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Gangotri Temple

Gangotri Temple

Gangotri Temple is a highly revered Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Goddess Ganga, located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It marks the origin of the sacred Ganges River (Ganga) and is the second stop in the Char Dham Yatra (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath).

ॐ नमः शिवाय गङ्गायै नमः॥
Om Namah Shivaya Gangayai Namah – Salutations to the sacred Ganga and Lord Shiva.
गङ्गा स्तोत्रम् (Ganga Stotram)
देवि सुरेश्वरी भगवति गङ्गे त्रिभुवन-तारिणि तरल-तरङ्गे।
शङ्कर-मौलि-विहारिणि विमले मम मतिरास्तां तव पद-कमले॥

― Gangotri Temple

The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,100 meters (10,200 ft) in the Garhwal Himalayas, on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, which later becomes the Ganga.

Mythological Significance & History

The current Gangotri Temple was built in the early 18th century by a Gorkha general named Amar Singh Thapa.
The mythological origin goes back to ancient times, when King Bhagiratha performed intense penance here to bring the heavenly river Ganga down to Earth for the salvation of his ancestors.
Lord Shiva agreed to bear the force of Ganga’s descent in his matted hair (jata), releasing it gently to flow as a river.
The actual source of the Ganga, known as Gaumukh Glacier, is located about 19 km upstream from Gangotri.

Significance of the Temple

The temple marks the point where the river Ganga first touches Earth in the form of Bhagirathi River.
Bathing in or even touching the waters here is believed to wash away all sins and grant moksha (liberation).
Considered one of the four sacred shrines in Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra.
The temple and its surroundings hold immense spiritual energy and attract thousands of pilgrims annually.
Deepavali marks the closing of the temple each year, after which the deity is moved to Mukhba village for winter worship.

Architecture of the Temple

The temple is built in white granite, in the Nagara style of architecture.

It stands at a height of 20 feet, with a simple and serene structure.

The sanctum houses a silver idol of Goddess Ganga, flanked by idols of Goddess Yamuna, Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, and King Bhagiratha.

Nearby is the Bhairon Ghati, believed to be the protector of the temple, and Pandava Gufa, where the Pandavas are said to have meditated.

How to Reach to Temple

By Road:

  • Nearest town: Uttarkashi (~100 km)
  • Well connected from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, and Tehri Garhwal
  • Final motorable point is Gangotri town itself

✈️ By Air:

  • Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (~250 km)

🚆 By Train:

Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh or Dehradun (~230–250 km)

Temple Timings

  • Morning Darshan:

    6:15 AM to 2:00 PM

  • Evening Darshan;

    3:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Temple Location

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