Yamunotri 4th Dham of Shiva

4 th Dham Yamunotri (abode of goddess Yamuna) Shrines

History of Yamunotri Dham

It is believed that the original Yamunotri temple was built in 1839 by Tehri Naresh Sudarshan Shah, which was destroyed during an earthquake. Later Maharaja Guleria of Jaipur rebuilt the temple during the 19th century.

According to a legend, sage Asti Muni took a bath in the rivers Ganga and Yamuna every day in his early life. Later when he grew old, he was unable to reach Gangotri, and influenced by his religious beliefs, Ganga emerged as a small stream next to the Yamuna River to help him continue his rituals.

Yamuna Devi is considered to be the daughter of Sun God and Saranyu Devi, the goddess of perception. Yamuna is also the sister of Lord Yama, the god of death, and is called as Yami, who later became the wife of Lord Krishna.

Importance of Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri Temple represents the origin of the sacred Yamuna River. The actual source of the river is a frozen glacier called Champasar Glacier, which is at an altitude of 4421 meters. This area overlooks a pond or lake known as Sapt Rishi Kund.

Trekking to this place is extremely difficult but worth a visit as this is the place where the sacred flower, ‘Brahma Kamal’ blooms once a year during July-August. The flower has divine significance in Hindu mythology.

It is believed that the white stamen of the flower represents Lord Krishna and the red stalk is believed to represent the 100 Kauravas. It is also believed that Lord Shiva replaced Lord Ganesha’s head with the head of an elephant using the Brahma Kamal.

Also, Read Best 4 Dham In India (bloggerguest.com)

There is a common belief that the river is black in color because it contains the pain and sorrow of Lord Shiva after the death of his wife Sati.

Yamunotri – A blissful experience after a tough journey

After Gangotri came the name of Yamunotri. This important place is in Chardham Yatra in the Himalayas. From Hrishikesh used to come to Uttarkashi and from there leave for Yamunotri. Uttarkashi-Dharasu-Yamunotri is a tough journey. Traveling in the Himalayas is basically difficult, Yamunotri is especially difficult. We pronounce it as Yamunotri while in the north it is pronounced as Jamuna or Jamunotri. This place is about 3200 meters above sea level.

Lakhamandal, about 20 km from Badkot, is a must-see place by taking a slightly crooked road. After passing through the difficult ghat road, numerous idols of Kaurava Pandavas can be seen in the mountains. When water is poured on this Shivlinga, it becomes transparent like a mirror, and the surrounding images are reflected in it. On the return journey, a tunnel mouth is seen after two or three kilometers. Lakhamandal is the place where there was an attempt to burn the Pandavas in Lakshagriha and the story is told that they escaped safely from this tunnel.

Further from Badkot is a small village or settlement called Brahmakhal. Jamadagni temple and Kalpa tree can be seen here. Although the entire road is hilly, agriculture can be seen near this village. There is no escape from the jungle. Then comes Hanuman Chatti. As vehicles cannot be parked here, vehicles are parked below Sayanchatti. Hanumanchatti is a small place and one can stay here to go to Yamunotri.

Very little flat space here.Jankichatti is five km ahead of it. One can also stay here. Private vehicles cannot be driven from Hanumanchatti. So, from Hanumanchatti to Jankichatti, we used to travel by jeep and then on foot or by horse, pole, or doli to reach Yamunotri. early morning you have to go After a six km climb from Jankichatti, there is a shrine of the Yamuna.

Yamunotri is considered to be the source of Yamuna but actually, the source is higher. It is impossible to go there. The Yamuna Temple is said to have been built by Tehri Nareshmaharaj Pratapshah. There is a handsome idol of Yamuna in black stone and next to it is an idol of Ganga in white marble.

There is a hot water tank outside the temple where devotees sit. The water in the Suryakunda is boiled and rice or potatoes are tied in this tank and released. Rice and potatoes are cooked. This is accepted as Prasad. As there is no accommodation here, one has to visit and return in one day. The way to go is very rough and tough. Also, being at a high altitude can cause problems with high altitude.

The story of this place says that Yama’s sister Yamuna. When Yama went to bow to Yamuna on Bhaubijidiva, she told her brother, Yama, to stop killing people. How will Yama accept this? Then at last Yamuna said to take leave from this work at least on Bhaubiji day and she said he who takes my darshan should not be afraid of death. Now this demand is only a hindrance to Yama’s work. How can anyone come and have a darshan of Yamuna? Finally, Yamuna came to this difficult place where no one can come easily. So Yama’s work also continued and Yamuna’s demand was also fulfilled.

The stream of Yamuna, which originates from a high point in the glaciers of the Himalayas, is very strong and its sound can be heard far and wide. It is also said that if Yamunotri’s journey goes smoothly, the next journey becomes easier. However, although tough and difficult, this journey, which gives the experience of walking on the shoulder of the Himalayas, must be done at least once. Rich nature, big and small springs, waterfalls, different types of fragrant flowers.Dense forests, gigantic trees joining hands with the sky, and the stillness that pervades nature. How can the feeling be expressed in words?