Yamunotri Temple

When it is open

In 2026 the doors opened on Akshaya Tritiya, 19 April, at 12:35 pm. By custom they close on Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya), which falls on 11 November in 2026; the closing time is announced every year (in 2025 the dates were announced on Vijayadashami). In 2025 the doors closed on 23 October, Bhai Dooj, at 12:30 pm.

Source: newsonair.gov.in·Checked: 5 October 2026

The goddess Yamuna

According to Uttarakhand Tourism, Yamuna is held to be the daughter of Surya and the sister of Yama; the Vishnu Purana (3.2) also counts Yama and Yami (Yamuna) among Surya’s children. Because of this bond Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya) is Yamuna’s festival, and Yamunotri closes on that day. According to the Uttarkashi district website the river rises on Kalindi Parvat in the Bandarpunch range, and the image of Yamuna in the temple is black.

Surya Kund and the Divya Shila

Near the temple are two hot springs: Surya Kund, whose water is boiling, and Gauri Kund, whose water is lukewarm (Uttarkashi district). According to the Uttarakhand government’s Char Dham portal, devotees cook rice and potatoes in the Surya Kund as an offering to the goddess, and worship the Divya Shila, a rock near the temple, before entering the shrine.

In winter the goddess’s palanquin goes to Kharsali village, where she is worshipped until spring; Kharsali also has an old temple of Shani Dev (All India Radio; Char Dham portal).

How to reach Yamunotri

• The road runs from Dehradun, Rishikesh or Haridwar via Barkot to Janki Chatti; from Janki Chatti a footpath of about 6 km leads to the temple. By road it is about 210 km from Rishikesh and about 220 km from Haridwar to Janki Chatti (Char Dham portal).
• Rail: the stations are Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar; according to Uttarkashi district the nearest, Dehradun, is about 200 km away.
• Pilgrims register on the Uttarakhand government site registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.

Main festivals

Where the sources differ

• Height: the Char Dham portal gives 3,293 m and Uttarkashi district 3,292 m; Uttarakhand Tourism about 3,233 m.
• Who built the temple: according to the Char Dham portal the original temple was built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal; Uttarakhand Tourism gives the year 1839 and names no king.
• Walking distance: the Char Dham portal gives 6 km from Janki Chatti; Uttarakhand Tourism’s page gives 6 km in one place and lower figures elsewhere. According to Uttarakhand Tourism the actual source of the river is the Saptarishi Kund lake, about 10 km above the temple.

Frequently asked questions