Gangotri, Origin of the Sacred River Ganges

Gangotri, Origin of the Sacred River Ganges

Gangotri, the origin of the sacred river Ganges, attracts tourists in large numbers every year. The temple of gangotri dedicated to lord ganges, situated at an altitude of 3,200 mts and is one of the four sites in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source and acquires the name Ganga from Devprayag onwards where it meets the Alaknanda. The origin of the holy river is at Gaumukh, set in the Gangotri Glacier, and is a 19 km trek from Gangotri. This temple dates back in 18th century constructed by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa , is near the spot where the goddess Ganga is said to have first descended on earth from heaven, in answer to the prayers of King Bhagriath.
The temple itself is situated on the right bank of the Bhagtathi . Ritual duties are supervised by the Semwal family of pujaris. The aarti ceremony at the Gangotri is especially impressive, as is the temple, a stately affair that sits on the banks of the rushing Ganga. Adventurous pilgrims can make an overnight 18 km trek to Gaumukh, the actual current source of the river Ganga. The temple is closed on Diwali day every year and is reopened in May. During this time, the idol of the goddess is kept at Mukhba village, near Harsil.
Numbers of ashrams are present on the other side of the river Bhagirathi, many of which provide accommodation facilities. A tourist looking for peace and adventure, Gangotri is an ideal location. Gangotri is situated in the northern part of the state of Uttaranchal and is very close to the Indo-Tibetan border. The shrine of Gangotri is around 300 years old. Renovated in the 20th century, the shrine is a 20-feet high structure of white granite. During the winters the statue is taken to Mukhimath village where it is worshipped. There is a natural rock Shivalinga, called the Jalamagna Shivalinga. This is the place where Lord Shiva received Ganga in his locks.
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. For a large number of tourists, Gangotri town serves as the starting point of the Gangotri-Gaumukh-Tapovan and Gangotri-Kedartal trekking routes.
It is approximately 300 km from Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh and 105 km from Uttarkashi.
Submerged Shivling

An amazing sight reinforcing the power of the divine is the natural rock Shivling, submerged in the river. According to mythology, at this where Lord Shiva sat and received the Ganga in his matted locks. In the early winters the shivling is visible when the water level goes down. The picturesque pilgrimage is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time in the hinterlands of the Himalayas.
Accessibility
Airport
Jolly Grant, Dehradun 226 kms.
Railhead
Rishikesh, 249 kms.
Road
Well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Delhi.
Important Road Distances :
Dharasu ( 129 Km.), Yamunotri (224 Km.) Mussoorie ( 247 Km.), Tehri ( 172 Km.)

Om Namah Shivay