While Yamunotri itself is a peaceful and serene location, there are several fairs and festivals celebrated in the region, both at the temple and in the broader region of Uttarkashi, which is the district where Yamunotri is located.
1. Yamuna Jayanti
Month: (Mar-Apr)
Yamuna Jayanti, also known as Yamuna Chhath, marks the birth of Goddess Yamuna and is celebrated on the sixth day of the bright half of Chaitra month. In Kharsali, near Yamunotri, it is one of the most significant festivals, with the entire village coming alive in celebration. Devotees from surrounding areas gather to offer prayers, and the atmosphere is filled with vibrant processions, traditional music, dance, and devotional hymns. The festival is a time for rituals, offerings, and prayers, with people seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth. Pilgrims visit Yamunotri to purify themselves and receive divine blessings. The day fosters a joyous and spiritually enriching environment for all.
2. Baisakhi
Month: (Apr)
Baisakhi, which marks the beginning of the harvest season and the founding of the Khalsa, is widely celebrated in Punjab. In the Yamunotri region, the festival is also observed with reverence. Pilgrims gather at the Yamunotri Temple to offer prayers for a successful harvest and seek blessings from Goddess Yamuna. The day is filled with spiritual rituals, devotional songs, and gratitude for the abundance of nature. Though the celebrations in Yamunotri are quieter compared to Punjab, the atmosphere remains festive and spiritually uplifting. It’s a time for people to connect with nature and seek divine blessings for prosperity and well-being.
3. Diwali
Month: (Nov)
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with great enthusiasm at Yamunotri. The temple and its vicinity are beautifully illuminated with diyas (oil lamps) and colorful decorations, offering a mesmerizing view against the majestic Himalayan backdrop. The festival also marks the beginning of the temple’s Kapat (door closure) ceremony. The temple is adorned with fresh flowers, adding to the festive atmosphere. Additionally, the Ganga Ghat and Temple are also illuminated with lamps, creating a serene and spiritually uplifting ambiance for all the devotees.
4. Navratri
Month: (Sep-Oct)
During Navratri, a special worship ceremony is held in honor of Goddess Yamuna at Yamunotri Dham. Devotees believe that offering prayers to Goddess Yamuna during this sacred period can help them overcome the trials and suffering associated with life. The temple is beautifully decorated, and pilgrims from various regions gather to seek blessings for protection, prosperity, and spiritual growth. The atmosphere is filled with devotion as people perform rituals, chant hymns, and offer flowers, creating a spiritually charged environment that enhances the significance of the festival.
5. Yamunotri Kapat Opening Ceremony
Month: (Apr-May)
The Yamunotri Temple opens its doors to devotees on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, marking the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra. On this day, the Doli (palanquin) returns from its winter seat in Kharsali to the main temple, signaling the start of the pilgrimage season. Pilgrims can plan their Yamunotri Yatra during this period. The arrival of the Doli Yatra is accompanied by the chanting of sacred mantras, traditional drumming with dhol, and the participation of numerous devotees. The ceremony is a vibrant, spiritually uplifting event, with the sounds of prayer and celebration filling the air as the temple reopens for worship.
6. Yamunotri Kapay Closing Ceremony
The Yamunotri Kapat Closing Ceremony marks the conclusion of the pilgrimage season. On this occasion, the Goddess Yamuna’s Doli (palanquin) is carried from the Yamunotri Temple to Kharsali, its winter seat. The departure of the Doli is a significant and spiritual event, with devotees gathering to offer prayers and seek blessings before the temple doors are closed for the winter. The ceremony is accompanied by the chanting of sacred mantras and traditional rituals, as pilgrims bid farewell to the goddess until the temple reopens the following season.
