Yamunotri Dham — DharmikVibes

Sacred Origin of the Yamuna — sister of Yama. Where prasad cooks in the boiling Surya Kund hot spring.

Visit Yamunotri, the sacred source of Yamuna river. Westernmost shrine of Char Dham.

Location: Yamunotri, Uttarakhand — India

About Yamunotri Dham

The westernmost and first shrine of the Char Dham circuit, pradakshina from west to east. Yamuna is the daughter of the Sun God Surya and twin sister of Yama, lord of death; bathing in her waters and offering tarpan here is held to protect from untimely death, grant a peaceful crossing to the other shore, and free devotees from the torments of Yama. Pilgrims pay respects first to the Divya Shila — a sacred rock at the temple entrance — before entering the sanctum and lowering rice bundles into Surya Kund as a living, cooking offering to the Goddess.

Darshan Timings

Mangala Aarti: 6:30 AM
Morning Darshan: 6:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Evening Darshan: 2:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Dress Code: Trekking clothes for the 5km climb from Janki Chatti; change to traditional attire before sanctum entry. Heavy woollens essential. Sturdy shoes required.

How to Reach

Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (210 km to Janki Chatti)
Nearest Railway: Haridwar (~220 km to Janki Chatti)

Nearby Places

Surya Kund (Hot Spring) — Next to temple — 88-90°C; unique prasad cooking ritual
Gauri Kund (Bathing) — Next to Surya Kund — warm bathing pool; separate for men/women
Divya Shila — At temple entrance — sacred rock where pilgrims pay respects first
Janki Chatti — 5 km downhill — road head, overnight halt before trek
Hanuman Chatti — 13 km below Janki Chatti — confluence of Yamuna and Hanuman Ganga
Kharsali (Winter Abode) — Near Janki Chatti — 5,000-year-old Someshwar Temple
Barkot — 45 km — gateway town with views of Bandarpoonch peak

Major Festivals

Temple Opening (Akshaya Tritiya, April/May) — first Char Dham to open each year
Yamuna Jayanti (March/April) — celebrates Yamuna's birth
Yama Dwitiya / Bhai Dooj (October/November) — temple closing day
Makar Sankranti (January) — winter worship at Kharsali
Sharad Purnima (October) — full moon worship

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