On the Yamuna River ghats, you will come across numerous temples dedicated to various deities in Hinduism. Presented below are some of these along with the ones that we spotted while our stroll on the Vishram Ghat of River Yamuna in Mathura.
Yam-Yamuna Temple
Located on the banks of River Yamuna, it is dedicated to the brother-sister sibling duo of Yam (pronounced as yum) and Yamuna. The story related to this temple is a very interesting one. It is said that once, on the occasion of Bhai Duj (the day following Diwali) Yamuna requested her brother to come over for dinner. After the dinner, as per the customary tradition, Yum insisted his sister ask for something from him. This left Yamuna confused as she already had everything and she dint know what else she could demand for. On much persistence from his brother, Yamuna finally put forth her wish – On this day of Bhai Duj, all those sisters who along with their brothers, will devotedly bathe in my waters and visit our temple together should be freed from all your reprimands and punishments and be granted liberation – that was happily granted by Yam.
Entrance to the Yam-Yamuna Temple
Keeping with that pledge, even today, on the auspicious eve of Bhai duj (the second day of Diwali) every year, the Vishram ghat gets flanked by sister-brother pair coming over from all over the country and the entire river front literally transposes into a huge sibling fair.
The sibling duo of Yam (right side of the picture) and Yamuna
I am blessed to have been here twice in the past on this very occasion and to have witnessed this event along with my brother, I must confess, the kind of worship that one experiences when one takes a dip with both hands tightly clutched together, that moment is beyond any expressions... it is a real wonderful feeling, full of pure idyllic love!
Yamuna Temple
Just opposite the Yam-Yamuna Temple is situated the Yamuna Temple dedicated exclusively to Goddess Yamuna. After praying to Her on the River Ghats, devotees come to this temple and do not forget to offer their prayers here as well.
Yamuna Temple
Goddess Yamuna
Gatashram
According to the ancient Hindu scriptures, after bathing at Vishram Ghat, one should visit the deity of Gatashram, which means 'refuge from fatigue'. The original temple is reportedly gone, in place of which is built one that dates back to the 18th century. It houses a four armed standing image of Lord Vishnu flanked by Radha and Kubja on both sides.
Durvasa Muni's Ashram
This place is on the other side of the Yamuna River from Mathura and one can see it during the boat ride. Here sage Durvasa had performed time in penance opposite the Vishram Ghat.
Besides these important temples listed above, there are
countless other temples dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses like
Laxmi Narayan temple, Krishna - Balaram Temple, Hanuman temple, that one
sights with each step that one takes here.
66 Comments
I always enjoy your wonderful tours, Arti!! Thank you for sharing the beautiful and fascinating things about your country! Your photos are so delightful and colorful today!! Hope your week is going well!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Fascinated to read of Gatashram, how wonderful. As always I've enjoyed your photographs and especially the first two as I have a love of bells.
ReplyDeleteWow, such a colorful and pretty post! The colors of India are greatly inspiring - time for a painting in soft yellow, white, pink and green! xx
ReplyDeleteHindu temples and ashrams are such peaceful places... great post Arti.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post- Arti. Loved the Yam and Yamuna depiction. Cute pictures of the Gods and Goddesses.
ReplyDeleteWell presented. Yam - Yamuna story is new for me. Thank you for the post.
ReplyDeleteNice post Arti ji ji... keep it coming :)
ReplyDeleteasusual an enjoyable post Arti...took me to the place with your snaps!
ReplyDeleteThe yellow painted on the temples is such a bright, cheerful color. I enjoyed reading about the brother/sister siblings who visit the Yam-Yamuna Temple to receive their blessing.
ReplyDeleteArti, thank you for taking us on this spiritual journey. I am struck by the brilliant colors of the statues in India. Lots of red and yellow there.
ReplyDeleteI always learn so much here. I really enjoy seeing the temples and their magnificent colors.
ReplyDeleteI badly feel like visiting this temple town.. Great post Arti, as usual, with lot of useful info.
ReplyDeleteI never read about yamuna story :), your picture make me curious.. i will read more about it, and the temple look interesting, are the building area look like varanasi?
ReplyDeletewe often hear about stories about lovers and couples. this is something different. i like it.
ReplyDeletemay you have a wonderful week ahead of you too, arti. :)
beautiful pics
ReplyDeletelike the closeup i can read it
Great post and Nice photos.Thanks.
ReplyDeleteArti, you are doing such a great service through this lovely blog of yours to increase the awareness of our rich culture! Mathura, Vrindavan, and the entire region has a history waiting to be told!
ReplyDeleteI love the colorful welcoming arc in the first two photos. Very interesting place indeed. Awesome post as always. :)
ReplyDeleteYam and Yamuna's story was quite interesting. I have never visited Yamuna near Mathgura. However it comes to Varanasi where I had a dip.
ReplyDelete@Mareta One can say the the ghat area of Mathura including the buildings does bear a close resemblance to the ghats in Varanasi. But the ghats in Varanasi -- are ornate and more in number when compared to Mathura -- where the look is more subtle and the buildings, though ancient, are also few.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.....
ReplyDeleteIt's really impressive tour. Most Japanese people don't know such places. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLovely temples and wonderful captures .
ReplyDeleteSo colorful, Arti! Love!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's like the visual tour of this beautiful place. Thanks Arti...:)
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of Yam and Yamuna, Arti. So very interesting. I have a few wishes of my own.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place and story -- what a generous brother to take such good care of his sister! (I hope our kids are as good to each other ;>))...this post made me miss my brother though, who has been gone for many years now.
ReplyDeleteWow! My goodness, the sights are incredible and so very different from what I see day to day. You give me wanderlust. Thank you so much for giving us a tour!
ReplyDeleteThese are also good architect temples.I like these.
ReplyDeleteMany Thanks for sharing! I love temples both for the their architecture and fro the magic athmosphere you might breath!
ReplyDeleteHi,Arti.
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous temples with yellow and some bells hanging under the gate.I always envy of your spiritual trip. That is wonderful. Thank you for taking us the interesting trip with you.
Sorry,I am a late visitor,Arti.
I was a bit busy for going out.
I did not sit and use my computer so much these days.
Have a nice day!
Tomoko
Arti,I am very much thrilled by your words of inspiration. Am really sorry for the delay in writing the new post.Some very important work is going on.Soon I would try.
ReplyDeleteBut,you are very well meeting out my deficiency.I am always delighted by your interesting and wonderful
writing supported by beautiful eye-catching pictures.The comments on your post are also interesting to read and reflect pious love of your readers towards you.
Thanks a lot Arti for this unique post.
What a visual treat! Arti, I'm inspired to hit the gym, wax my Timberlands and hit the trekking trail once again :-)and so here's a little something from my blog to yours. Do check out http://averilgomes.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/sunshine-versatile-and-a-plateful-of-pakoras/
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Beautiful post. Loved the pictures. Felt nice reading about the anecdote about Bhai Duj. :)
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. I'd think lots of working mothers would want to visit that refuge from fatigue"...that's when I remember being so so tired sometimes. (Not often any more though ;>)!~
ReplyDeleteHello to my favorite blogger :D :). I have a small award for you :D :). http://sweetsomethingz.blogspot.in/2012/04/awesomeness-personified.html
ReplyDeletestunning buildings :)
ReplyDeleteThe story of Yam and Yamuna makes our mind warm. It's good chance that you witnesses the event with your brother.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking me to your great tour.
Hane a lovely weekend!
So beautiful, never knew about Yamuna temple and Yam and Yamuna....
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! All so colorful.
ReplyDeleteWith so many temples, I’d wonder which to visit and you gave us nice pieces of information. I like it when the Hindu temples are beautifully colorful, I like the yellow, silver, and blue... but if I had to pick a favorite (though it’s hard), I’d go for the seventh with the chic color tone.
ReplyDeleteYoko
never knew that yamuna and yum story...quite interesting i must say...thanks for sharing this Arti...
ReplyDeleteit's been so long since i last visited yamuna ghats!!!
regards
rahul
Beutifully narrated
ReplyDeleteexcellent photo capture
thanks for sharing
It is very moving story with our brothers and sisters, Artie! And I am glad to feel the ultimate brotherly love!
ReplyDeleteThe photos you filled so nice colors and interesting information!
Many greetings and kisses
Hey Arti, please collect your award from here.
ReplyDeletehttp://maks-journy-nevr-ends.blogspot.in/2012/04/word-of-appreciation-awesome-blogger.html
I am not familiar with this part of the world and Bhai Duj. Thank you for explaining it and posting pictures of the temples.
ReplyDeleteI rad something about Hanuman.
ReplyDeleteI always relate Hanuman to Sun WuKong, the main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West.
Amazing photos. Loved the Hnumanji's morthy.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. Very touching...
ReplyDeleteThanks for enlightening us on the story of Yam - Yamuna.
As usual, the pics are marvellous :)
fascinating!!!
ReplyDeleteloved the post!
These temples are all so different, I think the one with the pastel colors is the prettiest. Do the visitors feed the monkeys?
ReplyDeleteNice post Arti, and even for you and your brother to be on this ceremony. Beautiful colorful.
ReplyDeleteI have a Filipino blogger who lives in Malaysia, and he introduced me to some of customs and traditions.
GLORIOUS TEMPLES.
ReplyDeleteI would love to experience what you described as a "real wonderful feeling, full of pure idyllic love"!.....wonderful words and beautiful pictures as always...
ReplyDeletegood post,
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for Mathura. I don't know why. But I have never really got the chance to explore it properly. Thanks to this post, I can do some of that virtually. Super pictures, Arti. :)
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in the Hanuman temple! In Nara-machi, there is a hall of the blue-faced deity whose messengers are monkeys. So on the roof or under the eaves of his small hall there are lots of monkey statues and dolls. I have heard the story of this white monkey with magical powers. I enjoy your stories always, and find something similar and familiar with our culture sometimes. It is a great delight for me. Arti, thanks a lot.
ReplyDeletekeiko
Interesting place. Enjoyed reading about it. Happy to learn about Bhai Dhuj tradition and story of Yam and Yamuna. Here the Yam is the same Yama - God of death? Never knew Yamuna was his sister.
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice and wonderful post <3
ReplyDeletelove
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@ The Fool
ReplyDeleteYes, Yama or The God of Death is the brother of Yamuna. They are also siblings to Shani. Their father is the Sun God, Surya.
Beautiful architecture, Arti!
ReplyDeleteTemples in India are a whole lot cooler and more colorful than other places in the world. Love 'em!
ReplyDeleteThat was a fantastic tour of temples along the Yamuna along with lovely pics.
ReplyDeleteI love the story of the sister and brother how it has created the tradition for today. A way of bringing family together.
ReplyDeleteI didnt know the story behind "Bhai duj" and Yam & Yamuna. That's an interesting one Arti & a great day for brother sister duo :)
ReplyDeletecan somebody throw light on gatashram temple. diety is vishnu avtar or relate to kubjs-radha????
ReplyDeleteanil
Delighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!
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