Darshan timings at Yamunotri
| Season | Opens | Darshan | Closes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak yatra (May-June) | Approx 6:00 AM | Continuous, long queues by mid-morning | Approx 8:00 PM | Open |
| Monsoon (Jul-Aug) | Approx 6:00 AM | Open but trek prone to landslides / closures | Approx 8:00 PM | Open |
| Autumn (Sep-Oct) | Approx 6:00 AM | Clear weather, thinner crowds | Approx 8:00 PM | Open |
| Winter (Nov-Apr) | Closed | Idol worshipped at Kharsali (winter seat) | Closed | Closed |
Read the full Timings & Darshan Hours →
How to reach Yamunotri Temple
Yamunotri is the least road-accessible of the four Char Dham shrines. Vehicles stop at Janki Chatti; the final 6 km to the temple is on foot, pony, doli (palanquin) or pithoo. Most pilgrims base themselves at Barkot, Janki Chatti or Hanuman Chatti and start the climb at dawn.
| Mode | Point | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest railway station | Rishikesh (RKSH) | Approx 210 km | Nearest broad-gauge railhead; Dehradun and Haridwar are common alternatives. Road onward via Barkot to Janki Chatti. |
| Nearest airport | Jolly Grant, Dehradun (DED) | Approx 198-210 km | Taxis run from the airport toward Barkot / Janki Chatti; a full day's mountain drive. |
| Road (last motorable point) | Janki Chatti | 6 km trek to temple | Buses and shared jeeps reach Janki Chatti via Barkot; parking and pony stands here. |
| Trek from road | Janki Chatti to temple | Approx 6 km, 2.5-3 hrs up | Steady uphill climb; ponies, dolis and porters available at fixed rates. Descent takes about 1.5-2 hrs. |
Puja & aarti schedule
- Morning aarti and opening of the sanctum for darshanApprox 6:30 AM
- Pilgrims bathe in Surya Kund, cook rice/potato prasad in the spring, worship at Divya Shila before the goddessDaytime
- Evening aarti before the shrine closes for the nightApprox 7:30 PM
Read the full Aarti & Puja Schedule →
Dress code & temple rules
Wear modest, fully covering clothes suited to a high-altitude shrine; avoid shorts and revealing wear.
Carry warm woollens and a windcheater even in summer, as it stays cold at 3,235 m and evenings turn freezing.
Bring a raincoat or poncho; weather changes fast and monsoon showers are common.
Wear sturdy trekking shoes with good grip for the 6 km uphill climb.
Remove leather items and footwear before entering the sanctum; maintain silence and queue discipline.
Do not touch or pollute the Surya Kund and other thermal springs; use them respectfully as sacred water.
Read the full Dress Code & Temple Rules →
Best time to visit & festivals
Yamunotri is only reachable in its roughly six-month open season. May-June and September-November are the most comfortable windows; the monsoon brings landslide risk, and the shrine is shut all winter.
| Festival | When | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Temple opening (Akshaya Tritiya) | Late April / early May | The goddess is brought in procession from Kharsali and the shrine opens for the year; one of the most auspicious darshan days. Peak |
| Yama Dwitiya / Bhai Dooj (closing) | October / November, two days after Diwali | Yamuna and Yama's day of sibling devotion; the idol is carried back to Kharsali for winter as the shrine closes. Peak |
| Phool Dei | Around mid-March (folk festival) | Garhwali spring festival marking the flowering season in the surrounding villages. |
| Basant Panchami | January / February | Marks the coming of spring; celebrated regionally though the high shrine itself is closed. |
Read the full Best Time to Visit & Festivals →
Nearby temples & tirths
Gangotri
The Yamuna's sister shrine and source of the Ganga, the next stop on the Char Dham circuit.
Kedarnath
The high Shiva jyotirlinga of the Char Dham, deep in the Kedar valley.
Badrinath
Vishnu's Himalayan seat and the fourth and final Char Dham shrine.
Read the full Nearby Temples & Tirths →
Where to stay
Most pilgrims stay at Janki Chatti (closest to the trek head), Barkot (the main town with hotels and lodges, roughly 45-50 km away) or Hanuman Chatti. Janki Chatti offers GMVN rest houses, budget hotels and dharamshalas; small ashrams and rooms near the temple charge only a few hundred rupees a night, often for 2-3 people. At the shrine itself only very basic overnight options exist, so most people trek up and down in a single day and sleep lower down.
Frequently asked questions
Yamunotri temple timings today
Nearest railway station to Yamunotri
Is Yamunotri open in winter (December)
How long is the Yamunotri trek from Janki Chatti
When does Yamunotri temple open in 2026
Compiled from public sources including Wikipedia: Yamunotri · Wikipedia: Chota Char Dham · Holidify: Yamunotri travel guide · Wikimedia Commons: Yamuna at Yamunotri image. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.