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ORIGIN
OF YAMUNOTRI
Now
remains Yamunotri. Though her story is not so elaborate or fantastic, it is also
associated with divinities, and so has celestial flavour. Though she descends to
this world at some what higher altitude on the self - same Himalayas she hasn't
many hurdles. Nor is she brought down by penance by any king or sage, moreover,
she joins Ganga at Prayaga, and with that she vanishes with an abrupt end. In
brief, holy is the source, holier the course and the holiest is her abrupt
disappearance - merging with other holy rivers.
In
the legends too, she plays comparatively a minor role. She is the daughter of
the Sun-God, born to Sanjana. She is born along with Yama, the God of Death, and
was called Yami. They are twins. Later she is called Yamuna. Yamunotri, the
birth place of Yamuna stands on the western side of the great peak of
Bandarpunch in Himalayas. This is slightly higher in altitude - 3322 meters MSL,
than Gangotri-3140 metres MSL. It is snow-bound like the Gangotri, and is
separated by about 120 Km distance but both are located amidst highly enchanting
snowcapped mountainous region.
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