THE YAMUNOTRI GODDESS TEMPLE IN (UTTARAKHAND), INDIA
About Yamunotri Temple ::- Yamunotri Temple Is Situated In The Western Region Of Garhwal Himalayan At An Altitude Of 3,291 Meters(10,797 Ft) In Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand. It's Just 129 Km From Uttarkashi, the Main District Headquarter. The Yamunotri Temple Is A Full Day's Journey From Uttarakhand's Main Town. The Actual Temple Is Only Accessible By A 13 Kilometers (8.1 Mi) Trek From The Town Of Hanuman Chatti And A 6 Kilometers (3.7 Mi) Walk From Janki Chatti.
The Temple Is Dedicated To Goddess Yamuna And Has Black Marble Idol Of The Goddess. Yamunotri Temple Has A Shrine Dedicated To The Goddess. There Is Also An 18th- Century Temple At Gangotri, It Was Built By Garhwal Naresh Pratap Shah, 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. There Are Two Trekking Routs From Hanuman Chatti To Yamunotri, The One Along The Right Bank Proceeds Via Markendeya Tirth, Where The Sage Markendeya Wrote The Markendeya 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.
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 Meters (14,505 Ft) Approximately. Two Hot Springs Are Also Present At Yamunotri Offering Relief To Tired hikers At A height Of 3,292 Meters (10,801 Ft) Surya Kund, Has Boiling Hot Water, While Gauri Kund, Had Tepid Water Suitable For Bathing. Lodging At The Temple Itself Is Limited To A few Small Ashrams And Guest Houses. The Hike From Hanuman Chatti To Yamunotri Takes In Views Of A Number Of Waterfalls. Horses Or Palanquins Are Available For Rent. 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 Pujas(Priests).
According To The Ancient Legend, Sage Asit Muni Had His Hermitage Here. All His Life, He Bathed Daily Both In The Ganges And The Yamuna. Unable To Go To Gangotri During His Old Age, A Stream Of The Ganges Appeared Opposite Yamunotri For Him. Sangya Is The Birthplace Of The Yamuna In The Champasar Glacier Just Below The Benderpoonch Mountain.
How To Go ::- Yamunotri Is Directly Not Connected With Motorable Roads And The Trek. Hanuman Chatti Is Well Connected By Motorable Roads With Major Destinations Of Uttarakhand State. Buses And Taxis Are Easily Available From Here.
By Train ::- The Nearest Railway Station Is Rishikesh And Dehradun, Which Are Situated 175 km And 200 Km From Yamunotri.
By Air ::- Jolly Grant Airport Is The Nearest Airport To Yamunotri Situated At A Distance Of 210 kms. Helicopter Service Are Also Available Till Yamunotri From Dehradun.
When To Go ::- Best Time To Visit Yamunotri Is Between May To November. People Visit This City And Find A Pleasant Atmosphere Throughout The Year. Winter Season Yamunotri Snowfalls As Temperature Falls Below 0 Degree.