Yamunotri Uttarakhand

About Yamunotri

On the western side of Garhwal Himalayas, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, lies the holy place of Yamunotri. About 3,293 metres above the sea level, Yamunotri stands proudly with its enormous mountain peaks, glaciers and gushing waters of Yamuna. River Yamuna, the second most sacred river of India, originates in Yamunotri, making it one of the pilgrimage sites in the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
The venerated goddess Yamuna is said to be the daughter of Sun and twin sister of Yama (the god of death); in Vedas, Yamuna is called Yami (lady of life). A bath in the sanctified waters of Yamuna is said to cleanse all sins and protect from untimely or painful death. Such strong associations in Hindu mythology place Yamuna Devi (goddess) in high ranks of divinity.
On the western side of Garhwal Himalayas, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, lies the holy place of Yamunotri. About 3,293 metres above the sea level, Yamunotri stands proudly with its enormous mountain peaks, glaciers and gushing waters of Yamuna. River Yamuna, the second most sacred river of India, originates in Yamunotri, making it one of the pilgrimage sites in the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
The venerated goddess Yamuna is said to be the daughter of Sun and twin sister of Yama (the god of death); in Vedas, Yamuna is called Yami (lady of life). A bath in the sanctified waters of Yamuna is said to cleanse all sins and protect from untimely or painful death. Such strong associations in Hindu mythology place Yamuna Devi (goddess) in high ranks of divinity.

Yamunotri Temple

The holy abode of Goddess Yamuna is situated near the foot of Kalind Parbat (peak) and on a side of Banderpoonch Parbat. Nestled in the intimidating Himalayas, Yamunotri temple is believed to be constructed by the king of Tehri, Naresh Sudarshan Shah in 1839. One of the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites, the stunning setting of the temple is enough to fill the hearts of the devotees with wonder. Yamuna River jets down from one side of the temple, which houses Goddess Yamuna in the form of a black marble idol. Ganga Devi too finds her place, in white stone, by the side of Yamuna.
The temple of Yamuna closes its portals as winter approaches on Yama Dwitiya (second day after Diwali or on Bhai Dooj). Devi's winter address is Kharsali village where she reaches in a palanquin and will remain for the entire period of winters. On Akshaya Tritiya (occurring on April/May), the goddess comes back to grace Yamunotri again. Both closing and opening ceremonies of the Yamunotri shrine are brought about with celebrations, elaborate rituals and vedic chants.

Best Time to Visit

Yamunotri remains cold almost throughout the year while in summers it becomes a little pleasant. Winters here are too cold, making it difficult for the travelers to explore this place. In the monsoon season, Yamunotri features heavy rainfall again causing a little bit of disruption while journeying to this place. Summer season is considered the best season to witness the true beauty of Yamunotri. If you wish to discover its rare culture, visit this pious place during festivals like Basant Panchami and Phool Devi.
Summers in Yamunotri start in the month of April and end in the month of July. During this season, the temperature ranges between 6°C to 20°C. The beginning of October marks the onset of the monsoons which last till the month of March. The winters are harsh featuring heavy snowfall and the temperature generally hovers between 0 to 5°C and may also go down below -7°C.

Places To Visit

Surya Kund (the pond of the Sun)

Very near to the Yamuna Devi temple there are many hot water springs; the most significant among them is the Surya Kund. It holds the boiling-hot water as it emerges from the crevices in the mountain. People boil rice and potatoes by tying them in a cloth (preferably muslin cloth) and consider them a Prasad (religious offering) from Goddess Yamuna.

Divya Shilla (the divine stone)

It is a reddish-brown rock near the Surya Kund which needs to be worshipped before offering reverence to the main deity, Yamuna maa (mother). According to Skanda Purana, with a mere touch of the sacred rock one can attain spiritual liberation.

How To Reach

By Air

Jolly Grant airport, Rishikesh Road, Dehradun, is the nearest airport to Yamunotri. Hire a cab or get a bus from here.

By Rail

Regular trains to Haridwar and Dehradun are available at all times of the year. Hire a cab or get a bus from here.

By Road

Motorable roads end at Janki Chatti and it is from here that a tough trek measuring up to 6/5 km is initiated till the holy shrine of Yamuna Devi. One can take ponies or palanquins to save oneself the hardships of the journey. Buses and taxis are available from important destinations like Rishikesh, Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Tehri and Barkot.