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One of the four sacred dhams of Uttarakhand, and revered in Hindu mythology, Yamunotri is the source of the river Yamuna. About 220 Km from Rishikesh and 149 Km from Tehri, the picturesque shrine of Yamunotri is located at an altitude of 3,235 m. Being one of the four Char dhams it is a place of paramount religious importance for the devout Hindus. The 19th century temple of Goddess Yamuna, a number of thermal springs and Divya Shila ( Rock pillar) are prime attractions.

Perched at an altitude of 3,133 mt. above sea-level, in the middle of a beautiful valley, it is located on the right bank of holy river Alaknanda. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple of Shri Badrinathji is 15 mt. in height, built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull and spire.

Legend dates the temple prior to the Vedic age, though the present temple is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th century A.D., Hindu reformist.

The temple has been renovated several times due to earlier damages by avalanches and looks modem now with a colourful "Singh Dwara" or the main entrance gate. The temple has three parts - Garbha Griha (the sanctum sanctorum), Darshan Mandap (for pujas) and Shobha Mandap (for devotees to assemble).

It is believed that the image of Badrinath had been thrown into the Alaknanda river during the time of the Buddhist era and later retrieved and reinstalled by Shankaracharya during the following Hindu revival.

There are 15 idols in the temple complex. Finely sculpted in black stone, the Badrinath (Vishnu) image is a metre high. Other images include those of Laxmi (Vishnu's consort), Garurh (Vishnu's mount), Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh etc.

With its great scenic beauty and attractive recreational spots in the vicinity, Badrinath attracts an ever increasing number of secular visitors each year.

The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 jyotirlings of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. At an altitude of 3,581 mt it is a 14 km trek from Gaurikund.

Dedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. Shiva is considered the embodiment of all passion-love, hatred, fear, death and mysticism which are expressed through his various forms.

There are more than 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chamoli district itself, the most important one is Kedarnath. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war, felt quilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull.

On being followd he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on th surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other place and worshipped there as his manifestations.

The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath and the four aboce mentioned shrices are treated as Panch Kedar.

This sacred shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,200 mt is the source of the river Bhagirathi. It is surrounded by the mountain peaks of Shivling, Satopanth and Bhagirathi sisters. Accessible by a motorable road, it is one of the most pious Hindu pilgrimages.PRIME ATTRACTIONS

As the legend goes, Raja Bhagirath used to worship Lord Shiva at the sacred stone near which the temple is located. It is believed that goddess Ganga first descended to earth from Heaven, at this stone. Amar Singh Thapa, the Gorkha Commander of Garhwal, in the 18th century A.D. constructed this temple. It is also believed that the Pandavas, came here to perform the great 'Deva Yagna' to atone the death of their kinsmen in the battle of Mahabharata.

Submerged Shivling

Submerged in the river, this natural rock Shivling is the place where, according to mythology, Lord Shiva sat when he received the Ganga in his matted locks. It is visible in winter months when water level decreases.

Yamunotri : The shrine of Yamunotri, source of river Yamuna is situated in the direction opposite to Gangotri and the road bifurcates and goes to Yamunotri from Dharasu, a place between Rishikesh-Uttarkashi. Situated at an elevation of 3235 metres above sea level, the shrine of Yamunotri is one of the ‘four dhams’ of Uttarakhand.The treck along the river bank is quite magnificent, dominated by a wide panorama of mountains. It is said that the temple of Yamunotri was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the last decade of the 19th century. In 1923 this was destroyed, with only the idols left, and was rebuilt. It was once again damaged in 1982. A hot water pool at Yamunotri is used for the preparation of "PRASAD" normally rice and potatoes, cooked by dipping them in the hot water, tied in cloth bags.