Yamunotri

Yamunotri is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Yamuna, located in the Garhwal region of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It sits high in the western Himalayas in the Uttarkashi district at an elevation of about 3,293 meters (10,804 feet) above sea level. The temple marks the traditional source region of the Yamuna River and is one of the four sacred sites that form the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

Nearby features include Kalindi Kund, a sacred pool regarded as the origin of Yamuna, and Surya Kund, a hot spring used for ritual bathing before worship. Pilgrims reach Yamunotri from base towns such as Hanuman Chatti or Janki Chatti, followed by a trek to the temple, which is set in the high Himalayas. The shrine is traditionally associated with the goddess Yamuna, sister of Yama, the god of death.

The temple is open for a limited season each year, typically from spring through autumn, and is closed during winter when heavy snowfall makes the approach routes impassable. Access is managed by local temple committees and, in broader terms, the Char Dham trust, with facilities for pilgrims at nearby bases and along the trekking route.

As a major pilgrimage site, Yamunotri attracts devotees seeking the blessings of Yamuna and serves as a starting point for those undertaking the Char Dham circuit. The site’s religious significance is reinforced by legends linking Yamuna to the sun god and by its role in the river-centered traditions of northern India.