The Hindu pilgrimage town on the banks of river Bhagirathi, the origin river to the mighty Ganges, stands Gangotri exactly 99 kilometers from Uttarkashi and an elevation of 3100 meters above sea level. Gangotri is sai ...
to be the spot where Lord Shiva released Goddess Ganga from his hair while Bhagirath, the king prayed on earth and the goddess took a river form and is originated from Gaumukh, a glacier in the Tapovan region of Himalayas as Bhagirathi that meets Alaknanda at Devprayag to form Ganges. The Gangotri temple opens at Akshay Tritiya every year and remains open until Diwali. When the doors of the temple are closed, the doli is taken to the village Mukhaba near Harshil, where the pilgrims visit the temple and pray to the goddess every year on the non-functioning days.
What to do around Gangotri?
Visit the temple right under the snow capped Himalayas and pray to the goddess. Take a holy dip in the Ganga safely that is said to take all your sins away and is available in the purest form to mankind. Visit Surya Kund, Vishnu Kund, Brahmakund, Bhagirath Shilla and numerous ashrams in the vicinity. Trek to Gaumukh that is 19 kilometers away and the source of Ganges on earth or visit Kedartal that lies 7 kilometers away. Visit Gangotri National Park to enjoy a variety of flora and fauna in the lush greens under the shade of pine and deodars. Take a warm bath at the hot water spring at Gangnani.
Fun Facts about Gangotri
One of the Char Dhams, Gangotri is home to the origin of Bhagirathi, the purest form of Ganges, the most sacred river in the country. A point near the temple, Bhairon Jhap is said to be a point where travelers once used to jump and give their life away in search of nirvana.