Temple Travel

Chardham Yatra is one part of Indian culcture and Religion of India.There are four Abodes in Himalayas collectively referred as "Chota Char Dham of India " and popular as "Char Dham Yatra" which includes four holy shrines of Hindus: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. All of these temples are situated within the Garwhal region of Uttarakhand state in North India. These four anciet temples also marks the spiritual source of four sacred rivers as well: River Yamuna (Yamunotri), River Ganga or Ganges (Gangotri), River Mandakini (Kedarnath) and River Alaknanda (Badrinath). Yamunotri Temple , Gangotri Temple, Kedarnath Temple and Badrinath Temple collectively referred to as the Chota Char Dham of Hinduism, these four sites is an important shine for Hindus.Here is Information about Chota Char Dham Temples in Uttrakhand India.

Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri Temple is located at an altitude of 3293 metres above sea level, in the Garhwal Himalaya 40 km away from Barkot Uttarkashi district of the State of Uttarakhand. The first of the four Himalayan dhams, Yamunotri, is in the first of the the pilgrimage to the four dhams begins from here.Yamunotri Temple is the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the Goddess Yamuna. It is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas and located approximately 30 kilometers (19 mi) North of Uttarkashi.Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the Yamunotri Temple in the 19th century. The Yamunotri Temple opens on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. The Yamunotri Temple is dedicated to the river Yamuna also known as Yamuna Devi.

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Gangotri Temple

Gangotri atemple, the origin of the River Ganges and seat of the goddess Ganga, situated in Uttarkashi.The original temple was constructed by the Gorkha General Amar in 18th century. Gangotri temple located at an altitude of 3,200 mts on the left bank of Bhagirathi in Uttarkashi district in Indian state Uttarakhand. The Gangotri Shrine opens on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. Gangotri temple is dedicated to Goddesh Ganga.The Ganges is believed to be the sacred source of purity and sanctity and so before visiting the temple, devotees take a holy dip in this mighty river.A part of Greater Himalayas, Gangotri Temple is blessed to have River Bhagirathi flowing by its side, other than being the origin of river Ganga.

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Badrinath Temple

Badrinath Temple is located at Badrinathdham Chamoli district in the state of Uttarakhand, a height of 3133m above sea level Himalaya Mountain Garhwal Hills on the bank of Alaknanada River ,India. One of the famous shrines of the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, it is the sacred place devoted to Lord Vishnu.Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.Badrinath is a magical blend of divinity and natural beauty.The Kings of Garhwal have built the present structure of the temple. The Lord Badari Narayan carries a Shankh (Conch) in one hand and Chakra in the other. The other two arms rest on the lap in Yogamudra.The opening date of Badrinath Temple is fixed on Basant Panchami by Raj Purohit.It is being believed that the temple was established by Adi Shankaracharaya in the 9th century.

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Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state is elevated at an altitude of 3584 m above the sea level flanking around the river Mandakini. It is considered as the most pious abode of Lord Shiva and is believed that one of the 12 forms of Lord Shiva in the shape of “Jyotirlingas” was dropped at the hills of Mandar where the main temple is located. The opening of date of Kedarnath Temple is fixed and decided on the Shiva Ratri.The temple was being constructed by Adi Shankaracharya and was privileged by the name of King Kedar, the ruler of Satya Yuga.Each year the summer months see thousands heading to make this difficult pilgrimage.

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Location : Yamunotridham,Uttrakhand
Dedicated to :-Goddes Yamuna
Festivals :-Diwali,janmastmi,Diwali,Bhai dooj
Altitude :- 3,235 mts.
Climate :- Summer - Cool during the day and cold at night.
Min 6°C & Max 20°C. Winter - Snow-bound. Touching sub-Zero.
Clothing :- Summer - Light woolens. Winter - Very heavy woolens.
Languages :- Hindi, Garhwali and English
Best Season :- May to June and September to October

The first of the four Himalayan dhams, Yamunotri, is in the Uttarkashi district of the State of Uttarakhand. The pilgrimage to the four dhams begins from here.The Saptarishi Kund (spring) is situated on Kalind Mountain, 1kilometre above Yamunotri. It gets filled with water from the Yamunotri glacier and is the source of the Yamuna River. Because of its origin from the Kalind Mountain, Yamuna is also called Kalindi.

Yamunotri Temple, Uttarakhand is built at the foot of Kalinda Parvata (14,505 feet) and is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, the river Goddess. The temple of Yamunotri was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal during the 19th century on the left bank of river Yamuna. The deity of Yamuna is carved from black stone and there is also a deity of Ganga Devi, who is White. The source of the river Yamuna is Yamunotri which originates from the Champasar Glacier, located on the Kalind Mountain at the height of 4421 m above sea level. This is a difficult trek and so the pilgrims offer pooja at the temple itself.

History of Yamunotri Temple

According to the Hindu Puranas, Yamuna is the consort of Lord Shri Krishna. It is believed that the river first went round Shri Krishna before flowing down to earth as per the order of her Lord. The river came to be called as "Kalindi" as she touched the peak of Kalind. Then she flowed down the hills and reached the plains at Khandav Vana, which has been developed as Delhi city now.

Yamuna and Yama (Lord of Death) are believed to be the children of Lord Surya, the Sun God. Hence it is considered that taking a dip in the holy waters of the source stream of Yamuna is relieved of a painful death.

Sight Seen Yamnoutri Temple

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.

Janki Chatti :-It’s 5 km from Yamunotri, it is noted for it’s thermal springs , where tourists can enjoy a refreshing bath.

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.

Saptarishi Kund Lake :-This kund is situated 10 kms away from yamunotri. This is the actual place where Yamuna rises and an extremely difficult journey covered with ice. The water of the glaciers gathers in this lake. On the banks of the lake are naturally carved slate stones. The rare Brahma Lotus grows here. It is a beautiful picnic spot as well.

How to Reach Yamunotri Temple

By Road :- Yamunotri is connected by a motorable road with Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Dehradun, Hardwar and other hill stations of Garhwal. Some important road distances are Rishikesh (230Kms), Haradwar(260 Kms).

By Train :- Rishikesh (213 Km) and dehradun (172 km) are the two railheads.

By Air :- Jolly Grant is the nearest Airport, 196 km from Yamunotri via Dehradun.