Gangotri (Hindi: गंगोत्री) is a town and a Nagar Panchayat in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi. It is on the Greater Himalayan Range, at a height of 3,042 m. 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.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 her into his matted locks to minimise the immense impact of her fall. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her legendary source.
Mythological Relation
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga – the daughter of heaven, took the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath’s predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received Ganga into his matted locks to minimize the impact of her fall.
According to this legend, King Sagar, after slaying the demons on earth decided to stage in Ashwamegh Yagya as a proclamation of his supremacy. The horse which was to be taken on an uninterrupted journey around the earth was to be accompanied by the King’s 60,000 sons born to Queen Sumati and one son Asmanjas born of the second queen Kesani. Indra, supreme ruler of the gods feared that he might be deprived of his celestial throne if the ‘Yagya’ (worship with fire) succeeded and then took away the horse and tied it to the ashram of Sage Kapil, who was then in deep meditation. The sons of the King Sagar searched for the horse and finally found it tied near the meditating sage. Sixty thousand angry sons of King Sagar stormed the ashram of sage Kapil. When he opened his eyes, 60,000 sons had perished by the curse of sage Kapil. Bhagirath, grand son of King Sagar, is believed to have meditated to bring down the Ganga to cleanse the ashes of his ancestors and liberate their souls, granting them salvation or Moksha. The Bhagirathi ‘Shila’ is located near the temple of Ganga where the holy Ganga first descended on earth from heaven.
Get in
Airport : Jolly Grant, Dehradun 226 km.
Railhead : Haridwar, 230 km.
Road : Well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Delhi.
Important Road Distances : Dharasu ( 129 km), Yamunotri (224 km) Mussoorie ( 247 km), Tehri ( 172 km)
Do
- Nandavan Tapon (24 km )- An arduous trek along the left bank of the Gangotri Glacier leads to scenic Nandanvan – the base camp for the Bhagirathi peaks, that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding Shivling peak. A trek across the snout of the Gangotri Glacier across the right bank leads to Tapovan known for its beautiful meadows that encircle the base of the Shivling peak. There is also a route from Tapovan across the Gangotri glacier to Nandanvan. From Nandanvan, one can trek further along the Kalindi Khal to Badrinath, which is a extremely difficult trek and has to be done with sufficient preparation.
- Uttarkashi ( 99 km) – An important pilgrimage centre, situated at an elevation of 1,150 mts. above sea level on the bank of river Bhagirathi. Some of the important temples worth visiting are – Vishwanath temple, Ekadash Rudra temple, Gyaneshwar temple and Kuteti Devi Temple. Nearby is the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Every year, during the ‘Magh Mela’ ( January 14 ), people visit Uttarkashi to take a holy dip in Bhagirathi along with the image of their village deity
- Kedar Tal ( 18 km) – An enchanting lake, 4425 mts. above sea level against the splendid backdrop of mighty Thalaiyasagar peak. Accessible through a rough mountain trail, it is the base camp for trekking to surrounding peaks. The trek to Kedartal needs a local guide.
- Gaumukh ( 18 km)- The snout of the Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Bhagirathi river. Pilgrims trek upto the sacred spot on foot or on ponies to take a holy dip in the ice-cold water.
Buy
Ancient coins and wollens
Eat
Only local eating places (dhabas) are available. Non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks are prohibited in Gangotri.
Drink
No Alcohol permitted here. Instead, drink plenty of natural mineral water full of medicinal values.
Sleep
Many cheap hotels and Ashrams. Money no problem, will even fit if you are broke.
Excellent collections. Should visit these places. Thanks for showing the natural beayty.
gangotri char dham ki yatra darsan kari dhany tha e gaya.
I have a deep belief in Hindu mythology and even tried to reach Gangotri in March 2006 but had to retrun when the snow was too thick. We were 6 kms from Gangotri. I wish to make another trip one day during my lifetime.
I feel every Hindu worth his salt should visit the CHAR DHAM. Such speectacular views and a dip in Dev Prayag is woth the effort.
nee en vuyir dee. when shall we go?
beautiful spot must seen in a life time pl. send like this thanks
excellent and informative
a very informative account of the place inspiring one with faith to visit it early.would need more information to plan the visit. Thanks
Eternal peace…
is what we want.
this should b the place of our final rest.
A place worth visiting – in fact, a “must visit” for every Hindu (and, Jain and Buddhist as well). The great Faiths of the East are based on the myths and teachings that arise in these lovely wildernesses.
materialistic world and spiritual world are the two factors now ruling the world. a person who understands
the life and need total tranquility which can be obtained by way of meditation can get there to get more about the life. The result is nothing but emancipation. iyer
Exellant photographs and very nice guiding
thanks for showing this beautiful pictures,very excellent job this is and give me another execellent pictures
of mythology.
i love god
Excellent collections. Should visit these places. Thanks for showing the natural beayty
I had been to Gomukh in 1988, it is very beautiful and one must visit this place. Moreover you can feel ‘Hinduism’ in the air.
every indian must visit the holly place.nice pictures and collection. congresss………thanks……..
