About Yamunotri
Yamunotri is the first dham in the Char Dham Yatra and the source of the sacred Yamuna river. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna (Yami), the daughter of the Sun God Surya and twin sister of Yama (God of Death). A dip in the Yamuna at Yamunotri is believed to free pilgrims from fearful death.
The temple sits at 3,293m in the Uttarkashi district and can only be reached by a 6 km trek from Janki Chatti — there is no motorable road to the shrine.
The Trek to Yamunotri
Janki Chatti to Yamunotri (6 km)
- Starting Point: Janki Chatti (2,650m) — road head accessible by vehicle
- Destination: Yamunotri Temple (3,293m)
- Distance: 6 km one way
- Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours up, 2 hours down
- Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
- Pony & Doli: Available from Janki Chatti (₹1,500–₹2,500)
Key Attractions at Yamunotri
Surya Kund (Hot Spring)
The most famous natural hot spring near Yamunotri — water temperature around 88°C (near boiling). Pilgrims cook rice and potatoes in a cloth bag in this spring as an offering to the goddess. The cooked rice is called prasad.
Divya Shila
A sacred rock pillar worshipped before entering the temple. Pilgrims offer prayers at Divya Shila before proceeding for darshan of Goddess Yamuna.
Saptarishi Kund
The actual source of the Yamuna — a high-altitude lake (4,421m) above the Yamunotri glacier, accessible only to experienced mountaineers. The seven sages (Saptarishi) are said to have meditated here.
How to Reach Yamunotri
- By Road to Janki Chatti: 226 km from Dehradun via Vikasnagar, Barkot
- By Road from Haridwar: 230 km — about 8 hours
- Alternative Road Head: Phoolchatti (also 6 km trek to temple)
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun (220 km)
- Nearest Railway: Dehradun (220 km) or Rishikesh (218 km)
Char Dham Yatra Starting Point
Yamunotri is traditionally the first stop of the Char Dham Yatra. After Yamunotri, pilgrims head east to Gangotri (distance: 218 km), then south to Kedarnath, and finally north to Badrinath. The circuit covers approximately 900 km by road.