Char Dham Yatra 2023: The Legend Of Yamuna From Yamunotri, Uttarakhand

Add as a preferred source on Google

Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage, starts at Yamunotri, continues to Gangotri and then to Kedarnath and then ends up at Badrinath. Devotees can walk their way or ride a palki or pony to reach the Temple from Janki Chatti, which is a steep trek that takes 3 hours to complete.

Daughter of the Sun, and sibling of Yama,, the Yamuna river cleanses all sins and eliminates the chances of untimely death if a holy dip is taken in it.

Origin Of Yamuna River

According to Hindu scriptures, although Yamunotri is known as the origin of the sacred Yamuna River, it is the Saptarishi Kund, situated 10 km from the temple, which is its original source .On the western side of Garhwal Himalayas, in the Uttarkashi district, lies the most revered pilgrimage centre, of Yamunotri, about 3,293 metres above the sea level. River Yamuna, which is also the second most sacred river of India, is famous for its thermal springs and glaciers, and is known to originate from the Champasar Glacier, which is located below Banderpoonch peak. Yamuna was born with a fickle mindset because her mother was unable to gaze directly at Sun as his rays were scorching.. So she was restless in Sun's presence, a trait which Yamuna inherited.

Yamuna cascades downwards from the Kalind peak to Saptarishi kund and thereafter splits into several tributaries. Bandar poonch mountain separates the waters of Yamuna from the Ganges River and Yamuna is also called Kalindi as she emerges out of Kalinda parbat.

Associated Legends

As per a legend, it was here that Lord Hanuman doused his tail in the Yamuna river to soothe and cure it which is why it is named as Bandar Pooch, the monkeys tail.A tributary of Ganges flows beside Yamuna due to a specific reason as per another legend. Rishi Asit used to take bath in both Yamuna and Ganga but when he became old and infirm and unable to take bath anymore in Ganga, a tributary of Ganga changed her course to suit the Maharish's convenience and started flowing along with Yamuna.

When Was It Built?

Situated near the mountainous ranges of Kalind and the Banderpoonch, the shrine of Yamunotri, situated on the left bank of River Yamuna, was first built in the early 19th century. The temple was damaged during earthquakes and then again rebuilt by Ruler of Garhwal in late 19th century. Goddess Yamuna and Goddess Ganga, are seen as Black and white Marble idols which are installed side by side.

Due to its location on high altitude, Yamunotri Dham remains avaialble to the pilgrims for only short period of six months. The temple of Yamuna closes the second day after Diwali. Yamuna is carried in a palki to Kharsali village where she spends the entire winter. She is ushered back to her temple on Akshaya Tritiya.

Disclaimer: The information is based on assumptions and information available on the internet and the accuracy or reliability is not guaranteed. Boldsky does not confirm any inputs or information related to the article and our only purpose is to deliver information. Kindly consult the concerned expert before practising or implementing any information and assumption.