Yamunotri, one of the four major pilgrimage sites in the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, India, is not only a place of spiritual importance but also a hub for various fairs and festivals that attract thousands of pilgrims and devotees each year. The region’s religious, cultural, and spiritual significance is celebrated through several fairs, festivals, and rituals, many of which are closely associated with the temple and the worship of the Yamuna River. These celebrations, deeply rooted in the traditions of Hinduism, offer a unique glimpse into the cultural fabric of the region and the religious practices of the people.
Most of the festivals and fairs at Yamunotri are centered around the temple and the religious calendar of the Char Dham Yatra, with special observances taking place during important times of the year, such as the opening and closing of the temple doors, major Hindu festivals, and seasonal celebrations. The fairs not only offer an opportunity for spiritual gatherings but also provide a cultural and social dimension to the pilgrimage experience.
The opening and closing of the Yamunotri Temple are significant events in the annual religious calendar of the region. The Yamunotri Temple is traditionally closed during the winter months, from October to April, when heavy snowfall makes the region inaccessible. The temple opens in April-May, around the time of the Akshaya Tritiya festival, and closes on Bhai Dooj during the Diwali festival, in October-November.
The opening of the temple typically takes place on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, which is considered a highly auspicious day in Hinduism for starting new ventures and performing religious rites. On this day, a grand procession is organized, during which the idol of Goddess Yamuna is ceremoniously brought to the temple. Devotees from all over India gather to mark the occasion with prayers, rituals, and offerings. The priests perform the ritual of abhishekam (sacred bath) to the idol of Yamuna and offer prayers to invoke the blessings of the goddess.
The temple is closed for the winter season on the day of Bhai Dooj, which is the second day of Diwali. This day is celebrated as a mark of the brother-sister bond, and in Yamunotri, it marks the end of the pilgrimage season. Pilgrims who have visited the temple during the summer and monsoon months take part in a final darshan (viewing) of the idol before it is covered and stored for the winter. The closing ceremony involves special prayers, rituals, and the final procession before the temple doors are shut, and the area becomes almost inaccessible due to the snow and cold temperatures.
Another significant festival at Yamunotri is Yamuna Jayanti, also known as Yamuna Ashtami. This festival celebrates the birth of Goddess Yamuna, the sister of Yama, the god of death, and the goddess associated with the sacred Yamuna River. It falls on the 8th day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (usually in August or September).
Yamuna Jayanti is celebrated with much fervor by devotees who come to the temple to take a holy dip in the Yamuna River and offer prayers to Goddess Yamuna. The temple priests perform elaborate rituals, and there are processions, devotional music, and chanting of hymns. Pilgrims often visit Yamunotri on this day to seek blessings for prosperity, health, and spiritual well-being. It is believed that worshipping Yamuna on this day purifies the soul and protects from the wrath of death. Devotees take part in special prayers and rituals at the temple and around the river.
The festival brings an aura of devotion and spirituality to Yamunotri, and devotees offer flowers, sweets, and other offerings to Goddess Yamuna. There is a festive atmosphere at the temple, with the sounds of devotional songs (bhajans) and prayers echoing through the valley. The event also attracts a large number of pilgrims who combine the celebrations of Yamuna Jayanti with their Char Dham Yatra.
The Teej Festival, which celebrates the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is another important event observed in Yamunotri. It typically falls in the month of Shravan (July-August), according to the Hindu calendar, and is widely celebrated across Uttarakhand and other parts of Northern India.
Women, in particular, celebrate the Teej festival by fasting, praying, and singing songs dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. In Yamunotri, the festival is observed with much devotion and includes prayers at the temple, processions, and rituals invoking blessings for marital happiness, fertility, and well-being. Devotees also visit the temple to offer special prayers to Goddess Yamuna on this day, as it is believed that observing fasts and performing rituals at Yamunotri during Teej brings peace and prosperity.
Women often gather in groups to sing devotional songs, known as teej ke geet, and to share the joy of the festival. Although this is a festival with a regional significance, its celebration in Yamunotri carries deep spiritual meaning for those who follow the tradition of visiting the Char Dham.
The festival of Holi, celebrated in March, marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. Although Holi is a pan-Indian festival, it is celebrated with special significance in the Yamunotri region, particularly because of its association with the mythological stories of Lord Krishna and the river Yamuna.
On this day, the region witnesses colorful celebrations, with people singing devotional songs and participating in ritual prayers. Pilgrims visiting Yamunotri during Holi often take part in the celebrations by applying colors to each other, celebrating the victory of spring and the symbolic overcoming of darkness through the divine blessings of Goddess Yamuna.
Holi is also seen as a time for spiritual renewal, and devotees believe that participating in the festival brings them closer to the divine. The vibrant celebrations in Yamunotri represent a blend of spiritual and cultural traditions, where people not only celebrate the arrival of spring but also honor the goddess Yamuna.
During the pilgrimage season (which usually lasts from May to October), there are periodic congregations of pilgrims at Yamunotri, who come to the temple after completing the journey from other Char Dham sites. Although this is not a “festival” per se, the rush of pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra period gives the region a festive and spiritually charged atmosphere.
The Char Dham Yatra has its own set of rituals and customs, such as Aarti (prayer) at the temples, the offering of flowers and sweets, and chanting of mantras and hymns. The Yatra is not only a spiritual journey but also an occasion for devotees to come together to celebrate their faith.