Credit: yogender singh
About Shani Mandir Kharsali
Shani Mandir Kharsali is situated at a height of 7000 feet. Dedicated to the god Shani, who is considered Yamuna’s brother. The temple is 1 km from Janaki Chatti, 6.5 km from Yamountri, and 8km from Hanuman Chatti.
There are two routes on either side of Yamuna when you come from Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri.
Architecture
Built from stone and wood, the temple is very tall and shaped like a 5-story house. One can reach the top of the temple through a narrow wooden staircase.
At the top, a bronze statue is installed that receives sunlight occasionally when it peeps through the slated roof.Here at the height, the entire Kharsali village against the backdrop of Yamountri Peak looks magnificent.
In Kharsali village, Shani is considered the resident god of the village. It’s worshipped to protect the evil influence of stars and constellations.
During winter, Yamunotri receives heavy snowfall and becomes inaccessible. So the deity is brought down to Kharsali village, known as the winter seat of Godess Yamuna.