About Yamunotri Dham

The Yamunotri temple is usually the first stop-over for the Char Dham Yatra. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Large numbers of devotees visit this shrine during the months of May to October. According to legend, Yamunotri finds special mention in Hindu mythology which was the home of an ancient sage, Asit Muni.

Some of the prime attractions of Yamunotri are the Yamunotri Temple built by Maharani Guleria of Jaipur in the late nineteenth century. There is a small hot water spring at Yamunotri, Rice and potatoes are cooked by pilgrims in this water and served as prasad. Devotees also pay respect to Divya Shila, a rock pillar just before entering the Yamunotri temple.

Yamuna River and Yamunotri

Yamuna is the second largest and one one holiest river in India after Ganga. Yamunotri is part of the four holy abodes in Chardham pilgrimage yatra and worshipped as source of River Yamuna. However, the actual source of Yamuna River lies in the Yamunotri Glacier at a height 6,387 metres near Bandarpunch Peaks in Lower Himalayas.

Pilgrims also get to enjoy a number of hot water springs in the vicinity of the temple. Only Faith, Purity and Sprituial Significence of the river motivate the tourist towards itself. Unique aspects of ritual practice at the site include hot springs where raw rice is cooked and made into prasad.

Yamunotri in Winters

The Temple of Yamunotri Dham is closed during winters after Diwali on 23 Oct 2025, you can check the closing and opening dates here. Winter seat of Yamunotri is located in Kharsali. Know more about Winter Char Dham Yatra, Kharsali Tourism

Activities in Yamunotri

1. Religious tourism :- Yamunotri holds an important pilgrimage place in Hinduism. Explore the holy Yamunotri temple, pray at Divya Shila, and dip into Surya Kund. 

2. Trekking:- The trek to Yamunotri from Jankichatti is a short challenging one. Feel the essence of being surround by the mighty Himalayas and the wonders of nature as you ascend towards Yamunotri.

3.  Photography:- The scenic beauty of Yamunotriis an ideal environment for photography enthusiasts. The wild flora and fora and the white snow are something no photographer should miss capturing in Yamunotri.

4. Village tourism :- The villages around Yamunotri serves as excellent places for exploring Know about the local cuisines and local culture as you hike through the villages.

5. Camping:- Experiencenature on the go with camps set at picturesque locations. Camping around Yamunotri region is a good option for people who love nature and adventure. 

6. Village Tourism:- Visit local villages & learn their culture like food, religious belifs & house architecture

Staying in Yamunotri

There are plenty of accommodation facilities available at the route to Yamunotri. You can stay at Hanuman Chatti or Janki Chatti from where the trek towards Yamunotri begins. There are accommodation options available nearby Hanuman Chatti and Janki Chatti too.

Yamunotri Food Guide

Availability of food isn't a problem at Yamunotri as there are numerous restaurants in the route to Yamunotri. The restaurants serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You'll come across small shops serving tea and lunch even while trekking

History of Yamunotri

The Yamunotri temple is dedicated to goddess Yamuna, the main Deity of the temple is made up of Black marble. Yamunotri temple was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century after the temple has been destroyed by Climate. The Yamunotri Shrine was originally constructed by Maharaj Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal on left seashore of Yamuna River. According to Hindumythology, It is believed that Yamuna is the daughter of Surya the Sun God & the sister of Yama, the god of death

Mythology about Yamunotri

The Yamunotri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, an iconification of the second most sacred river of India, River Yamuna. Goddess Yamuna is the twin sister of Yama, the God of Death and is believed to be the daughter of Surya Dev, the Sun god and Sanghya, the Goddess of Perception.In the Vedas, Goddess Yamuna referred to as Yami, the Lady of life.

The Yamuna was named só by an angry Surya Dev who felt insulted when Goddess Sanghya couldn't see him in the eye due to his dazzling light. She flickered while trying her best to open her eyes in front of Surya Dev. Since Goddess Sanghya had tried to open her eyes, Surya Dev blessed the Yamuna that she would be revered as a goddess and remembered eternally. Goddess Yamuna also inherited the frivolous nature through this incident.

According to legends, the great sage Asti Muni lived as a hermit in the Yamunotri region. He bathed at both Ganga and Yamuna rivers throughout his life but as he became old he couldn't travel to Gangotri. A stream of Ganga emerged opposite to River Yamuna just for his uninterrupted ritual. Yamunotri presents a rare sight of Ganga and Yamuna together.

Kalind Parvat, the mountain peak that lies adjacent to the source of Yamuna River is named after Surya Dev. Surya Dev is also known as Kalind and gushing out of Kalind Parvat, Yamuna is also referred to as Kalindi.

Legend has it that Lord Hanuman after burning Lanka extinguished the fire from his tail in the icy waters of Yamuna at Banderpooch. Hence the peak is called as Bander (monkey) Poocch (tail).

Devotees believe that taking a dip in the holy waters of Yamuna washes out their fear of death and relieves them of their sins. Pilgrims visit Yamunotri temple to seek the blessings of Goddess Yamuna, Yama, Surya Dev, and Goddess Sanghy.

Trekking to Yamunotri Temple

The route of Yamunotri also have a small trekking distance. The trek to Yamunotri Temple begins from Jankichatti. Yamunotri is 6 kms from Jankichatti. Below is the detailed travel guide to Yamunotri Dham of Uttarakhand.

