Yamunotri Temple is situated in the western region of Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of
3,291 metres (10,797 ft) in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The temple
is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and has a black marble idol of the goddess. The
Yamunotri temple is a full day's journey from Uttarakhand's main towns —
Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun. The actual temple is only accessible by a 13
kilometres (8.1 mi) trek from the town of Hanuman Chatti and a 6
kilometres (3.7 mi) walk from Janki Chatti; horses or palanquins are
available for rent. The hike from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri is very
picturesque with beautiful views of a number of waterfalls. There are two
trekking routes from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri, the one along the right bank
proceeds via the Markandeya Tirth, where the sage Markandeya wrote the
Markandeya Purana, the other route which lies on the left bank of the river
goes via Kharsali, from where Yamunotri is a five or six hours climb away.
History
Yamunotri temple has a shrine dedicated to the
goddess. There is also an 18th-century temple at Gangotri, it was built by Amar
Singh Thapa, it was damaged and re-innovated in the 19th century. The temple
has been destroyed twice by snow and floods before being rebuilt. It is located
on the backdrop of Bandarpunch. The temple is part of the revered Char Dham
pilgrimage circuit.
Temple and vicinity
The temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya (May) and
closes on Yama Dwitiya (the second day after Diwali, November) for the winter.
A little ahead is the actual source of the river Yamuna which is at an altitude
of about 4,421 metres (14,505 ft) approximately. Two hot springs are also
present at Yamunotri offering relief to tired hikers at a height of 3,292
metres (10,801 ft), Surya Kund, has boiling hot water, while Gauri
Kund, had tepid water suitable for bathing. The spring water is said to be
hot enough to cook rice and potatoes.Lodging at the temple itself is limited to
a few small ashrams and guest-houses. Ritual duties such as the making and
distribution of prasad
(sanctified offerings) and the supervision of pujas (ritual venerations)
are performed by the Uniyal family of pujaris (priests). Unique aspects
of ritual practice at the site include hot springs where raw rice is cooked and
made into prasad.
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