Yamunotri

Yamunotri Temple opens on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya (around late April or early May) — the same day as Gangotri — and closes on Bhai Dooj / Yama Dwitiya around late October or early November. During winter the idol of Goddess Yamuna is moved to Kharsali village near Janki Chatti. The Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand traditionally begins with Yamunotri. Confirm the current year's dates before travelling.

The final approach to Yamunotri is a trek of about 5–6 km from Janki Chatti, which is the last motorable point. The climb is steep but well-paved and most pilgrims complete it in 3–4 hours. For those who cannot walk, ponies, palki (palanquins) and porters (pithoo) are available at Janki Chatti. The temple sits at an elevation of about 3,293 m at the foot of the Bandarpunch massif.

The Surya Kund is a natural hot-water spring near the Yamunotri Temple, with water hot enough that pilgrims cook rice and potatoes in cloth bundles dipped into it — the cooked rice (prasad) is then offered to the deity and taken home. Beside it is the Divya Shila, a sacred rock pillar that devotees worship before entering the temple. A dip in the warm waters is considered purifying in the otherwise cold mountain climate.

The true source of the Yamuna is the Champasar Glacier (Yamunotri Glacier) on the Kalind Mountain, located about 1 km above the Yamunotri Temple at roughly 4,421 m. The glacier itself is difficult to reach and rarely visited; most pilgrims worship at the temple, which is regarded as the spiritual seat of Goddess Yamuna, rather than trekking to the glacial source.

Registration for the Char Dham Yatra, including Yamunotri, is mandatory and can be completed online via the Uttarakhand government's official portal (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) or through the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app. Offline counters are available at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Barkot and other points. Carry a valid photo ID and keep your registration confirmation accessible throughout the trip.

Janki Chatti is the road-head for Yamunotri and is reached by road via Dehradun, Mussoorie, Barkot and Hanuman Chatti. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun (about 175 km), and the nearest major railhead is Dehradun. From Janki Chatti, the 5–6 km trek to the temple begins. Most pilgrims base themselves in Barkot or Janki Chatti the night before to start the climb early.

May–June and September–October provide the most favourable weather for the trek and darshan. July and August fall in the monsoon, when the steep trail becomes slippery and landslide-prone, so this period is best avoided. The temple remains closed from around November to April due to heavy snowfall. Begin the trek early in the morning to complete it before afternoon weather sets in.