Your Ultimate Guide to Yamunotri Dham Pilgrimage

Did you know that the Yamuna River makes up the 2nd largest tributary of the Ganges River basin, with a length of 1,376 km?

The national capital, Delhi, gets more than 70% of its water supply from the Yamuna River. Moreover, the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a world-famous tourist hotspot, is surrounded by the river Yamuna, adding to its splendour. In addition to its cultural and economic importance, the river Yamuna holds great spiritual significance for Hindus as it is regarded as one of the sacred rivers that have ties with Lord Krishna’s life, in his birthplace, Mathura.

To honour the source of the River Yamuna, Yamunotri glacier is revered and worshipped by devotees; so the concept of Yamunotri Dham, located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, persists. For completion of their Char Dham Yatra, one needs to visit Yamunotri Temple, as a token of devotion to the river Yamuna.

Rest, this Yamunotri temple guide has all the information listed for Yamunotri Dham darshan, so keep reading.

Yamunotri Dham: A saga of devotion and lifeline

Yamunotri Temple, one of the Char Dham Yatra sites, located in a tranquil setting amidst Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas, has a splendid view of nature. 

Furthermore, the Yamuna River originates from Yamunotri glacier, located at an altitude of 12,972 feet, flowing through the Bandarpanch peaks of the lower Himalayas and making its way through the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi’s vicinity, while also supporting a diverse ecosystem and human life. When the river Yamuna unites with the river Ganga at Prayagraj, the conjunction of the two rivers is called Triveni Sangam.

Religious significance of Yamunotri Dham Darshan

Yamunotri Temple, the first of the Char Dham circuit in Hinduism, is followed by Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath Dham. Like the holy river Ganga, Yamuna is also believed to be venerated in Hinduism. As per Hindu folklore, the Pandavas visited this temple while ascending to heaven.

Yamuna Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna, who’s also the daughter of the Sun God, and sister of Yamaraj & Saranyu. Yamuna is also known as Ravinandini (daughter of Surya) and Kalindi because she gets life from the mountain Kalinda. Significantly, Yamuna water is believed to be sacred, and taking a dip in it helps one liberate from the sins committed in past lives, and removes fear, as Goddess Yamuna is the sister of Yama. According to popular folklore, sage Asit Muni used to take a bath in Yamuna as a part of his everyday ritual while he stayed at Yamunotri Dham.

Also read: Chota Char Dham Yatra: The Journey to Liberation

What is the best time to visit Yamunotri Temple?

Wondering when to visit Yamunotri Temple? 

Yamunotri Temple opens on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya (April) and shuts during Diwali, while the Char Dham Yatra is announced by the administrative body annually. Check out the best time to visit Yamunotri Dham: 

May-June (summer season)

Yamunotri temple opens during the summer season, usually in May on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya. The months of May and June are the peak season to visit Yamunotri temple, with temperatures ranging between 10-20.

July-August (monsoon season)

It is advisable to avoid visiting Yamunotri Temple during the monsoon season as the region receives heavy rainfall, making the area prone to landslides, and the path usually remains waterlogged during rainfall.

October-April (winter season)

Yamunotri Temple remains closed during winters when the idol of Goddess Yamuna is shifted to Kharsali. Moreover, heavy snowfall causes roads to become inaccessible, and the temperature drops to cold.

Yamunotri Temple Darshan Timings & Aarti

Note: The temple remains closed between 12 PM to 2 PM. 

How do I reach Yamunotri Temple? 

Yamunotri Dham has proper connectivity with Rishikesh and Dehradun, via both rail and roadways. Hanuman Chatti, being the starting point of the Yamunotri trek, is well-connected to Rishikesh and Dehradun. Janki Chhatti is the last motorable road, a 6 km long trek starts from here up to Yamunotri. 

With Trip To Temples, you can ditch the conventional ways to reach Yamunotri Dham. We offer you a more comfortable travel option with our Char Dham Yatra helicopter packages, tailored to make it hassle-free and comfortable, via Kharsali, the nearest helipad to Yamunotri.

Here’s how you can reach Yamunotri Temple:

Lesser-known tourist places near Yamunotri Temple you must visit

Here’s a list of picturesque spots, offering panoramic majestic hills views and verdant valleys, that you can explore locally after visiting Yamunotri Temple: 

Surya Kund

It is a natural hot spring located near the temple, and pilgrims take a dip in the holy waters of Surya Kund, which is also used to boil potatoes and rice, offered to the river Goddess Yamuna.

Divya Shila

A sacred rock located close to Yamunotri Temple, which is believed to be venerated by Hindus. The temple of Lord Vishnu is also located close to the rock, which we call Divya Shila.

Hanuman Chatti

It is a quaint little town in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district. The town is named after Lord Hanuman, who crossed this way while searching for Maa Sita. Previously, Hanuman Chatti used to be the starting point for the Yamunotri trek before the road construction.

Saptarishi Kund 

The seven great sages- Atri, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa, Vasistha, and Vishwamitra meditated near the Saptarishi kund; hence, it’s revered as one of the holiest spots in Uttarakhand.

Kharsali

The idol of Goddess Yamuna is shifted to a temple in Kharsali during winter, and devotees visit here to worship Maa Yamuna throughout the season.

Janki Chatti

Janki Chatti, named after Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Ram, is the trekking base and is located 6 km away from the Yamunotri Temple, in Uttarkashi. You can find pony/palki services, accommodation, and other general services for Yamunotri Dham darshan here.

Barkot: 

The scenic town of Barkot offers breathtaking views of hills and meadows, which you can find on your way to Yamunotri Dham. Many pilgrims prefer to stop off at this beautiful location at night for photography and local sightseeing before heading towards Janki Chatti. 

Moreover, Yamuna, a river worshipped by millions and carries profound holiness in its flow. Flowing through Agra, Delhi, and Mathura, the Yamuna River supports a diverse ecosystem while also being a symbol of devotion and sacredness. 

Ready to explore Yamunotri Dham? Take the first step, call us today at +91-8510007751 to plan your pilgrimage to Yamunotri with Trip To Temples. Hurry! Grab the Yamunotri Dham tour package at the best price, now.

People Also Ask

Q1, Where is Yamunotri Temple located?

Ans. Yamunotri temple is located in the Garhwal Himalayas in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.

Q2. What is the distance between Yamunotri to Gangotri?

Ans. The approximate distance between Yamunotri to Gangotri is around 220-227 km. 

Q3. What is the history of Yamunotri Temple?

Ans. According to history, Yamunotri Temple was built by Maharaja Sudarshan Shah, the King of Garhwal Tehri, and reconstructed by Gularia Devi, the queen of Jaipur.

Q4. How difficult is the Yamunotri Trek?

Ans. There is a moderate trek to Yamunotri of about 5-7 km, which involves rocky terrains. On a scale of ten, the difficulty level of the Yamunotri trek might be a five to six.

Q5. How can I reach Yamunotri from Delhi?

Ans. You can reach Dehradun from Delhi, and then travel to Barkot via train/buses upto Janki Chatti and then a trek of 5-6 km upto Yamunotri Temple.