The Gangotri Dham - Grand Religious Pilgrim Place of Hindus

Gangotri temple


Location: Gangotri Dham is a town and Nagar Panchayat of Uttarkashi District of Uttrakhand state.  Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi and origin of River Ganges

About of Gangotri Dham

Gangotri is the origin of the Ganges River. The temple of the Ganga river located at an altitude of 3042 meters above sea level. The holy Ganges River is also known as Bhagirathi. The view to the right of Bhagirathi is very attractive and charming. This place is located at a distance of 100 km from Uttarkashi. The temple of Ganga Maiya was constructed by Gorkha Commander Amar Singh Thapa in the early 18th century, the present temple was rebuilt by the royal family of Jaipur. Every year, between the months of May and October, lakhs of pilgrims come here to visit the holy Ganges. Like Yamunotri, the holy temple of Gangotri also opens on the holy festival of Akshaya Tritiya and the doors of the temple are closed on the day of Diwali.

Mythological Context of Gangotri Dham

According to the mythological stories, Bhagiraratha, the Chakravarti king of Raghukul, the ancestor of Lord Sri Rama, had done a severe penance (प्रचंड तपस्या) of Lord Shankar by sitting on a holy rock block here. This temple was constructed in the 18th century, near this holy rock block. It is believed that Goddess Bhagirathi touched the earth at this place. It is also believed that Pandavas had also come to this place for the spiritual peace of their families killed in the war of Mahabharata and performed a great devotional ritual (देव यज्ञ). This holy and the excellent temple is built of shiny 20 feet high stones of white granite. The devotees who come here are fascinated by the magnificence and purity of the temple and the natural beauty of the surroundings.

A natural rock in the form of Shivling is submerged in the Bhagirathi River. This scene is very charming and attractive. By seeing this, there is a direct feeling of divine power. According to mythological stories, Lord Shiva sat at this place with his Coiled hairs (जटा) spread and he wrapped Ganga Mata in his curly Coiled hairs (जटा). At the beginning of winter, when the level of holy Ganga goes down considerably, then on that occasion, the holy Shivalinga is can be seen.

Historical Aspects of Gangotri Dham Temple

The city of Gangotri gradually developed around a Gangotri temple whose history is 1200 years old, even before this the temple has been a place of spiritual inspiration for the Hindus for many centuries. Since the pilgrimage of Chardham used to be on foot in olden times and its climb was inaccessible in those days, so the road to Gangotri was built in the 1980s and since then the city has developed at a rapidly.

The history of Gangotri town and temple is identically linked. In ancient times, there was no temple here. In the Gangotri was worshiped by Semwal priests in the realizing form of Ganga which is a stream of Ganga there is, a platform near Bhagirathi Shila where the statues of Goddesses was kept for three-four months of the Char Dham yatra season. These statues used to be brought from villages like Mukhba etc. which were then returned to the same villages after the yatra season.

Gurkha commander Amar Singh Thapa of Garhwal built the Gangotri temple in the 18th century at the request of the Semwal priests at the same place where Bhagiratha meditated. It is believed that Raja Madho Singh II of Jaipur got the temple repaired in the 20th century.

E.T. Atkins wrote in The Himalayan Gazetteer that the Gangotri administrative unit was a part of the Patti and Parganas during the British rule of Taknore. He describes the structure of the same temple as it is today. Atkins further states that inside the temple surroundings there was a small house for the Brahmin (priest) and outside there was a shaded wooden structure for the pilgrims.

Attractive Visuals & Weather of Gangotri

  • Summer- The weather of Gangotri Dham in summer pleasant during the day and cold at night. The minimum temperature is 6℃ and a maximum of 20℃.
  • Winter- The weather of Gangotri Dham in winter pleasant from day to September, November, cool at night. Snowy from December to March and the temperature is below zero,
  • Attractive visuals- Gangotri Dham can be given a name Inspirational. Amazing landscapes here include icy peaks with deep valleys where arrive shimmering rivers between cedar trees. This physical scene spreads the magic around. Over the centuries, it has given spiritual excitement to millions of pilgrims and challenge to the thousands of adventurers.
Gaumuk Glacier in Gangotri

More Attractions near Gangotri Dham

Gaumukh- Gaumukh is situated at an altitude of 3892 meters and19 km away from Gangotri. The Gaumukh is the outfall of the Gangotri glacier and the origin of the river Bhagirathi. It is said that taking a bath in the snowy water of Bhagirathi dissolves all sins. The distance from Gangotri to Gaumukh is completed on foot or by riding on ponies. The climb is not that hard and many people who went to Gaumukh come back on the same day. Coolies and ponies are also available in Gangotri. 25 kilometers long, 4 kilometers wide, and about 40 meters high, Gaumukh is a perfect measurement in itself. In this Gaumukh glacier, Bhagirathi comes from a small cave structure. The water in this large snowy river comes in a basin situated at an altitude of 5,000 meters whose origin is from the peaks of the Santopanth group on the western slope.

