Popular Temple
Yamunotri Dham
Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand
The first stop of the Chota Char Dham, with hot springs at the source of the Yamuna
At a glance
- Location
- Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand
- Presiding deity
- Goddess Yamuna
- Temple type
- Popular Temple
- Tradition
- Other tradition
- Nearest railway station
- Rishikesh railway station (~200 km, to Janki Chatti)
- Nearest airport
- Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (~210 km)
- Best time to visit
- May-June and September-October. The climb becomes slippery and risky during the monsoon.
History
Yamunotri lies at about 3,293 metres on a flank of the Bandarpunch massif in the Garhwal Himalayas, at the source of the Yamuna. It is the westernmost of the Chota Char Dham shrines. The temple has been damaged by snow and landslides and rebuilt more than once.
Spiritual significance
Yamuna is traditionally held to be the daughter of Surya and the sister of Yama. The most distinctive thing here is Surya Kund, a spring of near-boiling water in which pilgrims cook rice and potatoes tied in cloth and carry them away as prasad.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
The doors open around Akshaya Tritiya (April-May) and close around Bhai Dooj (October-November); through the winter the goddess is worshipped at Kharsali village.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
The road ends at Janki Chatti; from there it is a climb of about 5-6 km to the temple, done on foot, by pony or by palanquin. Buses and taxis run from Dehradun and Rishikesh via Barkot.