Letstravail
Travel planning content.
Hindu
char dham
3,293 m
Peak season
Yamunotri Temple
Yamuna
Location
Yamunotri, Uttarakhand
Darshan
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Best time
October, November, December
Difficulty
moderate
Est. cost / person
₹7,000
About Yamunotri Temple
Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna river and the first of the Chota Char Dham yatra, traditionally visited before Gangotri. The temple, dedicated to the goddess Yamuna, is reached by a 6 km trek from Janki Chatti through dense forests. Pilgrims cook rice and potatoes wrapped in cloth inside the naturally boiling Surya Kund spring beside the temple — this prasad is carried home as a blessed offering. The spectacular Divya Shila pillar, a natural rock column, is worshipped before entering the temple. The idol is made from black marble representing Yamuna Devi.
The original temple was built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The current structure was rebuilt in the 19th century after repeated flood and avalanche damage. The Naupata Purohit clan has served as priests here for generations.
Darshan & Aarti
Darshan timings
- · 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
🚌 How to reach
By Air
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (215 km)
Flights from Delhi, Mumbai. Taxi to Janki Chatti (base) ~7 hrs via Barkot.
By Rail
Dehradun (165 km) / Rishikesh (186 km)
Taxi from Dehradun or Rishikesh to Janki Chatti ~6 hrs.
By Road
Road motorable to Janki Chatti; then 6 km trek to the temple.
- Dehradun: 165 km · ~5.5h · via Barkot–Janki Chatti on NH-507
- Rishikesh: 186 km · ~6h · via Dharasu–Barkot–Hanuman Chatti
Last mile: 6 km trek from Janki Chatti to the temple (2–3 hrs). Pony (~₹600) and palki available.
Where to stay
Estimated expense (per person)
| Transport | ₹2,800 |
| Stay | ₹3,000 |
| Meals and local travel | ₹1,200 |
| Total | ₹7,000 |
Estimated for a short 2-day pilgrimage.
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