logo
Gangotri
Courtesy - Flickr
Other Info
  • Internet Availability:Good
  • STD Code:013772
  • Languages Spoken:Hindi and Garhwali
  • Major Festivals:Ganga Dussehra, Diwali and Akshaya Tritiya
  • Notes/Tips:None

Gangotri Overview

  • Ideal Trip Duration: 1 Night 2 Days
  • Nearest City Gangotri: Kedarnath, Uttarkashi, Barkot, Joshimath, Rudraprayag and Tehri
  • Best Time to Visit Gangotri: May-June and September-October
  • Peak Season: May-June and September-October
  • Weather Info: Excessively chilly
  • State: Uttarakhand

The Gangotri Dham is around 3100 meters high in Uttarakhand in the Himalayan range. The place holds a very special place in Hinduism. It is also among the four major destinations of the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. The village is very popular among the places to visit in Gangotri and is worth visiting as well. 

Why is Gangotri famous?

The temple is one of the highest of the Goddess Ganga. The sacred River Ganges, known as Bhagirathi, flows from the glacier, which is located here. The small temple is of white granite and is 20 feet tall.  

History of Gangotri 

The old and fascinating legend of Gangotri is that, over many centuries, King Bhagirath conducted a series of painful self-mortifying rituals to express outward remorse for the misdeeds committed by his forefathers. He underwent a grueling penance to grant nirvana to his forefathers, who were reported to have been burned to ashes as a result of a sage's curse.

The River Ganga, once the Daughter of Heaven, ascended to Earth after Bhagirath's meditation. Its mighty tides could sweep the planet away. Lord Shiva channeled the Ganga into the village, releasing it in his hair. The Ganga then flowed down into 12 tributaries. It is the first time the Holy River Ganga touched Earth and has been worshiped for thousands of years.

Activities at Gangotri 

•    Trekking: The village is at an elevation of 3000 meters above sea level. The temple is in the middle of the green hills, along with the Ganga River flowing. There are other areas around where one can trek and take in the breathtaking Himalayan views. 
•    Pilgrimage: The small temple is of Goddess Ganga and is very popular among the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand. Thousands of devotees and travelers visit the temple every year to get the blessings of Goddess Ganga. 
•    Shopping: If you are a devotee, then you will find something to buy from the religious stores. Apart from that, travelers can also explore the local woolen clothes, paintings, and handicrafts.

 The best time to visit 

Gangotri remains open six months in a year, from May to November. However, the best time to visit Gangotri is May to June and then September to October. The weather remains pleasant during this time. It is a must-have destination during your GANGOTRI TOUR PACKAGE. 

Read more

Top 4 Places to Visit in Gangotri

Bhaironghati Pilgrimage
Bhaironghati

Bhaironghati is a small village in the northern Indian highlands at the confluence of...

View details
Gangnani Pilgrimage
Gangnani

Gangnani is a town 46 kilometers from Uttarkashi on the way to Gangotri. It is a...

View details
Gangotri National Park Adventure / Trekking | Nature & Park | Wildlife
Gangotri National Park

The Gangotri National Park, one of India's most famous high-altitude wildlife...

View details
Gangotri Temple Adventure / Trekking | Pilgrimage
Gangotri Temple

At an elevation of 3,100 meters, Gangotri Temple, the tallest Temple devoted to...

View details
View all 12 places in Gangotri