Later, Maharani Guleria from Rajasthan made the historic Yamunotri temple in the nineteenth century. Hence, find Maharani’s stories finely written on this temple’s walls.
Magical Tale Of Yamunotri Temple
Based on an ancient myth, a renowned sage named Asit Muni used to stay beside the Yamunotri Temple. He used to bathe in the holy water of Yamuna every day and worshiped the goddess. One day he could not visit the river due to his illness. That night he experienced the presence of Yamuna in his dreams. According to Hindu mythology, Yamuna is the sister of Yama( death god) and daughter of the Sun God (Surya). The important fact related to this temple is the Yamuna River plunge guards against the premature mortality of devotees.
Architecture
The solid black granite stone is behind the architecture of the whole temple. The architectural detailing on the walls of Yamunotri temple is remarkable. This temple further includes two sections; Mandap and Garbha Griha. On the walls, the representation of different gods and goddesses took beautifully. In addition to the image of Yamuna, a white marble sculpture of Ganga is present. The construction of this sculpture is to show the standing deity of Ganga. A cone structure with crimson outlines is current at the temple’s summit.
Significance Of Yamunotri Temple
Here are some importance of Yamunotri temple that amazes travelers;
- Temple represents the fundamental building block of the holy river Yamuna.
- The Champasar glacier, a frozen glacier, is the river’s natural essence. A Kund or Pond known as the Sapta Rishi Kund originates from this spot.
- The mountain and scenic view near this temple attract several tourists every year. Despite of difficulty in trekking, travelers love to go mountaineering here.
- Brahma Kamal, a mystical flower, appears just once a year from the end of June to August. Again, this flower has mythological value among Hindus. According to people, Lord Krishna resides in the white stamen, while the stalks of this flower represent the Kaurava brothers.
What to do in Yamunotri Temple and nearby areas?
#1 Holy Places
Visit the following holy spots in and around this Temple;
- Surya Kund is a geothermal beauty fountain adjacent to the renowned Yamunotri temple. This spring’s temperature is approximately 1900 °F. The preparation of the main prasad of this temple includes this spiring’s fresh water.
- Before approaching the main temple, there is a mystical stone structure called Divya Shila, also recognized as a slab of heavenly light.
- A gorgeous place that provides breathtaking natural sights is the Saptrishi Lake. The Yamuna River’s wellspring is this lake, which has bluish-grey clear water and a sandy beach shore. People also visit here to get views of Brahma Kamal.
- This Hanuman temple or Hanuman Chatti is at a distance of around 12-13km from Yamunotri temple. The surrounding of this mandir is a dense forest. However, the roads are smooth here and are ideal for trekking.
#2 Photography
Exploring the villages adjacent to the temple by taking nature photos of the majestic Himalayan Peaks, wild plants, and stunning landscapes is a fantastic idea.
#3 Trekking
Visitors love camping and trekking around the beautiful mountain areas near Yamunotri Temple. The trekking road to reach the temple is full of hard rocks. However, trekkers feel proud and enjoy trekking here.
Final Thoughts
To get salvation and spiritual and religious experience, one should take the chance to travel the four dhams in India. The majestic beauty and the grand architecture of the Yamunotri temple will tempt you to spend long hours over here. Visiting this temple is best in the month of May-November.
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