Yamunotri Travel Guide

Yamunotri, at about 3,293 metres, marks the source of the Yamuna river and is the first stop on the traditional Char Dham circuit. The present temple was built in the 19th century by the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal; the river's actual source, the Champasar glacier, lies further up and isn't accessible to visitors. Most pilgrims reach the shrine on a roughly 5 to 6 kilometre trek or pony ride from Janki Chatti, the last motorable point. Beside the temple, the hot spring Surya Kund draws steady attention: pilgrims tie rice or potatoes in cloth and dip them in to cook before offering them at the shrine. The nearby Divya Shila, a rock pillar worshipped before entering the temple, is part of the same ritual stop. Yamunotri opens for a few months from spring and closes again as winter snow sets in.

Yamunotri has to be reached by a 6 km trek which starts from Jankichatti. The 2.5 hours trek can be done on foot, mule, palanquin or pithoo (carrier). The yatra to Yamunotri is usually completed in one day.

Yamunotri temple remains open for 6 months each year. On Akshya Tritiya, the idol of Ma Yamuna is shifted to the Yamunotri Temple from Khushimath. On Bhai Dooj, the idol is returned to Khushimath for the next 6 months. The opening of Yamunotri Temple marks the beginning of Char Dham yatra each year. The temple remains open from 6 AM - 8 PM. Aarti Timing is 6:30 AM and 7:30 PM.

The other attractions at Yamunotri are the Tapta Kunda (where the pilgrims take a bath before visiting the temple), Draupadi Kunda, Surya Kunda, and Divya Shila. According to Hindu mythology, the devotees who do this pilgrimage with utmost devotion and purity are relieved from the cycle of life and death.