Uttarakhand · North
GangotriGaṅgotrī
Himalayan pilgrim town on the Bhagirathi, seat of goddess Ganga and a Char Dham site
- Principal temple
- Gangotri TempleGanga
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to November
- Nearest airport
- Jolly Grant Airport (DED), Dehradun, ~225 km
- Nearest railway station
- Rishikesh or Dehradun railway station, ~200 km (approx.)
Overview
Gangotri is a Hindu pilgrim town in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, on the banks of the Bhagirathi at about 3,200 m in the Greater Himalayan Range; the river rises at Gaumukh in the Gangotri Glacier, a 19 km trek away. One of the four Chota Char Dham sites, it is regarded as the seat of the goddess Ganga, who is said to have descended here when Shiva released the river from his locks. Near the river is a stone where King Bhagiratha is said to have performed penance to bring the Ganga down to earth.
See sources [1–5]- Ganga
Main temples
Gangotri Temple
Ganga
The original temple was built by the Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa and restored in the 19th century; its rituals are supervised by the Semwal family of pujaris from Mukhba.
Key festivals
- Apr
Kapat (door) opening
Akshaya Tritiya, in spring (April)
- Oct
Kapat closing
Diwali day (usually October); the idol of Ganga is kept at Mukhba village near Harsil for the winter
Festival dates follow the Hindu calendar and move from year to year — confirm them with the temple before you travel.
Plan your visit
When to visit
Best time to visit
April to June and September to November
Festival days draw the largest crowds. Check the festival calendar above and the temple's own timings before you travel.
How to reach
- By air
- Jolly Grant Airport (DED), Dehradun, ~225 km
- By rail
- Rishikesh or Dehradun railway station, ~200 km (approx.)
Related
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Sources
- Gangotri - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Mukhba - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Gangotri - Incredible Indiaincredibleindia.gov.in
- Gangotri Temple - Incredible Indiaincredibleindia.gov.in
- Gangotri Dham - Uttarkashi District (official)uttarkashi.nic.in
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