Yamraj Temple - The Hindu God of Death and Justice

Yama, also known as Yamaraja, Kala, Dharmraja is well known as the Hindu God of death and justice. Even though Yama is feared by living beings, he plays a vital role in rejuvenation and maintaining the balance of the world through the continuous cycle of birth and death.

Yama appointed as the protector of the south direction is one of the Lokapalas (guardians of the directions). He is often depicted as a dark-complexioned man, riding a buffalo and carrying a noose or mace to capture souls. Scriptures describe him as the twin of the Yamuna, a river goddess associated with life, and the son of the sun god Surya and Sanjna. Some of his major appearances include the tales of the Pandavas, Savitri Satyavan, and the sage Markandeya. He is known to be accompanied by Chitragupta, another deity associated with death In modern culture.

Let me introduce you to the 7 temples of Lord Yamraj in our India

1. Yamraj temple Bharmaur Himachal

In a temple where people are afraid to go, there is an orgy of ghosts and demons.

As we all know that a temple is a place where a person goes to drive away from the forces and troubles from all over the world, but to a surprise, there is a temple in India where no one wants to go. It is believed that there is an orgy of ghosts and vampires due to which people are afraid to go.

In Hindu mythology, Dharamraj decides the fate of souls whether they should go to heaven or hell. Dharamraj or Yamraj temple which is also known as Dharmeshwar Mahadev is considered to be the only temple of lord Dharamraj or lord Yamraj in the world where deeds of your life are decided and a decision is taken on your afterlife.

This temple is located at a place called Bharmour in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. There are many different beliefs about this temple, it is said that on seeing this temple, people join hands from outside and return after seeing from afar, no one tries to enter inside this temple. Most people consider it good to stay away from this temple.

There is an empty room inside the temple which is said to be the room of Chitragupta. Experts say that when a person dies, eunuchs are sent to bring the soul. After this, the soul is first taken to Chitragupta, where Chitragupta gives an account of the deeds to the soul.

Then the soul is taken to the other room, which is believed to be the court of Yamraj locally called ‘dhai-podi, which means two and a half steps. These steps now may be located below the temple. It is also designated as dyodhi (portico) by Gaddis. In this room where Yamraj’s court is held in the room where the action takes place and then it is decided whether the soul of the person will be sent to heaven or hell.

It is said that there are four invisible gates in this temple, which are made of gold, silver, copper, and iron. And there is also a big cave below the temple (not open) which is to be believed by the locals that the soul of every human being travels through that cave after the fate of the soul is decided by lord Yamraj. It is believed that every departed soul stands here to seek the final permission of Yamraj to proceed ahead. And, after Yamraj’s decision, the Yamdoots take the soul to heaven or hell through these gates according to the deeds. The Garuda Purana also mentions four gates in the court of Yamraj in four directions.

2. Shri Yamuna Ji Dharmraj Ji

The brother-sister temple which is dedicated to Yamuna Ji and Dharam Ji is situated at the Vishram Ghat of Yamuna Ji in Mathura. In this temple, the idols of Yamuna and Dharmaraj Ji are attached.

Sangya Devi was the woman of the Sun God. They had two children, son Yamraj and daughter Yamuna. Being the creator’s wife, unable to bear the scorching rays of the sun, started living as a shadow in the North Pole region. The Tapti River and Shanichar were born from that shadow. Here Chhaya started behaving like a goddess with Yamraj and Yamuna. Disappointed by this, Yamraj established his new city, Yampuri, seeing his brother performing the task of punishing sinners in Yampuri, Yamunaji went to Golok, which was also during the time of Krishna incarnation.

Yamuna Ji loved her brother Yamraj very much she would request him to come to his house and have food. But due to being busy with work Yamraj Ji used to avoid talking about Yamuna Ji. After a long time, one day Yamraj remembered her sister so he sent messages to find the Yamuna, but she could not be found. Then Yamraj himself went to Golok where he met Yamuna Ji at the Vishram ghat. On seeing his brother, Yamuna Ji welcomed him with great joy and gave him food.

Pleased with this, Yamraj asked Yamunaji to ask for a boon. And then Yamunaji said that brother I want to ask this boon from you that men and women who bathe In my should not go to Yamapuri.

This made Yamaraj Ji a little confused because by giving such a boon to the Yamuna, the existence of Yamapuri would be ended. So seeing the brother in confusion, Yamuna Ji said Don’t worry, give me this boon that those who take a meal at your sister’s house on this day and take a bath at the Vishram Ghat in this city of Mathura, should not go to your people. He assured sister Yamunaji - 'I will tie those gentlemen who do not eat food at their sister's house on this date and take them to Yampuri and those who bathe in your water will be in heaven.' Since then this festival is celebrated.

Since then there is such a mythological belief that whoever visits this temple after taking a bath in the Yamuna on the day of Bhai Dooj (Bhai Dooj) gets freedom from going to Yamlok. There is also a story in its Puranas which sisters hear on the day of Bhaiya Dooj (Yama Dwitiya).

3. Dharamraj Temple, Rishikesh

There is a very ancient temple of Yamraj located in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Here in the sacrarium, the idol of Lord Yamraj is established in a seated in the writing posture, and other idols around it are believed to be the idols of Yamadoot. However, the idol of Chitragupta is installed to the left of the Yamaraja idol.

4. Sri Ema Dharmaraja temple

This temple is located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. It is believed that this temple is thousands of years old.

5. Dharamraj Mandir Varanasi

Dharamraj mandir is situated in Kashi Varanasi.

When Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva to describe the various important Shiv Lings in Kashi. Lord Shiva told her that once upon a time, in Anand Van (Kashi) Yamraj installed a Ling and underwent severe penance in the prayer of Lord Shiva. His prayers went on during extremely cold winters and scorching summers. The intensity of his prayers went on increasing; he stood on one leg and prayed for several years and finally stood on one toe for several days during his penance. At last Lord Shiva appeared before him and conferred the title of Dharma Raj on Yama Raj. The ling installed by Yam Raj was named by Lord Shiva as Dharmeshwar Ling. On seeing Lord Shiva in person, Yam Raj was dumbstruck and could not ask what he wanted. He was overwhelmed with joy.

Lord Shiva then took the initiative and told Yam Raj that the latter should do proper justice to people who die, those committing sins should face punishment and those performing Punya Karma (Virtuous deeds) should go to heaven. The judgment should be fair. Those who live in Kashi and engage in pooja etc. should be free from all the sins committed in any generation. Yam Raj as such is for evil persons/ sinners and he is Dharma Raj for good people. Yamraj agreed to do as he was directed by Lord Shiva.

6. Thiruppainjeeli, Manachanallur,Trichy, TamilNadu

This temple is located in Thiruppainjeeli Manchanallur, Trichy, Tamil Nadu.

7. Shri Chitragupt and Yamraj temple in Coimbatore

This temple of Yamaraja is located at Singanallur on Vellalur Main Road in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. There is also a beautiful lake here.