Gangotri, (Ganga'
+ ’Uttari’ which means descended) 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.
Situated at 99 km from Uttrarkashi, at height of 3140
meters.A shrine dedicated to the Goddess was built
some 250 years ago by Amar Bahadur Thapa, the Gorkha
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According to mythology, Goddess Ganga - the daughter
of heaven, manifested 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.
The physical source of the holy river is at Gaumukh,
18 kms. further uphill, along the Gangotri Glacier.
Several pilgrims trek upto the source to offer prayers
either on foot or on ponies.The verdant valleys, dense
forests and towering peaks offer excellent trekking
and mountaineering opportunities for adventure enthusiasts.
General information
about Gangotri:
Altitude : 3140 meters
Temperature: Max. Min.
Summer 20 deg.C. 6 deg.C.
Winter Sub-Zero, Snowbound
Clothing : Summer- Light woolen.
Winter -Very heavy woollen.
Languages/Dialects : Hindi, English
& Garhwali.
Best Season: May to June
and September to October.
Gangotri
Travel Information:
Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 17 kms. from Rishikesh
and.
24 kms. from Dehradun, 275 kms. from Gangotri.
Railhead:
Nearest railheads are Rishikesh (248 kms.), Haridwar
and Dehradun.
Distances from important
cities:
Haridwar – 270 kms
Rishikesh - 248 kms
Yamunotri - 230 Kms.
Mussoorie - 247 Kms
Uttarkashi – 99 kms
Nearby Places ( Gangotri)
:
Bhagirath Shila:
Near the temple is a great stone slab-the ‘Bhagirath
Shila’ dedicated to Bhagirath, whose penance
is believed to have brought the Ganga down from the
heavens.
Gomukh:
Gomukh(4200 meters), the identified source of the
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holy river Ganga, is 18 kms. further uphill from Gangotri.
The trek to Gomukh is gradual and several pilgrims
undertake the journey to pay homage the river at its
known source.
Bhaironghati.
Furhter downstream,10 km from Gangotri, is the picturesque
forested halting place of Bhaironghati. There exists
a small temple of Bhairon, appointed by Shiva to safeguard
this region which gives the place its name. The bridge
over the Jhanvi river at Bhaironghati is said to be
the highest in Asia.