Yamunotri
Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India • 31.01°N, 78.46°E
📖 About Yamunotri
- ✦At 4,013 metres, Yamunotri stands as the highest of the four Char Dham sites
- ✦Temple opens April 30 (Akshaya Tritiya), closes October 23, remains shut November through April
- ✦Actual trek is 6 km from Janki Chatti; ponies and palanquins available throughout route
- ✦July and August bring over 200 mm monthly rainfall plus landslide risks on approach roads
The Char Dham yatra starts at Yamunotri, where the Yamuna River emerges from the Champasar Glacier at 4,421 metres. From Janki Chatti at 2,650 metres, you climb 6 km through pine forests to reach the temple at 3,293 metres (the 4,013-metre elevation refers to the broader area). May temperatures range from -5.1°C (22.8°F) at night to 13.9°C (57°F) during the day. The temple complex includes two thermal springs - Surya Kund at 190°C (374°F) where pilgrims cook rice and potatoes as prasad, and Gauri Kund where you bathe before entering the temple.
The current temple dates to 1839, rebuilt by Jaipur's Sudarshan Shah after an earthquake destroyed the original structure. Unlike Kedarnath or Badrinath, Yamunotri draws smaller crowds - around 600,000 pilgrims annually compared to Badrinath's 1.2 million. The route passes Divya Shila, a rock pillar worshipped before entering the main temple. At Janki Chatti, hot water springs provide natural bathing pools. The Hanuman Chatti bridge marks where the Hanuman Ganga meets the Yamuna, 13 km before Janki Chatti.
This trek suits anyone who can walk 6 km uphill over 3-4 hours at altitude. The path is paved but steep in sections. Mobile connectivity drops after Barkot. Only three ATMs function reliably - at Barkot 45 km away - and most dhabas take cash only.
🎯 Things to Do in Yamunotri
The 6 km paved trail from Janki Chatti climbs 650 metres through deodar forests, passing tea stalls every kilometre. Ponies cost Rs 900-1,200 one way, palanquins (dolis) Rs 2,400-3,000, and porters Rs 800-1,000 (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Most pilgrims complete the ascent in 3-4 hours, descent in 2 hours. May and early June mornings see 200-300 trekkers; September post-monsoon brings clearer skies but overnight temperatures around -0.3°C (31.5°F).
Surya Kund sits directly below the temple, a thermal spring at 190°C (374°F) where pilgrims tie rice and potatoes in cloth to cook as prasad in 15-20 minutes. Gauri Kund, 20 metres away at a tolerable 40-45°C (104-113°F), is where you bathe before temple entry. The water smells of sulphur. Bathing is mandatory per tradition, though temple priests do not enforce it strictly. Morning hours from 6-9 AM see the longest queues, with 30-40 minute waits in May and June.
This 4-metre rock pillar stands 50 metres before the main temple entrance, representing the divine energy of the river source. Pilgrims offer prayers here first, as per tradition established centuries ago. No entry fee applies. The area around Divya Shila gets extremely crowded between 9 AM and 2 PM when the majority of pilgrims arrive. Early morning or post-3 PM visits allow you to complete rituals without jostling through crowds.
The Yamuna's glacial source lies 11 km beyond Yamunotri temple at 4,421 metres, a tough single-day trek requiring 10-12 hours round trip. You need a forest permit from the Uttarkashi DFO office, which costs Rs 500-750 per person and takes 2-3 days to process (confirm locally — rates vary by season). The trail is unmarked beyond the temple; hiring a local guide costs Rs 2,000-2,500 per day. Only experienced trekkers should attempt this - altitude sickness hits hard above 4,000 metres, and no rescue services operate on this route.
At 2,400 metres and 13 km before Janki Chatti, this village marks where the Hanuman Ganga river meets the Yamuna at a rocky confluence. A small temple dedicated to Hanuman sits on the western bank. The drive from Barkot to Hanuman Chatti takes 40-50 minutes on a narrow road. Basic dhabas serve rajma-chawal and parathas. Most travellers stop here for 15-20 minutes during the drive up; staying overnight makes sense only if road conditions ahead deteriorate.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | -21.9 | 1.5 | 43 | 66% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | -21.1 | 3.6 | 42 | 70% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | -16.8 | 7.1 | 53 | 74% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | -10.9 | 10.3 | 42 | 69% |
| May | 🌤️ | -5.1 | 13.9 | 59 | 69% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | -1.5 | 16.4 | 90 | 74% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 3.1 | 16.8 | 229 | 87% |
| Aug | 🌧️ | 3.4 | 15.7 | 208 | 88% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | -0.3 | 14.2 | 111 | 80% |
| Oct | 🧊 | -7.2 | 11.1 | 19 | 65% |
| Nov | 🧊 | -11.5 | 7.5 | 9 | 55% |
| Dec | 🧊 | -17.8 | 5.0 | 12 | 53% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Uttarkashi region, not exclusively Yamunotri. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Yamunotri
💡 Visitor Tips
Pack for -5°C to 14°C (23-57°F) in May, 3°C to 17°C (37-63°F) in July-August. Bring thermal inners, a windproof jacket, woollen cap, gloves, and trekking shoes with ankle support for the 6 km climb.
Book accommodation at Janki Chatti 20-30 days ahead for May-June peak season through uttarakhandtourism.gov.in or private operators. During monsoon July-August, last-minute bookings work as fewer pilgrims visit.
The Barkot-to-Janki-Chatti stretch is single-lane with blind curves and no guardrails in sections. SUVs handle the route better than sedans. Landslides close the road for 2-6 hours frequently in July-August; carry dry snacks.
The last functioning ATM is in Barkot, 45 km away. Carry cash for the entire trip - pony handlers, dhaba owners, and hotels rarely accept UPI or cards. Mobile networks drop completely after Hanuman Chatti.
Janki Chatti has 30-40 lodges ranging from Rs 800-1,500 for basic rooms to Rs 2,500-4,000 for heated rooms with attached bathrooms (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Most cluster along the main road before the trek starting point.
📍 More Places in Uttarkashi
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Yamunotri covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Yamunotri is located in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 4013 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.