Information about Yamunotri
Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the goddess Yamuna, is one of the four sites in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage. The temple of Yamunotri falls on the left bank and was originally constructed by Maharaj Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The shrine of Yamunotri is one of the “four dhams” of Uttaranchal Yamunotri temple is Situated in the direction opposite to Gangotri and the road bifurcates and goes to Yamunotri from Dharasu, a place between Rishikesh – Uttarkashi. Another 55 km away is Barkot, affording a fabulous view of the Banderpunch Range. Barkot is also approachable by road directly from all the major cities in India.
Near the temple are three hot springs. The most important, Surya Kund, is a tank full of boiling water into which rice and potatoes are dipped to be cooked and taken as “prasad”. Near the Kund, a rock slab, the “Divya Shila” is worshipped before puja is offered to the black marble idol of Yamuna.
One has to reach at actual temple of yamunotri only by a six kilometer walk from Hanuman chati.
Description of the Temple:-
Yamuna temple is devoted to the godess Yamuna (River). The temple of Yamuna is on the left bank of Yamuna constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal This temple was built in the 19th century by a descendent of the Jaipur royal family. It is said that this temple was destroyed twice by landslides and was reconstructed again in the 20th century. Inside the temple is an idol of Goddess Yamuna carved in black stone that is mainly worshipped.
Place to see/visit/excursion at Yamunotri Dham:-
Surya Kund :- Surya Kund is the most important and sacred thermal spring of Yamunotri amongst the cluster of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple which flows into numerous pools. The pool is named after Surya or the sun god, the father of Yamuna. It has a temperature of almost 190 Degree F. Pilgrims tie rice and potatoes in a cotton cloth, and immerse it in the water to be cooked. The water is so hot that the prasad gets cooked within no time.
Divya Shila :- < A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple.
Hanuman Chatti :- It’s 13 km from Yamunotri. The confluence of Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers,from where the trek to Dodi Tal (3,307mt)starts.Route:Rishikesh-Barkot -Hanumanchatti-Yamunotri. Hanumanchatti -Darvatop -Dodital-Agora-Uttarkashi- Rishikesh.Porters and ponies are available at Hanumanchatti.Rates are fixed by District Magistrate before the start of every Yatra season.
General Information About Yamunotri:
Altitude : 3165
Summer: Max. 20 deg.C.
Min. 6 deg.C .
Winter : Max. Sub-Zero
Min. Snowbound
May to July : Light woollen
Sept. to Nov.: Heavy woolens
Langauage/Dialects : Hindi, English & Garhwali .
Best Season : May to June and September to October .
Map: