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.

Temples on the Vishram Ghat, Mathura
Temples on the Vishram Ghat 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.


Yam-Yamuna Temple, Yamuna River Ghats in Mathura
 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.

Yam-Yamuna Temple, Yamuna River Ghats in Mathura
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.

An ancient temple on Vishram ghat in Mathura
Yamuna Temple

Temple of Goddess Yamuna, Vishram Ghat-Mathura
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.

Laxmi Narayan Temple, Vishram Ghat
An ancient temple of Lord Vishnu, Laxmi Narayan Temple

Lord Hanuman Temple with monkey, Yamuna River Ghats in Mathura
A monkey sitting atop a Hanuman temple, just besides the Vishram Ghat

Lord Hanuman Temple, Yamuna River Ghats in Mathura
Hanuman Temple

Radha-Krishna Temple at the Yamuna River Vishram Ghat in Mathura
Radha- Krishna Temple