Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri Temple is situated in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Yamunotri Temple is around 3,293 meters above sea level on the west side of the Garhwal Himalayas

Yamunotri stands proudly with its giant mountain peaks. Other than this, it is known for its glaciers and the gracefully flowing waters of Yamuna.

The second most sacred river of India is the Yamuna River. It originates from Yamunotri. Thus making it one of the pilgrimage sites in the sacred tour of Char Dham Yatra 2023 in Uttarakhand.

The revered goddess Yamuna is the daughter of the Sun. And Also, she is the twin sister of Yamaraj (the god of death). Also, in Vedas, Yamuna is known as Yami (the lady of life).

Yamunotri Temple in Uttarakhand

Some major facts and information about the Yamunotri Temple.

A bath in the pious waters of Yamuna is believed to cleanse all sins. Thus it protects from an untimely and painful demise. So Hindu mythology places Yamuna Devi (goddess) in high ranks of divinity.

History of Yamunotri Temple

The legends say that the saint Asit Muni used to live here. He bathed all his life only in Yamuna and Ganga. After that when he became old. Then he was not able to go to Gangotri for the bath.

And then for him, a stream of Ganga came opposite the stream of Yamunotri. Other than this, Yamuna is believed to be the mother of human beings. It gives nourishment to the people.

• King of Tehri Sudarshan Shah built the Yamunotri Temple in 1839. Later on, King Pratap Shah build the modern structure of the temple.
• However, the temple was damaged several times due to an earthquake. And then Maharani Gularia of Jaipur reconstructed this temple in the late 19th century.

God Sun gifted her daughter (Yamunotri) a hot water spring. Which is situated near Divyasheela. Pilgrims take bath in Taptakund and cook potatoes and rice in Suryakund as well.

History of Char Dham

• History of Badrinath
• History of Kedarnath
• History of Gangotri
• History of Yamunotri

Source of River Yamuna Origin

It is most famous for the thermal springs found there. The original source of the river is a frozen lake and glacier. This is positioned at Kalin Mountain. The Altitude of this mountain is about 4421 meters.

The shrine is termed highly sanctified. Because it is believed that the sins of the devotees wash away through visiting this shrine. There is a trek to reach this place.

Yamunotri Yatra 2023

Yamunotri Yatra usually opens in May or June and continues till October or November, depending on weather conditions.

This year Yamunotri Temple’s opening date is scheduled to be open on April 22, 2023.

To visit Yamunotri Yatra, you will need to reach the town of Hanuman Chatti or Janki Chatti, from where you can start the trek to Yamunotri Temple. The trek is of moderate difficulty and takes around 6-7 hours, covering a distance of approximately 6 km.

Travel Guide for Char Dham

• Kedarnath Yatra 2023 Guide
• Badrinath Yatra 2023 Guide 
• Gangotri Yatra 2023 Guide
• Yamunotri Yatra 2023 Guide 

How to Reach Yamunotri Temple?

The Yamunotri Temple is located in the western Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India. To reach the temple, you can follow these steps:

• Visit Yamunotri By Air: The nearest airport to Yamunotri is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is located at a distance of around 210 km. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to Hanuman Chatti or Janki Chatti and start the trek to Yamunotri Temple.

• Visit Yamunotri By Train: The nearest railway station to Yamunotri is Haridwar railway station, which is located at a distance of around 215 km. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to Hanuman Chatti or Janki Chatti and start the trek to Yamunotri Temple.

• Visit Yamunotri By Road: Hanuman Chatti and Janki Chatti are the two towns from where the trek to Yamunotri Temple begins. These towns are well-connected by road with major cities like Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. You can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Hanuman Chatti or Janki Chatti and start the trek to the temple.

Char Dham Yatra starts with a visit to Yamunotri Dham. After a 36 km drive from Barkot, then followed by a 7 km trek. In addition, Barkot is just about 100 km from the Gangotri Dham. And Barkot village is in the Uttarkashi district.

Please note that the last 6 km of the journey to Yamunotri Temple is a trek and can only be covered on foot or on a pony. The trek is of moderate difficulty and takes around 6-7 hours, covering a distance of approximately 6 km.