Yamunotri Temple
Yamunotri, Uttarakhand
Yamunotri Temple is the first stop of the Char Dham yatra and the source shrine of the river Yamuna, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. It sits high in the Garhwal Himalayas and is reached by a trek of about 6 km from Janki Chatti, the last place a vehicle can go. Hot springs, a sacred rock and the sound of the river make the arrival feel like a reward for the climb.
What to see and do
- Trek from Janki Chatti to the temple on foot, or hire a pony or palki, a walk of about 2 to 4 hours one way
- Have darshan of Goddess Yamuna and join the aarti if timings allow
- Visit Surya Kund, the hot spring where pilgrims boil rice and potatoes in a cloth as prasad
- See Divya Shila, the sacred rock pillar that pilgrims worship before entering the temple
- Wash in the warm water of the spring beside the temple, if you wish
Ideal for
- Pilgrims doing the full Char Dham
- Devotees of the river goddesses
- Walkers who enjoy a Himalayan trek with a clear purpose
Good to know
- Sources give darshan timings of roughly 6 am to 8 pm, so check locally
- The trek is steep in places, and ponies, palkis and carriers are available at your own cost
- Start early, wear shoes with a good grip and carry rain gear and a warm layer
- The temple is open only in the pilgrimage season, roughly from late April or May to early November, and the dates change each year
- In winter the goddess is moved down to Kharsali village
Spiritual significance
Yamunotri is the first of the four Char Dham in the usual order of the yatra, and it is the origin of the Yamuna, which tradition calls the sister of Yama. Pilgrims begin here with a bath and prayers before going on to Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Why it matters
- Source of the Yamuna: the river goddess is worshipped at the place she is said to rise
- First of the Char Dham: the starting point of the western-to-eastern yatra
- Hot springs and sacred rock: Surya Kund and Divya Shila are part of the ritual
- Effort as an offering: the climb itself is part of the pilgrimage