Daily Hindu Panchang
The first stop of the Char Dham yatra
Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is traditionally the first of the four Dhams visited. A trek of about 6 km from Janki Chatti leads to the temple, with Surya Kund hot water springs beside it.
| Place | Yamunotri, Uttarakhand |
|---|---|
| Known as | Char Dham · source of the Yamuna |
| Best time | May to June and September to October. Opens around Akshaya Tritiya and closes around Bhai Dooj. |
| Time needed | 1 day from Barkot or Janki Chatti |
| Nearest railway | Rishikesh |
| Nearest airport | Jolly Grant, Dehradun |
Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna and the first stop of the Char Dham yatra. The temple of Goddess Yamuna sits at about 3,200 metres, reached by a trek of around 6 km from Janki Chatti, with ponies, palkis and a helicopter option.
It is the smallest of the four Dhams and a good one to start with, since it gets you used to altitude.
The route is Rishikesh or Dehradun to Barkot via Mussoorie and Purola, then Janki Chatti, where the walk begins. Barkot is the standard night halt.
How many days do you have? Pick one and the plan changes.
A short yatra.
A balanced plan.
Two Dhams in a single trip.
Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath.
A small temple of Goddess Yamuna, built in the 19th century and rebuilt after floods. Pilgrims offer rice tied in cloth, cooked in the hot spring Surya Kund, and take it as prasad.
Local tip: The queue can be long in peak season. Go early.
A hot spring beside the temple where rice is boiled, and a rock called Divya Shila that is worshipped before entering the temple.
Local tip: Be careful near the hot water.
The village at the start of the trek with hot springs and rest houses. Many pilgrims stay here to start early.
Local tip: Book your stay in advance in season.
The winter home of Goddess Yamuna and an old village with a famous Shani temple.
Local tip: A quiet stop on the way back.
| May to June | Peak season. |
|---|---|
| September to October | Calmer and clear. |
| Monsoon | Avoid. |
| Winter | Closed. |
Barkot has hotels. Janki Chatti has a few guest houses.
Simple vegetarian. Carry snacks for the trek.
Check the dates for this year on our festival calendar, and choose a shubh time using the muhurat pages.
Darshan timings, booking rules and road conditions change, so confirm them with the temple trust or local authority before you travel.
About 6 km one way from Janki Chatti. Ponies and palkis are available.
Two days from Barkot. Three from Dehradun.
Yes, under the Uttarakhand yatra rules. Carry ID.
No. The goddess is worshipped at Kharsali in winter.
May to June and September to October. Opens around Akshaya Tritiya and closes around Bhai Dooj.
Plan 1 day from Barkot or Janki Chatti.
The nearest railway station is Rishikesh. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun. Check current road and train timings before you travel.
Yamuna Jayanti; Opening day around Akshaya Tritiya.
On 13 November 2026, the tithi is Shukla Chaturthi and Rahu Kaal is 10:40 AM to 12:00 PM, worked out for Yamunotri's own sunrise.
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