| Yamunotri Temple | |
|---|---|
 Yamunotri temple and ashrams | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Uttarkashi |
| Deity | GoddessYamuna |
| Location | |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| Country |  India |
  Location in Uttarakhand Show map of Uttarakhand Location in India Show map of India | |
| Coordinates | 31°1′0.12″N78°27′0″E / 31.0167000°N 78.45000°E /31.0167000; 78.45000 |
| Architecture | |
| Creator | Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal |
| Completed | 19th century |
| Elevation | 3,291 m (10,797 ft) |
| Website | |
| [1] | |
Yamunotri Temple is aHindu temple, situated in the western region of Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3,291 metres (10,797 ft) inUttarkashi district,Uttarakhand,India.[1] It's just 129 km fromUttarkashi, the main district headquarters. The temple is dedicated toGoddess Yamuna, and has a black marble idol of the goddess.[2]
The actual temple is only accessible by a 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) trek from the town ofHanuman Chatti and a 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) walk from Janki Chatti; horses orpalanquins are available for rent. The hike fromHanuman Chatti to Yamunotri takes in views of a number of waterfalls. There are two trekking routes from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri; the one along the right bank proceeds via theMarkandeya Tirth, where the sageMarkandeya wrote theMarkandeya 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.[3]
Yamunotri temple has a shrine dedicated to the goddessYamuna.[4] The temple has been destroyed twice by snow and floods before being rebuilt.[2][5] It is located on the backdrop ofBandarpunch.[6] The temple is part of the reveredChar Dham pilgrimage circuit.[7]
The temple opens onAkshaya Tritiya (May)[8] and closes onYama Dwitiya (the second day after Diwali, November) for the winter.[9] A little ahead is the actual source of the riverYamuna, 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, whileGauri Kund has tepid water suitable for bathing[3] The spring water is said to be hot enough to cook rice and potatoes.[10] Lodging at the temple itself is limited to a few smallashrams and guest-houses. Ritual duties, such as the making and distribution ofprasad (sanctified offerings) and the supervision ofpujas (ritual venerations), are performed by the Uniyal family ofpujaris (priests). Unique aspects of ritual practice at the site include hot springs, where raw rice is cooked and made intoprasad.
11.Yamunotri Temple History In HindiArchived 4 August 2020 at theWayback Machine
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