Yamunotri Dham Yatra – Complete Guide To Yamunotri Temple
One of India's most revered sites for Yatra or pilgrimage is Yamunotri Dham- the first stop of the illustrious four pilgrimage sites known as the Yamunotri temple, Uttarakhand. It is at an altitude of roughly 3293 m and is one of the few temples dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, the revered river worshipped by millions of Indians throughout India.
Yamunotri Dham Yatra offers a quiet and peaceful setting with stunning views of the mountains, hot springs filled with mineral-rich water and an atmosphere conducive to spiritual exploration – making the Yatra there an experience unlike any other on earth. Every year, thousands upon thousands of pilgrims from around the world throng to this sacred site seeking the blessings of the goddess whilst commencing their journey through the Char Dham Yatra Guide in Uttarakhand.
This comprehensive Yamunotri Dham Travel Guide will provide you everything you need to know about your visit to the Yamunotri Temple (opening times, dates when it will be open for visits, travel directions to get there, trekking routes used, best time to visit yamunotri dham to visit Yamunotri Dham, nearby attractions, details about the local weather etc.) as well as some travel tips to assist with the planning and execution of your trip.
About Yamunotri Dham
The holy river Yamuna has its origin at Yamunotri, which is one of the most sacred places in Hindu religion. There is a story in Hindu mythology about Goddess Yamuna being the daughter of Surya Dev (God of the Sun) and the sister of Yama, (God of Death). It is said that those who bathe in the waters of the river will be protected from premature deaths and that their soul will be cleansed.
In reality, however, the true origin of river yamuna yamunotri, is the Champasar Glacier, which is near Kalind Mountain and at an altitude of approximately 4421 meters. Because of the relatively difficult trail leading up to the glacier, as well as harsh weather conditions, worshipers do not usually to go the glacier, but instead to the Yamunotri Temple.
Yamunotri Temple was built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal and has undergone several renovations over time due to damage from weather and other disasters.
Detailed Yamunotri Dham Information
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Temple Name | Yamunotri Dham |
| Location | Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand |
| Altitude | 3,293 meters |
| Main Deity | Goddess Yamuna |
| Opening Date | Akshaya Tritiya (April/May) |
| Closing Date | Bhai Dooj (October/November) |
| Temple Opening Time | 6:00 AM |
| Temple Closing Time | 8:00 PM |
| Darshan Timing | 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Entry Fee | No entry fee |
| Nearest Airport | Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun |
| Nearest Railway Station | Dehradun / Haridwar Railway Station |
| Trek Distance | 6 km from Janki Chatti |
| Trek Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Best Time to Visit | May to June & September to October |
| Major Attractions | Surya Kund, Divya Shila, Janki Chatti, Hanuman Chatti |
| Famous For | Origin of River Yamuna and Char Dham Yatra |
| Transportation Options | Taxi, Bus, Pony, Palki, Helicopter (nearby sectors) |
Yamunotri Dham Opening Date and Closing Date
The Yamunotri Dham usually opens on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, which falls either in the month of April or May of each year, and generally will remain open for approximately six months.
The Yamunotri Dham will typically close on Bhai Dooj after Diwali, which occurs either during the months of October or November, because of the anticipated heavy snow in the months of October or November.
Travelers who plan a char dham yatra yamunotri trip should always verify the current temple opening schedule prior to commencing their journey.
Yamunotri Temple Timing and Darshan Timing
Temple Timing: Yamunotri temple hours are generally as follows:
Morning Darshan: 6am to 2pm
Evening Darshan: 3pm to 8pm
The Yamunotri Dham darshan timing may slightly vary depending on weather conditions and temple management decisions during peak pilgrimage season.
The morning and evening aarti at the Yamunotri Temple is a spiritual and uplifting experience that attracts thousands of pilgrims every day.
How to Reach Yamunotri Dham
Yamunotri Dham is located in the Himalayas and can only be reached via road and trekking trails on your Yamunotri pilgrimage.
Air Travel
Air Travellers should fly into Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport which is 210 km away from Janki Chatti.
Train Travel
Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh are the nearest train stations to Yamunotri Dham.
Road Travel
Road access to Yamunotri Dham is available from the major Uttarakhand townships of Haridwar, Rishikesh, Barkot and Janki Chatti.
Yamunotri Trek Route
The trek to Yamunotri Dham from Janki Chatti is approximately six km in one direction, through beautiful and scenic valleys, waterfalls, forests, and mountains.
There are several options for completing the Yamunotri trek:
Walking
Pony
Palki/Doli
Service of a Pithu
Yamunotri Yatra Route Map
Yamunotri yatra is a process followed by worshippers from Delhi to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Barkot, Janki Chatti, and lastly arriving at the Yamunotri temple as a main route for this journey. With respect to the journey and the great sites of Uttrakhand often visiting our temples, it makes perfect sense to go to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath as part of the uttrakhand char dham yatra guide.
