Overview
Yamunotri temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya (Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya) each year — approximately 26 April 2026. It is the first Char Dham to open in the traditional pilgrimage order. Yamunotri and Gangotri open on the same day, making it possible to start the Char Dham Yatra with both shrines in the opening week. Closing: Bhai Dooj (~10 November 2026), the same day as Kedarnath.
| Year | Opening Date | Closing Date | Season Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 May | 27 October | 177 days |
| 2023 | 22 April | 15 November | 207 days |
| 2024 | 10 May | 2 November | 176 days |
| 2025 | 30 April | 21 October | 174 days |
| 2026 (est.) | ~26 April | ~10 November | ~198 days |
Planning
Char Dham opening sequence:
Yamunotri (Day 1, Akshaya Tritiya) → Gangotri (Day 1, same day) → Kedarnath (Day 3, Akshaya Tritiya + 2) → Badrinath (Day 4–5). Pilgrims who follow the full sequence visit Yamunotri on the opening day of the season, then drive to Gangotri the same day or next morning for the identical Akshaya Tritiya opening there. The opening ceremonies at both Yamunotri and Gangotri on Akshaya Tritiya are attended by thousands of devotees.
Kharsali — Yamuna Devi's winter home:
Kharsali village (8 km from Janki Chatti, near Barkot) holds the Shani Dev temple which serves as the winter shrine for Yamuna Devi. The connection: Shani (Saturn), son of Surya, is Yamuna's brother — making the Shani temple the deity's family home in winter. After the Yamunotri closing ceremony on Bhai Dooj, the utsav murti is taken in a ceremonial procession from Yamunotri to Kharsali where it stays until the following Akshaya Tritiya. Pilgrims can visit the goddess at Kharsali year-round, even in deep winter.
Travel Tips
- Akshaya Tritiya crowds: The opening day (Akshaya Tritiya ~26 April) draws the year's largest single-day crowd at Yamunotri — often 5,000–10,000 pilgrims on the trail. The Janki Chatti to Yamunotri trail is shoulder-to-shoulder. If you want the opening ceremony experience: plan to be in Janki Chatti the day before. Start the trek by 5:30–6:00 AM. If you want a comfortable early-season visit: go 1–2 weeks after Akshaya Tritiya when the rush subsides.
- Visit Kharsali in winter: Kharsali village is accessible year-round and is a peaceful, uncrowded alternative to the main temple. The Shani Dev–Yamuna Devi connection makes it a unique spiritual site. GMVN Barkot (8 km from Kharsali) is the nearest accommodation option for a winter visit.
Accommodation
- Opening week: book Barkot accommodation 8–10 weeks ahead. Janki Chatti: fully booked.
- Regular May season: book 4–6 weeks ahead for GMVN Barkot.
- September: 1–2 weeks ahead usually sufficient.
FAQs
- When does Yamunotri open in 2026?
- ~26 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya) — same day as Gangotri. First Char Dham to open. Opening ceremony: idol procession from Kharsali + kapaat opening with Vedic rituals. Confirm exact date at yamunotridham.in or Uttarakhand Tourism.
- When does Yamunotri close in 2026?
- ~10 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj, 2 days after Diwali) — same day as Kedarnath. Idol procession to Kharsali village for winter. Closes 2 days after Gangotri (which closes on Diwali).
- What is the Kharsali village connection to Yamunotri?
- Kharsali (near Barkot, 8 km from Janki Chatti) — Yamuna Devi's winter home at the Shani Dev temple (Shani is her brother — both children of Surya). Accessible year-round. Idol returns to Yamunotri every Akshaya Tritiya. Winter darshan available at Kharsali.