shakti · Uttarakhand

Yamunotri Dham

यमुनोत्री धाम

Presiding deity: Goddess Yamuna (daughter of Surya, sister of Yama)

Established: Original shrine pre-historic; current temple rebuilt 19th century by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur

Darshan timings

06:00–12:00, 14:00–20:00 IST (Akshaya Tritiya opening to Bhai Dooj closing)

Average wait

30 mins–2 hours; longer on weekends and Yamuna Jayanti

Best season

May–June and September–October (closed Nov–April due to snow)

Daily visitors

3,000–8,000 in season (peak: 15,000+ on Akshaya Tritiya opening day)

Significance

First of the Char Dham circuit (clockwise). Bathing in Yamuna here grants liberation from yamic afflictions per Skanda Purana.

Legend

Sage Asit Muni meditated here; Yamuna emerged as a stream to bathe him in old age when he could no longer descend to Ganga. She vowed never to leave this spot.

How to reach

Janki Chatti motorable end (210 km from Dehradun) → 6 km trek/pony/palki to Yamunotri temple. Helicopter from Sahastradhara/Phata available.

Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (210 km)

Nearest railway: Rishikesh (200 km) or Dehradun (175 km)

Where to stay

GMVN tourist rest houses at Hanuman Chatti / Janki Chatti / Yamunotri; budget dharamshalas + camps. Book May-Jun + Sep early.

Primary pujas performed here

Surya Kund chawal prasad
Yamuna Abhishek
Aarti
Pind Daan

What to offer: Rice cooked in the hot Surya Kund spring then offered to deity (signature ritual), red chunari, coconut, flowers

Dress code

Warm modest clothing; remove shoes at temple entrance. Trek shoes for the 6 km uphill.

Photo policy

Permitted in temple complex; not inside sanctum

Modern access

Annual pilgrim count 4-5 lakh. Yamuna source actually at Champasar Glacier (1 km higher, inaccessible) — temple at the perennially hot Surya Kund. Heli-darshan reduces trek to 30 mins.

✓ Online booking available

Nearby tirthas

Gangotri (220 km)
Hanuman Chatti
Saptarishi Kund
Divya Shila
Surya Kund