Gangotri

Print

The most sacred of all rivers is the Ganga.The Ganga symbolizes purity. It washes away all sins. It is compared to a mother goddess which presides through all the stages of life: from birth to death. The river is believed to have been born out of Vishnu's big toe. It is said to flow through the skies (like the Milky Way).These are but a few of the myths about the Ganga, whose temple is situated on the right bank of the Bhagirathi, right in the middle of the tiny village Gangotri, 3140 metres above sea level, where the sun filters through the branches of giant deodars and conifers in a mesmeric display of light and shade.The Ganga legend tells us all about King Sagar's 60,000 sons who were reduced to ashes and about King Bhagirath's'tapasya'to Shiva who appeased and brought them back to life.The stone slab on which Bhagirath meditated is called the Bhagirath Shila and it is located near the Temple of Ganga which was built by the Gorkha General, Amar Singh Thapa.

General Information

District

Uttarkashi

Altitude

3200  meters

Season

May-Oct.

Clothing

Woollens

Opening date of the temple

The temple opens each year on the auspicious day of Akshay-Tritiya, which usually falls in the first week of the May.

Closing date of the temple

The temple always closes on the sacred day of Deepawali festival during Oct. or Nov.

Connectivity

Air

Jolly Grant, Dehradun 226 kilometers is the nearest airport

Rail

Rishikesh (262 kilometers) is the nearest railway station.

Road

Gangotri is connected by road to all Major cities of Northern India

Accommodation

A number of Ashrams, Dharmshalas, Govt. accommodation and private Hotels are available at Gangotri.