Yamunotri Temple – The Holy River Yamuna Exists in Two Different Forms

• • Uttarakhand, Uttarkashi • Tags:
Yamunotri Temple, Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand, India)

Chandra Mohan – one of the Panda (priests) around the temple shared little-known knowledge about Yamunotri Temple as per query.

The Yamuna And Ganga Goddess deities within the temple. Tularam Jalan – one of the devotees from Kolkatta (Calcutta) City along with Sitaram Murarka, Chotariya Ji re-constructed the temple about 30 years ago as it was not in good shape due to bad weather conditions.

The holy river Yamuna exists in two different forms: One is a Hot water spring and another is the flowing cold water close to the temple. The source of the Yamuna River is Saptrishi Kund about 14 km far up within the Kalindi Parbat (mountain) which is not easily accessible. Thus, devotees offer puja within the temple area.

Thank you – said I, for the narration. Prayers.

Vishwanath and Ardhnareshwar Temple – Lord appeared as Half-Shankar & Half-Parwati

• • Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand • Tags:
Vishwanath and Ardhnareshwar Temple, Guptkashi (Uttarakhand, India)

Upon the query Naveen Devshali one of the temple care-takers shared the History of Vishwanath and Ardhnareshwar Temple and I with curiosity – listening.

Vishwanath temple is the temple where Lord Shankar disappeared and swayambhu (self-manifested) Shivalaya appeared.

It is said when Pandavas killed their brother Kaurav during the Kurukshetra War sin was done i.e., Pitra Hatya (killing own family members). Lord Krishna suggested Pandavas to visit Kedar-Khand and pray in front of Lord Shiva. He will only offer Mukti (salvation) for the sin done. Pandav reached KedarKhand (Haridwar-Himalayas) in search of Lord Shankar but the moment the Lord was aware of their presence he disappeared from the meditating location and moved towards Kedarnath. Lord was not willing to meet Pandavas because he thought as Dwapar Yug is about to end and Kalyug will start soon if Pandavs were given Mukti then in-future i.e., Kalyug people will repeat such killing acts and will request for the Mukti (salvation).

Because Lord Shankar was meditating at this location and disappeared at this very location the area was named Guptkashi. Kashi is another name of Lord Shankar and Gupt is hidden.

As Lord Shankar was not present Pandavs with the bow & arrow pierced the land to flow the holy stream of Ganga and Jamuna to offer water to dead ancestors i.e., Pitra-Puja. The two water flow present within the temple is Ganga and Jamuna. The hidden flow path is not yet known but within the temple near the shivalaya Ganga is again visible a lit bit. Ganga is coming from Gangotri and Yamuna from Yamunotri.

There is another temple within the area i.e., Ardhnareshwar temple. It is believed Lord Parwati convinced Lord Shankar to appear in front of meditating Pandavs. Lord appeared finally in the form of half-Shankar and half-Parwati to bless Pandavs i.e., why named Ardhnareshwar (half man/half woman).

And I look around – old structures, old wooden doors, old mud walls exist. Happy very Happy. Old is preserved very well and towards the shivalaya. Prayers, donations, and words of Thanks – Thank you, Naveen Ji.

Rishikesh to Yamunotri – Distance and Directions

• • Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Uttarkashi • Tags: , ,

Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh to Yamunotri Distance is 245 km approx.

Laxman Jhula > Bhadra Kali temple (5 km)

Bhadra Kali > Hindolakhal (20 km)

Hindolakhal > Bemuda Fall (18 km)

Bemuda Fall > Nagni (9 km)

Nagni > Chamba Chowk (9 km)

Chamba Chowk > Uttarkashi bypass turn left

(Uttarkashi bypass is 100 meters approx.)

Uttarkashi byepass turn left > Dharkot (9 km)

Dharkot > Kandikhal (Dabri) (13 km)

Kandikhal (Dabri) > Kandisaur (Cham) (35 km)

Kandisaur (Cham) > Chinyalisaur (14 km)

Chinyalisaur > Dharasu Band turn left (13 km)

Dharasu Band turn left > Brahmakhal (14 km)

Brahmakhal > ShivGufa (Nagarmehargaon) (7 km)

ShivGufa (Nagarmehargaon) > Barkot Band turn right (34 km)

Barkot Band turn right > Ranachatti (33 km)

Ranachatti > Hanumanchatti (3 km)

Hanumanchatti > Yamunotri (9 km) +6 km trek for temple

(follow National Highway 94 from Rishikesh to reach Yamunotri)

Note: Haridwar Railway Station to Rishikesh distance by road approx. 32 km
Haridwar Railway Junction to Yamunotri Temple distance by road 283 km approx.

