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Yamunotri

Yamunotri Dham

The source of River Yamuna, Yamunotri is also one of the four sites of Char Dham pilgrimage. Yamunotri is located at a height of 3293 mts above sea level and located in Uttarkashi district. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides and lies in close proximity of the Indo-China border. It is known for offering peace and tranquillity to its visitors. 

The Bandarpunch Mountain is at a height of 6315 mts and lies north of Yamunotri. Yamunotri is at a distance of 236 km from Rishikesh, 21 km from Sanya Chatti 278 km from Dehradun, and 176 km from Chamba

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Yamunotri Tour Packages

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Yamunotri Dham Opening Date for 2024

Yamunotri Opening Dates in 2024: Yamunotri temple will be opened on 10 May 2024. Last year the temple was opened for Pilgrims on 22 April 2023.

Yamunotri Dham is opened on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya. The opening of the Yamunotri temple is also the beginning of Char Dham Yatra. Gangotri Temple is also opened on the same day.


Yamunotri temple Gates Closing Date 2024: Closing date of Yamunotri temple will be 03 Nov 2024, on the day of Bhai Dooj. Last year Yamunotri Dham was be closed on 15 Nov 2023 at 11:57 am, after the pooja. The closing dates of the Yamunotri temple is announced on the occasion of Dussehra.  The deity of Yamunotri is seated at Kharsali Village of Uttarkashi in the winter session.


Note: To book your Char Dham Yatra for the 2024 season, please visit sacred char dham yatra.

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, 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


Yamunotri Suggested Itinerary - Day to day Guide

Yamunotri Dham is the first temple in the series of char Dham circuit, Hindu pilgrims throughout the world come here for temple darshan and to take the blessing of Yamuna Mata at Yamunotri temple. To reach here, you can book your train to Dehradun which is the nearest railhead to Yamunotri and is the capital of Uttarakhand too. 

From Dehradun, you can do further road distance on private vehicle, booked car, sharable jeeps or in other public transport. The route of Yamunotri also has a small trekking distance. The trek to Yamunotri Temple begins with Jankichatti. Yamunotri is 6 km from Jankichatti. Below is the detailed travel guide to Yamunotri Dham of Uttarakhand.


Day 1: Dehradun – Jankichatti

  • Time taken: Around 6-7hrs (by vehicle)
  • Distance: 180km 

Although you can travel to Yamunotri by private here we will tell you the option of public transport for the common man. At Mussoorie bus stand, near Dehradun railway station, you can get the buses to Barkot which is the nearest town to Yamunotri and transport is easily available from Dehradun to this city. Barkot lies at a distance of about 136kms from Dehradun. You can hire jeeps for Jankichatti from Barkot. Jankichatti is around 45kms from Barkot and it takes around 1.5hrs to reach Janakchatti or use sharable jeeps to reach Jankichatti.

You will have your dinner and rest at Jankichatti today and begin the trek for Yamunotri early in the morning. An accommodation facility is available at Jankichatti for pilgrims.


Beautiful morning view at Janaki Chatti. Photo by Mohan Singh

Day 2: Jankichatti – Yamunotri – Jankichatti

  •  Time taken: 5-6hrs
  •  Distance: 12kms

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 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 on the same day and stay there for the night.


Yamunotri temple on the bank of Yamunotri river. Manish Negi/ Facebook

Day 3: Jankichatti – Dehradun

You’ll return to Dehradun today. Before leaving for Dehradun, you can explore Jankichatti. However, ensure that you leave early for Dehradun as it will take around 7hrs to reach Dehradun.

Yamunotri Travel News

02 Mar 2024
Snowfall Update - Snowfall in Chardham, Harsil on 02 Mar 2024

Around 6 inch snowfall recorded in Harsil on 02 Mar 2024. There has been snowfall in Harsil along with Char Dham in Uttarakhand and other high altitude. Though the Badrinath temple is closed for winters, the opening date of Badrinath has been announced.

20 Feb 2024
Uttarakhand Snowfall Update 20 Feb 2024

Snowfall was reported on Monday in regions such as Kedarnath Dham, including Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Chandrashila, etc. Additionally, light snowfall was observed in tourist spots like Chopta, Dugalbitta and in Deoriatal. 

The phenomenon extended to Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham, Harshil Valley, and other high-altitude areas of Uttarkashi. Despite the snowfall, road movements remained unaffected at present.

25 Nov 2023
Yamunotri Records highest pilgrims footfall ever in 2023

In the year 2023, the sacred pilgrimage site of Yamunotri Dham witnessed an unprecedented surge in devotion, as a remarkable record of 7.3 lakh pilgrims embarked on the spiritual journey to seek blessings and pay homage. 

This notable influx of pilgrims reflects not only the deep-rooted religious significance of Yamunotri but also the growing popularity of this revered destination among devotees.

