Places near Yamunotri

Yamunotri is a town in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. The place is famous for the Yamunotri temple. It’s imortance has immesnly increased after it has been added to the Chota Char Dham Yatra. It is actually the origination point of the second holiest river in Hinduism, the river Yamuna. Along with Yamunotri, there are 3 other sites in this Chota Char Dham Yatra, started by the Uttarakhand Goverment. They are namely; Kedarnath, Badrinath and Gangotri. Thousands of pilgrims visit these sites every year. These sites are famous not only for pilgrimage, but also due to the natural beauty and peace in the air. There are many Places near Yamunotri which people visit to find peace and also do meditation.

Places to visit near Yamunotri

1. Gauri Kund temple

It is the temple where Goddess Parvati meditated for 100 years in order to marry Lord Shiva. Gauri Kund is a cold-water spring. The legend of the beheading of Lord Ganesha takes place here as he was guarding the door when Goddess Parvati went for a bath in the cold waters.

2. Surya Kund

It is a waterfall located at a distance of 500 meters from the Gangotri temple. The site is famous for it’s rainbow which is created every time the sun rays fall into the water. The water body got its name from the river Yamuna as Goddess Yamuna is said to be the daughter of Lord Surya (the Sun God).

3. Shani Dev temple

Located in the village Kharsali, this is the oldest temple of Shani Dev (Saturn God). Shani Dev temple is located at a height of 7000 ft. above sea level. The idol of Goddess Yamuna is kept here during the winter. Shani Dev is the brother of Goddess Yamuna (both being the children of Surya Dev). The temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas.

4. Saptarshi Kund

It is a high-altitude lake. Saptarshi Kund is located at the foothills of the Champasar Glacier. This Kund is also the originating point of river Yamuna. It is an ideal destination for trekking but the level of trekking is quite difficult and hence it is suggested to take a proper guide with you.

5. Triyuginarayan temple

The temple is also known as the “Trijugi Narayana temple”. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This is the place where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. The Brahma Shila outside the temple marks the exact place of the wedding.

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