Yamunotrī

Goddess Yamunā · Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand

Yamunotrī, near the source of the Yamunā, is usually the first stop of the circuit. The small temple of Yamunā Devī is reached by a trek of a few kilometres from Jānakī Caṭṭī, on foot, by pony or palanquin.

Beside the temple is Sūrya Kuṇḍa, a hot spring where pilgrims cook rice or potatoes tied in cloth and take them home as prasāda. Divya Śilā, a rock pillar, is worshipped before the goddess. In winter the goddess is taken down to Kharsālī village.

Tradition says Yamunā is the daughter of Sūrya, the Sun, and the twin sister of Yama, lord of death. On Yama Dvitīyā (Bhāī Dūj) Yama visited his sister, and she asked that anyone bathing in her waters on that day be free from fear of death. The sage Asita is remembered as having lived and bathed here.

Uttarakhand · Yamunā source · Sūrya Kuṇḍa hot spring · Yama Dvitīyā

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