Yamunotri Temple - Origin of River Yamuna

Yamunotri Temple is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It marks the origin of the sacred Yamuna River and is one of the four shrines in the Char Dham Yatra circuit, making it spiritually significant to millions of devotees.

Key facts

• Location: Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, India

• Elevation: About 3,293 meters (10,804 feet)

• Deity: Goddess Yamuna

• Established by: Maharani Guleria of Jaipur (19th century)

• Best visiting months: May to October

Mythological and religious significance

According to Hindu mythology, the Yamuna River is the daughter of the Sun god, Surya, and the sister of Yama, the god of death. Bathing in the river’s icy waters is believed to cleanse sins and protect from untimely death. The temple’s sanctum houses a black marble idol of Goddess Yamuna, symbolizing purity and benevolence.

Location and environment

The temple is nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas near the foot of the Bandarpoonch Glacier, the true source of the Yamuna River. Because the glacier is difficult to reach, pilgrims traditionally worship at the temple instead. The surroundings feature hot springs such as Surya Kund, where devotees cook rice and potatoes as offerings to the goddess.

Architecture and access

Built in the traditional North Indian Nagara style, the temple features a stone base and a yellow facade topped with a conical spire. It is accessible from the town of Hanuman Chatti via a 6-kilometer trek along rugged mountain paths. During winter, heavy snowfall forces the temple to close, and the deity’s idol is moved to Kharsali village for worship.

Pilgrimage importance

Yamunotri is the first stop in the Char Dham Yatra, preceding Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Pilgrims begin their spiritual journey here, symbolically cleansing themselves at the source of the Yamuna before proceeding to the other Himalayan shrines.