| 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 |
Yamunotri keeps a single, weather-bound season rather than a fixed year-round calendar. The sanctum opens on Akshaya Tritiya, typically late April or early May, when the utsav-murti of the goddess is carried up in procession from Kharsali; it closes on Yama Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj), two days after Diwali, when she is taken back down for winter. In between, darshan runs roughly 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Unlike some plains temples, there is no long, rigid midday shutdown; the sanctum stays accessible through the day and closes only briefly for the deity's bhog and abhishek. Because the shrine sits at about 3,235 m, the practical darshan day is governed by daylight and weather as much as by the clock. Aim to reach early: queues build fast once the pony trains arrive mid-morning, and afternoon cloud or rain can cut the day short.
Treat the posted hours as approximate. Exact daily timings, opening and closing dates change year to year and are fixed by the Yamunotri temple committee; confirm the current season's schedule before you plan the climb.
← Back to the full Yamunotri darshan guideCompiled 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.