Yama is the Hindu god of death. Lord Yama, also known as Yamaraja or Dharmaraja, is the Hindu god of death and justice. He is the ruler of Naraka (hell) and is responsible for guiding the souls of the deceased. Yama is depicted as a dark-complexioned figure, often riding a buffalo and carrying a noose and mace.
Yama is the son of Surya (the sun god) and Saranya (or Samjna). He is the twin brother of Yami, who later became the river Yamuna.
His role, characteristics, and abode have been expounded in texts such as the Upanishads, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas.
He is entrusted with the role of guiding the souls of the deceased. He is not seen as a punisher of sins, but rather as a just judge who weighs the deeds of the dead and determines their fate.
He is commonly depicted as a dark-skinned figure with red eyes, riding a buffalo, and holding a noose and mace. The noose is used to capture souls, while the mace is symbolic of his authority and role as a judge.
Yama’s influence extends beyond Hinduism, appearing in Buddhist, Tibetan, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese mythologies, often as a guardian or king of the underworld.
There are very few ancient temples dedicated to Yama.
The following is the one temple mentioned in the scriptures.
Kaleshwara Mukteshwar Temple Telangana. Ancient temple. A Sivalinga form granted by Lord Siva.
Puradhana Vaneswarar Temple Siva and Yama Dharmaraja Temple where Siva burnt Manmatha, Thiruchitrambalam, Tamilnadu
The following are also popular Sani temples though not mentioned in any ancient scriptures.
Chaurasi Temple Complex, Bharmour, Himachal Pradesh
Puradhana Vaneswarar temple, Thajavur, Tamilnadu
Srivanchiyam Vanchinathaswamy Temple, Srivanchiyam, Tamil Nadu
While not dedicated solely to Yama following places also have shrines or sannidhis (sanctuaries) for Yama or Chitragupta:
Thiruppainjeeli near Trichy,
Dhandeeswaram in Velachery Chennai
Thirukadaiyur in Tamil Nadu
