TirthAtlas

Yamunotri Temple

यमुनोत्री मंदिर

Deity
Yamuna
Location
Yamunotri, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand
Coordinates
31.02° N, 78.45° E
Open
Apr/May to Oct/Nov
Part of
The Yamunotri shrine and its buildings among the trees of the upper Yamuna valley
Photo: AaS / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Significance

Yamunotri, near the source of the Yamuna river, is the first of the four Chota Char Dham of Uttarakhand, which pilgrims traditionally visit from west to east. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Yamuna, whose black marble image is worshipped here. It stands at about 3,290 metres in the western Garhwal Himalaya.

History and legend

The temple has been destroyed twice by snow and floods and rebuilt each time. It opens on Akshaya Tritiya and closes for the winter on Yama Dwitiya, the second day after Diwali.

Near the temple is a hot spring, Surya Kund, said to be hot enough to cook rice and potatoes; pilgrims cook rice here to take home as prasad.

Before you go

  • Register for the yatra before you travel; registration is checked on the route.
  • The trek is steep; start early, and carry rain gear and warm layers even in summer.
  • Spend a night at Barkot or Janki Chatti rather than driving and trekking on the same day.

Photos

Yamunotri temple and ashram beside the river in a steep, forested gorge
Photo: Atarax42 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Yamunotri below the glacier, with snowy slopes above the valley
Photo: Anurag.vq / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Visiting

Open
Akshaya Tritiya, in late April or May. Closes Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya), in October or November. In winter the goddess is worshipped at Kharsali village.
Best time to visit
May to June, and September to October
Darshan timings
Check with the temple before you travel.
Festivals
  • Kapat opening on Akshaya Tritiya (late April or May)
  • Kapat closing on Bhai Dooj (October or November)

Where to stay

Pilgrims usually stay in Barkot and Janki Chatti. Spend the night before the trek at Barkot or Janki Chatti. There are dharamshalas, hotels and GMVN guest houses on the route; prices rise sharply in the summer peak.

Sources

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