Tourist places in and around Gangotri
Unique Pilgrimage Attraction
Submerged Shivling
The natural rock Shivling, submerged in the river, is an amazing sight reinforcing the power of the divine. According to mythology, Lord Shiva sat at this spot to receive the Ganaga in his matted locks. The shivling is visible in the early winters when the water level goes down. The picturesque pilgrimage in the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time.Mythological Mystery
According to mythology, Goddess Ganga- the daughter of heaven, manigested herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath's predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received into his matted locks to minimise the immense impact of her fall. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her legendary source.A long the right bank of Bhagirathi stands the shrine of Gangotri dedicated to the Goddess. Perched at a height of 3042 mts., it was constructed in the early 18th century by a Gorkha Commander, Amar Singh Thapa. Every year, lakhs of pilgrims throng the sacred temple between May and October. By November, Gangotri is covered by snow. It is believed that the Goddess retreats to Mukhba, her winter abode.
Prime Pilgrimage Attraction
Gangotri Temple
The 18th century's temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga is located near a sacred stone where King Bhagirath worshipped Lord Shiva. Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this spot. According to another legend, Pandavas performed the great 'Deva Yagna' here to atone the deaths of their kinsmen in the epic battle of Mahabharata. The temple is an exquisite 20 feet. High structure made of white granite.Gangotri, close to the source of Ganga (Ganges river) and seat of the goddess Ganga, is one of the four sites in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. At an altitude of 3,042 m, a Gorkha Commander, Amar Singh Thapa, constructed the temple in the early 18th century AD. The Gangotri temple can be reached in a full day's travel from Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun, or in two days from Yamunotri, officially the first site in the Char Dham circuit. More popular and important than its sister site Yamunotri to the east, Gangotri is also accessible directly by car and bus, meaning that it sees many more pilgrims than Yamunotri.
Bharon Ghati (10 km)
Temple of Bhairav Nath amidst thick forests.Gaumukh (18 km)
It is the physical source of Bhagirathi (ganjga) and is of great importance to the pilgrims. One has to trek from Gangotri to Gaumukh.Snout of Gangotri glacier & source of the river Bhagirathi, Gaumukh is located at an altitude of 4200 metres. En route accommodation is available at Bhojwasa in Tourist Rest House. Guidence and assistance can be obtained from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, OSD Adventure Tourism, Uttarkashi or, India Mountaineering Foundation, Benito Juarez Road, Anand Niketan, New Delhi.