About Yamunotri
First dhām of the Chota Char Dham. The shrine sits at 3,293 metres on Bandarpoonch's shoulder, reached by a steep 6 km trail from Janki Chatti. At the top, the Surya Kund spring runs hot enough for pilgrims to cook their own rice offering for the goddess.
History
The current temple was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century after the original was destroyed in successive earthquakes; the black marble idol of Yamuna was installed by Tehri ruler Naresh Sudarshan Shah. The Yamuna is mythologised as the daughter of Surya (the sun) and the twin sister of Yama (death) — bathing in her source on Yama Dwitiya is believed to ward off untimely death. The Surya Kund hot spring at the entrance reaches near-boiling temperatures and is the only Char Dham site where pilgrims cook their own offering — rice and potatoes wrapped in muslin are dipped in the kund and presented at the shrine.
Best Time to Visit
May to June, September to October
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Entry Fee · Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Yamunotri?
Free temple entry. Pilgrim trail and rituals are open to all.
- Mandatory Char Dham yatra biometric registration is free but enforced
- Open mid-April / early May to early November (Akshaya Tritiya to Yama Dwitiya)
- Aarti timings: 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Plan your visit
Stay, fly, or ride to Yamunotri, Uttarakhand
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Travel Tips
- Pre-register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in — biometric check at Janki Chatti gate
- 6 km uphill from Janki Chatti — palki ₹3,500–4,500, pony ₹1,500–2,000, kandi (porter basket) ₹1,800
- Stay overnight at Barkot or Janki Chatti, NOT at the shrine — accommodation up top is basic and limited
- Carry rice and aloo pre-wrapped in muslin if you want to perform the Surya Kund offering yourself
- Start the trek before 6 a.m. — afternoon weather is unpredictable above 3,000 m
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Hanuman Chatti — base camp for the trek, 13 km from Janki Chatti
- Kharsali Shani Dev Temple — Yamuna's winter abode, 1 km from Janki Chatti
- Divya Shila — the rock pillar worshipped before entering the main shrine
How to Reach Yamunotri
Yamunotri is located in Uttarakhand, India at coordinates 31.0185°N, 78.4525°E. You can reach Yamunotri by air (nearest airport in Uttarakhand), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
How to reach Yamunotri from major cities
Yamunotri from Delhi
~366 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹245 · 7h 9m
- Train (3AC) ₹655 · 6h 37m
- State Bus (Deluxe) ₹670 · 7h 44m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹5,060 · 6h 55m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹245) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (6h 37m).
Yamunotri from Lucknow
~654 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹395 · 12h 10m
- Train (3AC) ₹1,030 · 11h 13m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹1,780 · 12h 18m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹8,805 · 12h 9m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹395) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (11h 13m).
Yamunotri from Jaipur
~656 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹395 · 12h 12m
- Train (3AC) ₹1,030 · 11h 15m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹1,785 · 12h 20m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹8,830 · 12h 11m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹395) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (11h 15m).
Yamunotri from Ahmedabad
~1328 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹1,900 · 21h 60m
- Train (2AC) ₹2,755 · 21h 60m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹3,535 · 24h 33m
- Flight (Economy) ₹6,980 · 4h 26m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹1,900) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 26m).
Yamunotri from Kolkata
~1698 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,380 · 27h 55m
- Train (2AC) ₹3,450 · 27h 55m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹4,495 · 31h 17m
- Flight (Economy) ₹8,315 · 4h 58m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,380) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 58m).
Yamunotri from Mumbai
~1801 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,515 · 29h 34m
- Train (2AC) ₹3,640 · 29h 34m
- Flight (Economy) ₹8,685 · 5h 7m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,515) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (5h 7m).
Fares are indicative estimates based on distance — verify with the operator before booking.
Planning Your Visit to Yamunotri
Yamunotri lies in Uttarakhand, India, and ranks among the state’s most-visited pilgrimage destinations. The nearest major city and transport gateway is Dehradun, roughly 88 km away — most travellers route through Dehradun by air or rail before continuing on to Yamunotri. Time your trip for May to June, September to October for the most comfortable weather.
Travelling from within India, Dehradun connects to every metro by daily domestic flights and the railway network, so Yamunotri slots easily into a wider Uttarakhand itinerary.
Attractions closest to Yamunotri
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Yamunotri?
- The best time to visit Yamunotri is May to June, September to October.
- What are the top travel tips for Yamunotri?
- Pre-register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in — biometric check at Janki Chatti gate. 6 km uphill from Janki Chatti — palki ₹3,500–4,500, pony ₹1,500–2,000, kandi (porter basket) ₹1,800. Stay overnight at Barkot or Janki Chatti, NOT at the shrine — accommodation up top is basic and limited. Carry rice and aloo pre-wrapped in muslin if you want to perform the Surya Kund offering yourself. Start the trek before 6 a.m. — afternoon weather is unpredictable above 3,000 m.
- Where is Yamunotri located?
- Yamunotri is in Uttarakhand, India, at 31.0185° N, 78.4525° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Dehradun, about 88 km away.
- What are the best places to visit near Yamunotri?
- Top attractions near Yamunotri include Gangotri (about 47 km away), Kedarnath Temple (about 67 km away), Badrinath Temple (about 104 km away) — all easy to combine on a Uttarakhand trip.
- How to reach Yamunotri from Delhi?
- Yamunotri is about 366 km from Delhi. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹245, 7h 9m), Train (3AC) (~₹655, 6h 37m), State Bus (Deluxe) (~₹670, 7h 44m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹245) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (6h 37m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Yamunotri from Lucknow?
- Yamunotri is about 654 km from Lucknow. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹395, 12h 10m), Train (3AC) (~₹1,030, 11h 13m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,780, 12h 18m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹395) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (11h 13m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Yamunotri from Jaipur?
- Yamunotri is about 656 km from Jaipur. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹395, 12h 12m), Train (3AC) (~₹1,030, 11h 15m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,785, 12h 20m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹395) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (11h 15m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