Agastya Muni Temple – Maharishi Agastya Meditated Here

• • Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand • Tags:
Agastya Muni Temple, Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand, India)

Shree Anusiya Prasad – mathadhish (head priest) was present within the temple area. Upon request in-short, he narrated the History of Agastya Muni Temple as follows:

Maharishi Agastya meditated at this very location. 18th or 19th century (not sure) the temple was built. Every twelve years for nine days Lakshya Yagya is performed within the temple premises. More than Lacs Aahuti (oblations) is offered. Once Yagya is over Yagya Kund is closed and only after 12 years, the holy Yaya Kund is re-opened.

Do you know Lord Kartikeya – son of Lord Shiva was the disciple of Maharishi Agastya.

And with sound knowledge, I step towards the temple. Prayers.

Kalimath Temple – One of the Siddha Peeths of the Region

• • Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand • Tags: ,

Guptkashi to Kalimath Temple distance by road is 9.5 km approx.

(The road from Guptkashi to Kalimath is a jungle route. Interesting drive)

There is a holy kund at Kalimath temple which opens only once a year on Kaalratri day. Four hours of Tantrik puja is done and holy kund is closed again. The great poet Kalidas did his studies at the Saraswati temple in Kalimath and stayed at a nearby village – Kaviltha.

Re: Accommodation at Kalimath there is a guest house. Devotees may stay at a very nominal cost – Rs. 250/- per night.

If a devotee wishes, he may visit Kalishila situated on top of a hill approx. 6-7 km trek from Kalimath. 64 Yantra is present on a shila.

Note: 12 – 2 noon Kalimath temple is closed.

To reach Kalimath first one has to reach Guptkashi. Max Jeep is available on a frequent basis from Guptkashi to Kalimath.

Dhari Devi Temple (Kaliyasaur) – One of the 52 Siddha Peeth of Uttarakhand

• • Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand • Tags: ,
Dhari Devi Temple, Kaliyasaur, Pauri Garhwal (Uttarakhand, India)

Dhari Devi Temple is situated 15 km approx. from Srinagar Bus Depot via National Highway 58 at Kaliyasaur in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

And from Rudraprayag to Dhari Devi Temple is 21 Km approx. (Follow National Highway 58)

After offerings and prayers, I met Aashish Pandey – one of the temple priests. Upon the request, he narrated the History of Dhari Devi temple as follows:

It is believed The deity – Dakshin (south-facing) Kali Kalyaneshwari is swayambhu (self-manifested) and the creation of Lord Vishwakarma. The temple is popularly known as Dhari Devi. Within 52 Siddha Peeth of Uttarakhand, Dhari Devi is one of them.

Dhari Devi is the most popular name because in front of the temple across the Alaknanda River is Dhari Gaon (village). Dhari Gaon is said to have existed since the time of Pandavas.

Devi is also known as Shamshaani as Shamshaan (cremation ground) is nearby.

The temple is situated on top of Singh Shila (lion’s rock). If a person watches carefully from the top of the close-by mountains the rock below the temple is as equal as the lion’s head.

The deity changes her face three times within a day.

1. As a child during the morning till early afternoon hours

2. Raudra Roop (angry) since afternoon till evening

And Vridha (old) during evening hours

It is believed sitting alone within the temple in front of the deity is not possible. Shiv–Parvati Shila (rock), Suraj Kund (the place where Adi Shankaracharya had a bath) is very close to the temple.

Thank you, priest – said I. And once more I was walking toward the deity to offer prayers.

Afternoon hours – Raudra Roop, I agree totally. Prayers.

Koteshwar Mahadev Cave Temple – Three Times a Year Alaknanda Visits the Holy Cave

• • Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand • Tags:

Koteshwar Mahadev Cave Temple is in Bela Gaon on the banks of Alaknanda – The holy river. Three times a year Alaknanda visits the holy cave. It is said when the Kurukshetra War was over, the Kaurav brothers were killed by Pandavs, and Akashvani (heavenly voice) suggested Pandavas to pray Lord Shiva for Mukti (salvation).

Lord Shiva was present within the cave meditating and Pandavs in search of Lord Shiva. The moment it is known to Lord he shifted from the cave towards Kedarnath. At that time the demons (BrahmaRakshas) residing close to the cave requested the Lord not to leave but Lord Shiva was not willing to stay to grant Mukti (liberation) to Pandavas as he thought maybe in the future each person will do the same (killing act) and will ask for Mukti (salvation). Finally, before moving Lord Shiva granted demons (BrahmaRakshas) a boon, i.e., whoever visits the cave, wishes will be fulfilled. Devotees nowadays visit cave mostly to pray to have children.