Uttarakhand is known as the Land of Gods, a significant pilgrimage destination for devout Hindus. The Char Dham Yatra is the most popular pilgrimage circuit, consisting of four sacred destinations: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Yamunotri Dham is the starting point and the home of Goddess Yamuna, whose temple is located at an elevation of 3,293 meters in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The idol of Goddess Yamuna is made of black marble and is ceremoniously adorned with garlands. Nearby, you will find Suryakund, a source of hot water springs, and close to Suryakund is Divya Shila, where it is customary to make offerings before proceeding to the temple. The water in Suryakund is so hot that a small sack of rice, immersed for a short time, becomes cooked and is offered to the deity.
Due to inclement weather during winter, the pilgrimage season lasts only for about six months, from April/May to October.
Yamunotri Opening & Closing Dates 2025
| Opening Date 2025 | 30 April 2025 |
| Closing Date 2025 | 5 November 2025 (tentative) |
Yamunotri Temple Opening Date
Each year, the priests of the temple determine the opening date based on the Hindu lunar calendar. For 2025, the opening date has been set for 30 April, which is an auspicious day for Hindus, as it coincides with Akshaya Tritiya. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Akshaya Tritiya can fall in the last week of April or the first week of May. In 2025, Akshaya Tritiya will occur on 30 April, marking the start of the char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. Although April-May is pleasantly cool in the Himalayas, it can be blisteringly hot in the plains. Therefore, it is advisable to carry woolens when visiting for the temple’s opening, as the nights can be chilly.
Yamunotri Temple Closing Date
The closing date for the Yamunotri Temple is also decided by the priests. For Yamunotri, the temple closes on Diwali. A ritual is conducted, including Pooja and offerings, and the temple officially remains closed until the following April/May. When the temple closes, the idol of Goddess Yamunotri is taken in a procession to Kharsali, which serves as her winter residence.
It is interesting to note that Yamunotri, being the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra, is the first temple to open and also the first to close.
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