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Yamunotri Temple
Goddess Yamuna · Chota Char Dham · Uttarakhand
॥ ॐ यमुनायै नमः ॥
Yamunotri, set below a glacier in the Uttarkashi Himalaya, is the source-shrine of the river-goddess Yamuna and the first stop of the Chota Char Dham yatra. Reached by a steep climb to the foot of the Bandarpunch peak, the temple sits beside boiling hot springs in which pilgrims cook rice as the goddess’s prasad — a meeting of glacier-cold and earth-fire found at few shrines on earth.
Daughter of the sun
Yamuna is honoured as the daughter of Surya, the sun, and the sister of Yama, the lord of death; by her grace, those who bathe in her are spared an untimely or fearful end. Her shrine marks the holy origin of the river that runs down to the plains to join the Ganga at Prayag.
The hot springs of Surya Kund
Beside the temple bubble hot springs, chief among them the Surya Kund, whose water is near boiling. Pilgrims lower rice and potatoes tied in cloth into the spring to cook, then carry it home as a blessed prasad of the goddess. Nearby stands the Divya Shila, a rock pillar revered and worshipped before one approaches the goddess herself.
A 19th-century mountain shrine
The temple was built in the 19th century under the patronage of the Tehri royal house, and has been renewed after the damage of mountain weather. It opens on Akshaya Tritiya and closes around Diwali, when the image of the goddess is carried down to Kharsali village for the winter worship.
How to reach Yamunotri
- By road and trek: the road runs to Janki Chatti via Barkot; from there a steep trek of about 5–6 km leads up to the temple (ponies and palanquins are available).
- By train: Dehradun and Rishikesh are the nearest railheads.
- By air: Dehradun (Jolly Grant) is the nearest airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the deity at Yamunotri?
Yamunotri is the source-shrine of the river-goddess Yamuna, honoured as the daughter of the sun-god Surya and the sister of Yama, lord of death.
What is special about the hot springs?
Beside the temple are hot springs, chiefly the Surya Kund, near boiling; pilgrims cook rice and potatoes tied in cloth in the spring and carry it home as the goddess’s prasad.
What is the Divya Shila?
The Divya Shila is a revered rock pillar near the temple, worshipped before pilgrims approach the goddess Yamuna herself.
Is there a trek to Yamunotri?
Yes — the road reaches Janki Chatti, from where a steep trek of about 5–6 km leads up to the temple; ponies and palanquins are available.
When is Yamunotri open?
It opens on Akshaya Tritiya in spring and closes around Diwali, when the goddess’s image is taken down to Kharsali village for the winter.
How do I reach Yamunotri?
By road to Janki Chatti via Barkot, then a trek up to the temple. Dehradun and Rishikesh are the nearest railheads, and Dehradun the nearest airport.
॥ जय यमुना मैया ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Goddess Yamuna (daughter of Surya) |
| Significance | Chota Char Dham; source-shrine of the Yamuna |
| Special | Surya Kund hot spring — rice cooked as prasad; Divya Shila |
| Built | 19th c, Tehri royal patronage |
| Access | Trek of ~5–6 km from Janki Chatti |
| Season | Akshaya Tritiya to near Diwali |