Gangotri
About the city
In the hinterlands of the Himalayas is Gangotri where, it is believed, Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time. According to the Hindu religious scriptures, the goddess manifested herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirathi's sons, following his penance of several centuries. The Goddess Ganga is worshipped by the devout as a deity. The Gangotri temple was built in the early 18th century by a Gorkha commander, Amar Singh Thapa and later rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur. By November, Gangotri is snowbound, and so the deity is taken 25 kms downstream to Mukhba, so that their devotees are not thwarted. Despite the severe cold, however, several "SADHUS" remain at Gangotri year round, even through the very severe winter. Gaumukh, the identified source of the river Ganga, is 18kms further uphill. The trek to Gaumukh is gradual, and several pilgrims undertake the journey to pay homage to the river at its known source. The last prayer day is on the "Diwali Day".Gangotri The Eternal Gift Of Bhagirath's Penance
Be it man's urge to placate the Gods above or to quench his desire for adventure, Gangotri is an ideal location. Gangotri, the origin of the sacred river Ganges, attracts tourists in large numbers every year. The confrontation with the daunting rivers and attempts to unravel the mysteries of the supernatural world are ubiquitous sights here. Along with the thrill of conquering nature, what one experiences here is the mystical aura that India is so famous for.Gangotri Location
Couched in the magnificent Garhwal hills, Gangotri is at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level. It is on the northernmost part of the state of Uttar Pradesh and is very near the Indo-Tibetan border. It is approximately 300 km from Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh and 105 km from Uttarkashi. The summers are relatively cool and winters are freezing cold, with rains in the months of May and June. For the devotees and tourists, the gates of the temple are open only in the months of May to November.Mythological Legend
According to an old legend, Lord Shiva rewarded King Bhagirath after his penance and Ganga came down to earth. However, due to her pride, and the fact that the earth would be devastated if Ganga came down in her full force, Lord Shiva caught her in his locks. It was then proclaimed that Goddess Uma or Parvati, Shiva's consort, would bathe in the Ganges daily and only then would she descend on the earth. The sacred stone near the temple denotes the place where Ganga first came down to earth. This is why Ganga is also called by the name of Bhagirathi.In the tradition of ancient Hindu mythology and legend, India continues to be fascinated by the river Ganga. Named after the holy river itself, Gangotri is another in our country's rich list of pilgrimage sites. Known for the Gangotri temple, one of four sites in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, the town also has the natural beauty of its surrounding Himalayan ranges to offer. A breathtakingly beautiful hill station with an icy cold glacier, a 'submerged shivling' seen through clear waters and crystal mountains waiting to be conquered, Gangotri is also a trekkers' paradise. The town is blessed with some spectacular scenery and a panoramic view of the Himalayas. A visit to the Gangotri National Park offers a close encounter with the region's wildlife while a trek up its awe-inspiring mountains offers the perfect opportunity to commune with nature, the perfect pilgrimage for the avid traveller.