Mukhba Village- Apart from Bhagirathi, the residents of Mukhba village are the priests of the Gangotri temple where is also the Mukhimath temple. Each year in Diwali, when the Gangotri temple is closed, the statue of Goddess Ganga is brought to this village in the winter with an instrument and procession like a roadshow. Mukhba village is the place where Ganga is worshiped for 6 months of the winter season, until spring and after the spring season, the statue of Ganga is brought back to Gangotri.

Bhairon Valley- Bhairon Valley has located 9 km from Gangotri. Bhairon Valley is situated at the Sangam of Ganga and Bhagirathi. Here Bhagirathi flows in deep valleys with strong currents, the sound of which roars in the ears. Before 1985, when the road for motor vehicles from the Gangotri and the suspension bridge over the highest Jadh-Ganga in the world, was not built, Pilgrims used to came walk from Lanka to the Bhairon Valley through dense cedars forest and then go to Gangotri. The Bhairon Valley provides a panoramic view of the Himalayas, from where you can have a glimpse of the Bhrigu mountain range, Sudarshan, Matri, and Chidwasa peaks.

Harshil: Harshil, located 20 km from Gangotri, it can be described in just one word: Amazing. It is located in a valley at the Sangam of the Jalandhari, on the banks of the river Bhagirathi, in the shadow of a large mountain above the Baspa Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Harsil is connected to many routes such as the Lamkhaga Pass from the Baspa Valley. Apart from the Matri and Mount Kailash, there is Srikanth peak on its right side, behind which is Kedarnath, and the Bandarpunchh is behind. This wild colony is famous for its natural beauty and sweet apple. Harshil's attractions include windy and shadowy roads, tall ledges, high mountains, the sweet noise of Bhagirathi, apple orchards, waterfalls, and green pastures, etc

Nandan-Tapovan- 25 km from Gangotri takes Nandanvan in a difficult trek over the Gangotri glacier which is 25 km from the camp of Gangotri of Bhagirathi peak. From here one gets a panoramic view of the Shivling peak. Across the mouth of the Gangotri River is Tapovan, which is famous for its beautiful grassland and spreads around the base of the Shivalinga peak.

Gangotri-Chirbasa- There is a 9 Km from Gangotri, Chirbasa which is located 3,600 feet high on the way to Gaumukh, Chirbasa is an excellent camp spot that provides a stunning view of the huge Gaumukh glacier. Chirbasa means tree of chir. From here you can see 6511 meters high Manda peak, Hanuman Tibba at 5366 meters, Bhrigu Parvat 6000 meters high, Bhagirathi, and other beautiful views. Sheep can also be seen roaming over the hills of Chirbasa.

Gangotri-Bhojbasa- Bhojbasa is 14 km from Gangotri due to the abundance of Bhojpatra trees. It is at the Sangam of the Jat Ganges and the Bhagirathi River. It is used as a stop while going to Gaumukh. Here, an ashram originally built by Lal Baba provides free food (langar) and accommodation of the Garhwal Mandal Development Corporation. On the way, you can see the religious flower Brahmakamal which is the seat of Lord Brahma.

Kedartaal- Kedartaal is located 14 Km away from Gangotri. Experienced climbers (trekkers) are also facing challenges in the climb up to this marvelous lake. A guide is absolutely required to climb very rugged mountains. There is no facility on the way, so everything has to be managed first. The lake is completely clear, where is the huge Thalayasagar peak. This place is 15,000 feet above sea level and is the base camp for climbing the Thalayasagar Jogin, Bhrigupanth, and other peaks. June-October is the best time to visit Kedartaal. This lake formed by the melting snow of the Kedar glacier is the origin of the Kedar Ganga, the tributary of the Bhagirathi, which is considered a donation by Lord Shiva to Bhagirathi. Climbing is a bit difficult but the beauty of this place is enough to remove your tiredness.

How to reach

  • By Air: The nearest airport to Gangotri is Jolly Grant Airport which is 250 kilometers away and is well connected to Delhi Airport. Taxi service is available from Jolly Grant Airport to Gangotri.
  • By Train: Rishikesh is the nearest railway station of Gangotri. The distance of Rishikesh railway station from Gangotri is 234 Km and the well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Gangotri is well connected by motorable roads with Rishikesh. Taxi and bus services are available from  Rishikesh, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, and many other destinations to Gangotri.
  • By Road: Gangotri is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses and Taxis to Gangotri are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand state like Rishikesh, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Barkot, etc.

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