Asit is adorned on the foothills of the Himalayas, Yamunotri is clad in a majestic aura that is accentuated by the meandering meadows, bubbling creeks, turquoise lakes and diverse flora-fauna. Many adventure enthusiasts like to trek here as they are subjugated by the majestic peaks and thick woodlands.

Things to keep in mind before commencing Yamunotri Trek

The trek to Yamunotri Temple is an interesting and an enjoyable one. However, if you don't prepare well, even the best of treks turns out to be a nightmare. It is the small things that you must take care to experience an interesting trek and to ensure that you are travelling responsibly.

Do's:

1. Always start your trek early in the morning. The sunlight at noon at harsh and will make your journey very tiring.

2. Carry a raincoat or an umbrella with you to protect yourself from the unexpected weather changes in the hilly areas.

3. Wear shoes with good grip while trekking. The steeps and the trails can be quite tricky and will require shoes with good grip.

4. Carry water bottles to keep you hydrated throughout the trek. Do not throw them on the road or swung them off from the valley. Respect Mother Nature.

5. Keep your eyes in the trekking route so that the ponies coming back from the temple don't make you pass out.

Don'ts:

1. Do not over carry items in your bag. Carry only the necessary items while trekking. Heavy bag will slow down your speed and tire you faster.

2. Do not walk empty stomach. Doing so will make you journey even harder.

3. Do not throw used water bottles, plastics, and packets in the road or across the valley. Place them in your bag or dispose them off on a trash bin.

4. Do not throw cigarette butts on the road. Doing so will not only pollute the area but also increase the chance of fire. Dispose them properly in the garbage bin.

You'll have your breakfast and begin the trek towards Yamunotri temple early in the morning. The trek to Yamunotri temple from Jankichatti is a 6kms trek and is facilitated with amenities like water points, benches, and resting spots along the routes. You can have tea in the small tea stalls along the way. It will take around 2-3hrs to reach Yamunotri temple.

You'll trek your way through white snow, dense forests, wild flora and fauna, and fascinating streams and lakes. The snow-clad Himalayas surrounds you as you move forward. Though the distance isn't difficult but it does contain some steeps and can be tiring. However, once you reach Yamunotri temple and take in the mesmerizing scene around you, you'll feel extremely content and peaceful. At Yamunotri temple, you can attend the puja ceremony, have your lunch, and explore the area. You'll return back to Jankichatti in the same day and stay there for the night.

Facilities at Yamunotri Trek

During peak seasons, you will find a number of water points, benches, and small sheds on the route to Yamunotri Temple available after every 500mts. During the off season, the trails, however, aren't much facilitated. For ease, you can travel on Palki, Kandi, and mules & ponies till Yamunotri Temple. You have to book them at Jankichatti.

The cost depends on the distance traveled. From Jankichatti to Yamunotri, Dandi will cost Rs 1900. Kandi will cost Rs 840 and Poni Rs 640.

Yamunotri Travel Tips

1. Don't forget to get your Biometric registration before traveling to Yamunotri Temple. You can complete your biometric registration online or at major cities of Uttarakhand or at Jankichatti itself. Keep your AADHAR CARD handy for registration at Jankichatti. Check online process of Char dham bio-metric regisration.

2. The darshan and aarti timings in Yamunotri Temple have a small window so know about them beforehand and plan your visit accordingly. Yamunotri Temple opens at 6am and closes at 8pm for pilgrims. The morning aarti starts at 6:30am and the evening aarti starts at 7:30pm.

3. There are plenty of accommodation facilities available at the route to Yamunotri. Budget and deluxe hotels are available at Hanuman Chatti or Janki Chatti from where the trek towards Yamunotri begins. During peak seasons, hotels are packed. Make sure to book your rooms in advance so that you have a hassle-free stay.

4. Since Yamunotri Temple is located in a high-altitude, it gets extremely cold during winters with snowfall starting from December and lasting till March. The weather remains moderately cold and pleasant during summers. Carry warm winter clothes during winters and don't forget to carry fleece and jacket during summers.

5. Trek to Yamunotri Temple isn't difficult but the route contains some steep slopes. Take careful steps.

6. Only 2G networks on select phones are available in Jankichatti. 3G network is available at Barkot and only BSNL is available at Yamunotri. You can travel on Palki, Kandi, and mules & ponies till Yamunotri Temple. You have to book your ride at Jankichatti itself. From Jankichatti to Yamunotri, Dandi will cost Rs 1900, Kandi will cost Rs 840 and Poni Rs 640

Other Places near and en-route Yamnotri

1. Phool Chatti is a beautiful village surrounded by flowers beaming with an aromatic fragrance, colourful fruit trees, and ayurvedic medicinal plants. The quaint village is situated just 6 km from Hanuman Chatti and 2 km from Janki Chatti.

2. Hanuman Chatti is a scenic hamlet located at the confluence of Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Hanuman Chatti served as the starting point of Yamunotri trek until the construction of motorable roads till Jankichatti. Hanuman Chatti is an ideal getaway for travelers looking for some adventure. It serves as the base point of many treks such as Darwa Top and Dodital Lake trek along with the newly explored trek of Gulabikantha

3. Syanachatti: The small town of Syanachatti is an important stop for people traveling to Yamunotri. Located at a distance of just 22 km from Yamunotri and 16 km from Jankichatti, Syanachatti serves as an optimal place of stay where you can enjoy the beauty of nature without any distractions.

4. Saptrishi Kund Trek: You can extend your trek to Saptrishi Lake which is the original source of River Yamuna.

Yamunotri is also written as jamnotri, Yamnotri, yamanotri or Yamunotry as well.