Beautifull and holy climate,any short tempered person cool down here.Your thinking will be changed automatically,and you must start bealiving God and feel 100% God’s presence.”Gangotri” is great!
great collection , thanks
MUST NEED TO CONVEY MY BEST REGARDS TO YOU FOR EXCELLENT AND INFORMATIVE
PHOTOGRAPHS . , THANK YOU VERY MUCH…………..BEST WISHES TO YOU……………
Holy & beautiful places of Devbhumi Garhwal. All the places identity of Devbhumi and excellent information about how to reach the places by Air, Road & Train
LOT OF THANKS
excellent and informative
i want new , other tempals,
you can show, please and any good placeces and netars climat whatever
I WAITING FOR YOU
MY NAME IS RUPESH.
It was beautiful to see one of the “char dhams”.The pictures are really amazing.
A very beautiful and tempting collection of photos. Would love to visit the Gangotri Chardham
A very lovely and tempting collection of photographs and I wish I get a chance to visit Gangotri Chardham
Dhanye Bhag mere jo Ganga Maiya ke Darshan karye aap ne .Thanks for this
Lucky are those who really visit the sacred place.Thanks for informatio.
Beautiful place,,,Awsome photographs…Thanx for sharing…
Oh! the snaps are beautiful and pleasing. Just felt a relief after viewing snaps. Don’t know, whether i worship god or not i worship the beauty of nature. Thanks and bring more.
The Origin of river Ganga is not only the origin but it is a blessing of God for human being a Pardise on Earth
Moti Manot
Eye catching views and attracting beauty by GOD
Suman Manot
very lovely………………
placeses ilike very much
It is really very nice hope if god wish i will reach there one day by seeing this site is a blessing too
I had been to Gangotri in the Ramkatha of Shri Morarri Bapu,Gujrath, for five days stay there, During that time i stayed with the Mandir,s pujari Residence, I had been to Gangadwar,/Gomukh about 18 km from gangotri. The holy place with big blue glaciours. We must see our India”s beauty ,the culture , hospitality,honesty of the people.
Ya really wonderful collection of pics if i got a chance to visit this pilgrimage place then without delay………….
wah beautiful pictures,thanks for information .do send such details
acchi janakari mili ,photo bhi bahoot khoobsurat he.
ITS A HEAVEN ON EARTH,ONE MUST VISIT IN HIS/HER LIFETIME “GOD HAS GIVEN US ONE LIFE TO SEE &TO ADMIRE HIS CREATION.”:{{
It is beautiful, in life we must see one time
very nice pics i like it
HI,ALSO ENJOY WITH THESE HI FI PICTURES
It is good to see Gangotri Dham sitting at home. Thanks
gangotri char dham ki yatra darsan kari dhany tha e gaya.
so many many tanx .. very much.. i am so happy see picture, too beautiful seen uttranchal .. temple.. & dhaam…
Thank You…
Ganga maiya really thanks for giving us your blessings.Always stay with us in our heart in our mind.I just pray to you pls. call me for once at your dham.
Eager for Yatra of Char Dham
very very lovely place
beautiful holy place must seen in a life spam….thanks
so beautiful and holy place god help me to visit. pls send more
Beautiful photos to keep…thank you
Very beautiful place of india..will must go at there with my family..
please go one time this beautiful place
I have a deep belief in Hindu mythology and even tried to reach Gangotri himalyian vallies in april 2010 but had to retrun when the snow was too thick. We were 6 kms from Gangotri. I wish to make another trip one day during my lifetime.
I feel every Hindu worth his salt should visit the CHAR DHAM. Such speectacular views and a dip in Dev Prayag is worth the effort.
I have visited 4 times all Indians should visit,
Even All cast people should go and visit Char Dham, its very cheap and very easy.
It is beautiful places to see at home, in my life i must see one time.
simply supper.Must visit.
I have not visited. I am thrilled by the scenic Beauty and the Divinity seen in the pictures I pray God God help me vist Gangotri where The Ganga has come down to earth to purify.All people should visit see and enjoy and purify themselves.Recently my friend Krishnarao and his wife visted the himalays and returned a week back.Thanks for the persons who enabled us to see the wonderful pictures and read the commentary .Thanks Regards (SUNDARAM)
HAR AADMI KO KAM SE KAM EK BAAR JINDGI MEIN GANGOTRI JARUR JANA CHAHIYE
Hi,
Dear All Frndz……
Dekhkar Bahut Achcha laga, ummeed hai jaldi darshan honge Gangotri or rameshwaram Ke……..
May God fulfill my wish…
Thanks
Fotos maravilhosas!!
I have visited Gangotri, Very very Beautiful pilgrimage place for Hindus. The natural beauty is on the way to Gangotri. One must visit once in his life span.
Jai Shiv Shambhu…
Ultimate Photos…..