Yamunotri

The story goes that Yamuna is daughter of Surya Deva (Sun God) and sister of Yama Deva (God of Death). She has come to the earth in form of a river for salvation of human kind because of the austerities perform by Sage Jamdagni. Her brother Yama raja has given her the boon that whoever comes to her with pure devotion in their heart is spared from the torments of death and further can conquer death itself. In the science of Hatha Yoga, the river Yamuna symbolically represent the Pingala nadi or the positive (+) energy channel or the sun or masculine side in every human. All these stories and symbolisms are for transcending the individual self as Yoga theory says death is the experience of body and mind. The real nature of the Self is experienced after conquest of death. Yamunotri Dham symbolises this.

The temple consists of an idol of the Goddess Yamuna made up of black marble. There is also an idol of Goddess Ganga in white stone besides Goddess Yamuna. The Temple closes its portals on the second day of Diwali as winter approaches. The Goddess’ winter shrine is Kharsali village just down the mountain, where she is worshipped till mid April. Both closing and opening ceremony of the shrine are marked with celebrations, elaborate rituals and vedic chants.

Surya Kund in the temple premises is a hot water spring with boiling water where devotees boil rice and potatoes by tying them in a cloth and then distribute it as Prasad  (Religious offering ) amongst the other people. Also in the premises there is Divya Sheela which is a reddish brown rock near Surya Kund which should be worshipped before visiting the main idols of the temple.

We suggest that the following items are taken:

• Small bag/backpack with necessities for the day
• Rain jacket as the weather in the mountains can change unexpectedly
• Extra t-shirt in case of getting wet
• Towel and bathing suit to take bath in the hot springs
• Snacks and water