Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri Temple is the source pilgrimage shrine of the River Yamuna and marks the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is believed to have been originally built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The present structure has been renovated multiple times due to weather damage and natural conditions in the high-altitude Himalayan region.

The actual source of the Yamuna River lies at Yamunotri Glacier near Bandarpunch peak at an altitude of about 6,387 meters, but the glacier is not directly accessible for most pilgrims. Near the temple, there are thermal hot water springs, especially Surya Kund, where devotees cook rice and potatoes as prasad. The temple remains open from April/May (Akshaya Tritiya) to October/November (Bhai Dooj) and stays closed during winter due to heavy snowfall.