Activities in Yamunotri

  • Religious tourism : Yamunotri holds an important pilgrimage place in Hinduism. Explore the holy Yamunotri temple, pray at Divya Shila, and dip into Surya Kund.
  • 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.
  • Photography : The scenic beauty of Yamunotri is an ideal environment for photography enthusiasts. The wild flora and flora and the white snow are something no photographer should miss capturing in Yamunotri.
  • 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.
  • Camping : Experience nature on the go with camps set at picturesque locations. Camping around Yamunotri region is a good option for people who love nature and adventure.
  • Village Tourism: Visit local villages & learn their culture like food, religious belifs & house architecture.

Yamunotri Travel Tips

  • Yamunotri is a revered religious town which holds deep spiritual significance to devotees. Maintain the sanctity of the place by refraining from alcohol and non-vegetarian food. 
  • At an elevation of more than 3,200 metres, the weather at Yamunotri remains chilly throughout the year. Carry ample woolens when visiting the region.
  • Tourists and pilgrims should inquire about the weather and road conditions especially during the monsoons, before planning their visit to the Yamunotri shrine. Incessant rains often block the roads and disrupt traffic.
  • Due to religious beliefs, photography may be prohibited inside the temple, especially inside sanctum sanctorum. Please abide by the guidelines outlined by temple authorities.

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 Hindu mythology, 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 so 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:

  • Always start your trek early in the morning. The sunlight at noon at harsh and will make your journey very tiring.
  • Carry a raincoat or an umbrella with you to protect yourself from the unexpected weather changes in the hilly areas.
  • Wear shoes with good grip while trekking. The steeps and the trails can be quite tricky and will require shoes with good grip.
  • 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.
  • Keep your eyes in the trekking route so that the ponies coming back from the temple don’t make you pass out.

Don’ts:

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Trek to Yamunotri Temple isn’t difficult but the route contains some steep slopes. Take careful steps.
  • 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.
Photo by Siddhant Uniyal via Facebook : Yamunotri Temple - May 2019

Other Places near and en-route Yamunotri

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

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.

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.

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.

Latest Yamunotri 2024 News & Travel Updates

23 Feb 2023:Uttarakhand Govt has approved construction of a ropeway to Yamunotri. The 3.3 km long ropeway will span between Kharsali and Yamunotri. The carrying capacity of the ropeway would be 500 pilgrim per hour. It will reduce the travelling time to 15 mins.
27 June 2022: Around than 7.5 lakhs pilgrims visited Yamunotri Dham this year in just two months.
08 Nov 2021:Yamunotri and Gangotri Dham will be seen in new form, 45 crore approved for both. 35 crore for Yamunotri Dham and 10 Crore for Gangotri Dham.
06 Nov 2021:Yamunotri Dham is now closed for winter months.
15 October 2021:Crowd of pilgrims gathered at Jankichatti to visit Yamunotri Dham.
15 October 2021: Yamunotri Dham will be closed on 6 Nov 2021 for winters.
5 Oct 2021:Yamunotri Temple is now open for everyone. You can visit the temple without registration. Do follow some basic char dham guidelines
Yamunotri Dham Yatra will start from 1st July in 2 phases: From July 1, the Yamunotri temple will be opened for locals from Uttarkashi district only. In second phase beginning July 11, the Yamunotri yatra will be opened for people across the Uttarakhand state. Later it will be opened for All India tourists and pilgrims.
05 February 2021: Yamunotri Dham has covered with a snowy blanket.
18 November 2020: Yamunotri Temple closed on 16th November 2020 for winters on the occation of Bhai Dooj.
16 October 2020: Yamunotri Yatra starts after 9 days on 15 October. The Yamunotri trekking route was closed due to landslide.
05 October 2020: Uttarakhand relaxes cap on daily pilgrims for Yamunotri, e-passes to continue in Unlock 5.0. 
04 October 2020: Government increases the devotees limit for Yamunotri Temple upto 700  
29 September 2020: No Covid test report needed to visit Yamunotri. 

Yamunotri Photo Gallery

Yamunotri temple in Monsoon.
Yamunotri Dham Uttarakhand
Ma Yamuna temple at Yamunotri Dham.
यमुनोत्री मंदिर, उत्तरकाशी |
Side view of Yamunotri Dham with Snow Peaks at the back
Yamunotri Dham
Yamnotri temple 300 mts ahead
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Yamunotri Weather

Check out the Yamunotri weather report for March

Yamunotri Weather in March

The minimun and maximum temperature in March in Yamunotri is 3°C and 9°C respectively. The weather is generally chances of snowfall in March and you would feel chilling cold throughout the day. Heavy Woolen clothes are recommended for Yamunotri in March.

What is Yamunotri famous for?

Yamunotri is famous among tourist as Temple, Char Dham, Trekking, Scenic Beauty, Pilgrimage.

Yamunotri is recommended destination for Family and Kids, Foreigners, Groups, Solo.

Yamunotri is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Char Dham Yatra, Pilgrimage, Temples, Trekking.

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