Yamunotri Temple

Source shrine of the Yamuna river — first stop on the traditional Uttarakhand Char Dham circuit.

दर्शन महत्व: The trek to the glacier source and hot springs at Janki Chatti anchor the opening of the Himalayan yatra.

यात्रा का सर्वश्रेष्ठ समय: May–June, Sept–Oct

History

Yamunotri is the source shrine of the Yamuna and the traditional first stop of the Uttarakhand Char Dham, west to east. The present temple at the glacier valley was built and rebuilt by Garhwal royalty; it opens seasonally like the other Himalayan dhams. Hot springs at Janki Chatti are used to cook rice as prasadam.

Legends

• Yamuna is the daughter of Surya and sister of Yama; bathing in her waters is believed to free one from the fear of death.
• Sage Asit Muni is said to have bathed daily in both Ganga and Yamuna here; when he grew old, Yamuna appeared so he would not have to walk to Gangotri.