Yamunotri is one of the four sacred shrines of the Char Dham Yatra in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the source of the holy Yamuna River and holds great spiritual significance for Hindus. Yamunotri is situated at an altitude of about 3,293 meters (10,804 feet) above sea level.
Overview
Yamunotri is a revered pilgrimage site in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the four sacred destinations in the Char Dham Yatra, along with Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, the goddess of the Yamuna River, which is believed to originate from the Champasar Glacier.
Duration: The typical duration of the Badrinath is 5 to 6 days.
Location: Yamunotri is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It is situated at an elevation of 3,293 meters (10,804 feet) above sea level in the Garhwal Himalayas. Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River, and it is surrounded by breathtaking snow-covered peaks and natural hot springs.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Yamunotri is during May to June and September to October, when the weather is pleasant, and the temple is accessible. The temple remains closed in the winter months due to heavy snowfall.
Opening and Closing Dates: The temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya in April/May and closes after Diwali in October/November.
Near by Yamunotri: “Janki Chatti” About 6 km from Yamunotri, “Hanuman Chatti” About 13 km from Yamunotri, “Saptrishi Kund” About 10 km trek from Yamunotri, “Barkot” About 13 km from Yamunotri, “Uttarkashi” About 123 km from Yamunotri, “Harsil” About 140 km from Yamunotri.
Travel Modes:
- By Road: The road journey takes you to Janki Chatti, which is about 210 km from Dehradun and about 176 km from Rishikesh. From Janki Chatti, the trek begins.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, approximately 210 km away.
- By Train: The nearest railway stations are Dehradun and Rishikesh.
- Trekking: From Janki Chatti, you must trek 5 km to reach the Yamunotri Temple. The trek usually takes about 2–3 hours, depending on your pace.
- Helicopter: Helicopter services to Kharsali (the nearest helipad to Yamunotri) are available from places like Dehradun and Phata. The helicopter ride takes about 10–15 minutes. From Kharsali, a 6 km trek or pony ride will take you to the Yamunotri Temple.
- Pony and Doli: Ponies or mules can be hired at Janki Chatti for the 5 km trek to Yamunotri. For elderly or physically challenged pilgrims, palkis (carried by porters) are available for hire at Janki Chatti for a more comfortable journey to the temple.