Yamunotri is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, India, and is the source of the sacred Yamuna River. It is located in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of about 3,293 meters (10,804 ft), near the border with Tibet.
Here are some key details:
- Religious significance: Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, the daughter of the Sun God (Surya) and sister of Yama (the God of Death). Pilgrims believe that bathing in the Yamuna and worshipping here cleanses sins and protects from untimely death.
- Main temple: The Yamunotri Temple, originally built in the 19th century by Maharani Guleria of Jaipur, is a small yet sacred shrine dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.
- Hot springs: Near the temple are natural thermal springs, the most famous being Surya Kund. Pilgrims cook rice and potatoes tied in cloth in these boiling waters, offering it to the goddess before eating it as prasad.
- Trek & Access: The temple is not directly accessible by road. The pilgrimage involves a trek of about 6 km from Janki Chatti, which can be covered on foot, by pony, or palanquin.
- Part of Chota Char Dham: Along with Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, Yamunotri forms the sacred circuit of the Chota Char Dham Yatra, one of the most revered pilgrimages in Hinduism.
Would you like me to also create a travel guide-style summary (best time to visit, how to reach, tips, etc.) for Yamunotri?