The best time to visit Yamunotri
May through June or from September through October.
While the summer months of May through June provide milder temperatures with excellent conditions for trekking as well as unobstructed views of the mountains, these two months are generally the peak pilgrimage season. The months of July and August can be extremely rainy; with resultant landslides and making trekking very difficult. However, the months of September and October offer comfortable weather conditions with fewer people than during summer, making for perfect photography and pilgrimage opportunities.
For the remainder of the year, the temple is closed for the winter with extremely heavy snowfall.
Yamunotri Weather and Temperature
Climate and Climate at the Yamunotri shrine
Since Yamunotri is at a high elevation, it always has a cool climate.
Temperature per season
Course of study for 2020
Summer: high of 20 degrees Celsius / low of 10 degrees Celsius
Monsoon: high of 15 degrees Celsius / low of 8 degrees Celsius
Winter: below 0 degrees Celsius
Therefore, tourists should bring warm clothing when visiting during summer as well.
Places to Visit Near Yamunotri
There are numerous religious and naturally beautiful locations that can be visited on the pilgrimage to Yamunotri Dham.
Surya Kund
When visiting this temple, pilgrims can use the hot springs at Surya Kund to cook rice and potatoes as offerings to the gods.
Divya Shila
The sacred stone called Divya Shila is found outside of the temple and pilgrims should worship this before entering.
Janki Chatti
Janki Chatti is a common starting point for the journey to Yamunotri with a variety of hotels and restaurants and guesthouses.
Hanuman Chatti
Hanuman Chatti is a picturesque area surrounded by both mountains and rivers.
Barkot
Barkot is a relaxing town located on the hillside that offers beautiful views of the Himalayas and a variety of lodging.
Yamunotri Tourism Guide for Pilgrims
Hopefully this guide assists your travels as you enjoy visiting Yamunotri with ease and comfort.
Yamunotri Travel Essentials
- Dress in warm layers (coat, hat, gloves and boots)
- Bring appropriate shoes for trekking
- Start hiking early
- Bring your medicine(s), toiletries and other items with you
- Drink plenty of water while hiking
- Avoid trekking during periods of heavy rain
- During peak season, you should book your lodging and transportation prior to your arrival.
Importance of Yamunotri in Char Dham Yatra
For Hindus, the Yamunotri Yatra is a very holy place. The pilgrimage by many who wish to make a pilgrimage to the Char Dham pilgrimage begins at Yamunotri, continues to Gangotri, then to Kedarnath and then to Badrinath.
Devotional and spiritual journeys through Yamunotri Dham are some of the many benefits from taking part on a pilgrimage, and many individuals visit Yamunotri annually to experience peace, to receive blessings and find spiritual awakening.
Yamunotri Dham Yatra Registration
All pilgrims who wish to travel to Yamunotri Dham must complete an online or offline registration in order to begin their journey. Registration is important in providing both crowd control and the safety of pilgrims throughout the duration of your Yamunotri Yatra.
Skyline Holidayz offers customized pilgrimage packages to Yamunotri Dham which include transportation, accommodation, guide services, and full Char Dham travel assistance for an easy-to-experience spiritual pilgrimage. You can reserve your pilgrimage to Yamunotri Dham through one of the affordable tours and take advantage of a safe, memorable, and blessed time in the Himalayas.
Faqs
1. What is the best time to visit Yamunotri Temple?
The ideal time to visit Yamunotri Temple is from May to June and September to October, as these months have pleasant temperatures that make for a good pilgrimage experience.
2. What is the distance from the road to Yamunotri Temple?
The trek to Yamunotri Temple starts at Janki Chatti and is approximately 6 km (one way).
3. When is the temple open?
Yamunotri Temple is typically open every day from 6:00 AM until 8:00 PM; guests are asked not to be in the temple during the afternoon break.
4. How do I get there?
To get to Yamunotri Dham by road, you would go to Janki Chatti and then walk the rest of the way (approx. 6 km) on foot, or use a pony or palki.
5. Is there a date for the opening of Yamunotri Temple?
Generally the opening date for Yamunotri Dham occurs on Akshaya Tritiya in April or May of each year.
6. Is there an entry fee to enter the temple?
There is no entry fee to Yamunotri Temple. For more information contact Skyline Holidayz on info@skylineholidayz.com or connect us on whatsapp +91 9220386690.
7. What river originates from Yamunotri?
Yamunotri is the source of the River Yamuna, which originates from the Champasar Glacier near Yamunotri (Uttarakhand).