The pious place of Yamunotri is part of the popular Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. This sacred place is also the original site of the beautiful River Yamuna. Thus, when you come here you will be greeted by the roaring river, frozen glaciers, and mountain peaks that will surely take your breath away. The Yamuna is also the second holiest river in India, right after Ganga, making this place a favorite among pilgrims and devotees. You will usually find pilgrims coming here during the Summer season, as soon as the temple reopens after its hiatus in the winter months.
Yamunotri also has a stunning temple and views that will capture your heart and heal your soul, making this the perfect place for a relaxing getaway.
The beauty of Yamunotri is truly unparalleled, and you will find yourself lying on the laps of nature as you approach the little Yamunotri temple, standing proudly on the mountain.
As the name suggests, the Yamunotri temple is devoted to Goddess Yamuna and is located at an altitude of 10,804 feet above sea level.
This shrine is situated at the westernmost part of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Opening Date of Yamunotri Dham
The Yamunotri temple closes down in the winters since it is rendered inaccessible during this time. The Goddess is shifted to the Kharsali village during this time so that the rituals are continued without any interruptions.
Once the snow slowly starts to melt away, the divine Goddess will once again take her throne back at Yamunotri- usually on Akshaya Tritiya (April/May).
Both the opening and closing ceremonies are worth watching and worth attending. Pilgrims throng Yamunotri to watch these ceremonies, which are filled with rituals and Vedic chants.
The opening dates and closing dates of the Yamunotri Temple are as follows:
Opening Date: 14 May 2022 (Tentative Date).
Closing Date: 30 Nov 2022 (Eve of Bhai Dooj).
A Little Folklore
Goddess Yamuna is actually the daughter of Sun and the sister of Yama- who is the God of Death. The Yamuna is extremely pious and pure in the Hindu religion and is often known as Yami, which means lady of life. Devotees believe, that taking a dip in her waters will wash away all the sins and help one attain moksha.
Legends say that Lord Hanuman put off the fire that was burning his tale in the cold waters of Yamuna. Lord Hanuman had doused his tail on fire to burn the city of Lanka, after which he needed to put off the fire burning his tail.
Since then, the peak that houses the Yamuna is called Banderpooch, or monkey’s tail.
The Yamunotri Temple
The regal Yamunotri Temple is located at the foothills of Kalind Mountain. This lovely temple is flanked by the imposing Himalayas on all sides, making it look even more royal and alluring. Historians believe that this temple was constructed by the King of Tehri in 1839.
The beauty of this temple lies not in what’s inside, but the sight outside the temple. The gushing water of The Yamuna River occupies one side, as the beautiful river just thunders down from one side of this temple, giving it a gorgeous look. The location of this temple is so divine, that Sage Asit Muni himself used to come down here to take a dip in the sacred waters of the Yamuna River.
Some stories also claim, that the sage used to take a dip in both Ganga and Yamuna, however, during his old age he was unable to do so. Thus, the pious Yamuna rivulet apprised next to the Ganga rivulet just for Asit Muni. This magic and mystic behind these places make it all the more divine. You can still feel the strong diving powers of this land from the moment you come here. Even when you leave, you will feel as if you are taking a part of Yamunotri with you through your memories of this place. Such is the beauty of Yamunotri.