Gangotri Dham, Uttarakhand

Gangotri, one of the most auspicious pilgrimages to explore in North India is renowned as one of the most eminent destinations for Ganga worshippers where devotees from all around the world flock to seek the blessings of the goddess. This hugely elevated pilgrimage is an important stopover of the Char Dham circuit comprising Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The journey commences from Yamunotri and then continues to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally concludes at Badrinath. Perched at a huge elevation of 3000 meters above sea level, Gangotri Temple is believed to have been constructed in the 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa, the Gorkha General. This magnificent shrine is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and is nestled beautifully amidst the incredible scenic vistas surrounded by dense pine and deodar trees.

Location of The Temple

Perched at an insane altitude of almost 3000 meters above sea level, Gangotri Temple is established on the left shore of River Bhagirathi and lies closer to the Bhagirath Shila, a holy rock where Lord Shiva was worshipped by King Bhagirath. It is believed that the Brahmins and the pujaris belong to the village of Mukhwa and the holy water of Gangotri is carried to offer Lord Shiva. There is a belief among Hindus and the locals that this holy water has nectar in it and so when it is offered to Lord Shiva, it soothes his throat as he gulps the poison.

Opening and Closing Timings of Gangotri Temple

The temple gets open for public visits only for a particular time which is mentioned below.

• Morning - 6:15 am to 2 pm
• Evening - 3 pm to 9:30 pm

Travel Tips for Gangotri

Likewise, among several other religious sites in India, Gangotri also implies certain restrictions on the devotees visiting this holy site.

• Everyone who is exploring this site requires to maintain the decorum of the place by refraining from savoring non-vegetarian foods and consuming alcohol.
• Being a hugely elevated pilgrimage, Gangotri witnesses extremely chilly cold weather throughout the year, so travelers are advised to carry woolen clothes along with them.
• It is a little risky to travel this pilgrimage in the monsoon months as the region is quite prone to landslides so, the best time to visit this religious site in Uttarakhand is between May and June and then between September and October.

Activities to Get Indulged in Gangotri Dham

Despite being reckoned as a religious site, Gangotri Dham believes to be a perfect platform to get indulged in several activities to add more excitement and fun to your holiday.

Trekking

• Tucked at an insane altitude of almost 3000 meters above sea level, Gangotri is nestled beautifully amidst the gorgeous and imposing hills so there are many places in the region where one can quench the thirst of attaining adventurous experiences.

Shopping

• Although Gangotri is a sacred site and there are many shops that sell numerous religious items including the beautiful idols of the deities and other devotional items yet one can also purchase a few other items such as Tibetan artifacts, woolens, shawls, religious paintings, etc.

Pilgrimage

• Being one of the most significant shrines of the Chardham circuit, Gangotri is popular for its religious aura where one can seek the blessings of Goddess Ganga to live a happy and prosperous life. The pilgrimage holds multiple mythologies associated with its origin and this believes to be one of the most striking elements of this place.

Best Time to Visit Gangotri Temple

As stated above that the holy shrine of Goddess Ganga has been established on a huge elevation amidst the rough and steep terrains, so it is not recommended to explore this pilgrimage throughout the year. Also, likewise, other holy sites of the Char Dham circuit, Gangotri is also an annual pilgrimage as it witnesses heavy snowfall during the winter season and massive rainfall in the monsoon months. If we talk about the weather and the climatic condition of the destination then Gangotri tends to witness a cold climate throughout the year (summers at night are even very cold and one must carry woolens), so after considering this point in mind we advise the travelers to plan their trip either between April and June or in the months of September and October. However, Summer is the most preferred season to embark on this holy yatra as the weather is quite pleasant and favorable in these months, so what are you waiting for now? Check out the most suitable and budget-friendly Gangotri Yatra tour packages and get ready to pay homage to the deity and seek her blessings for lifelong prosperity and wealth.

Gangotri in Monsoon: The destination receives heavy rainfall in this season which makes it very difficult for travelers to climb on the hills and the steep terrains. Being a hugely elevated site, Gangotri is very much prone to landslides hence, we don’t recommend monsoon months.

Gangotri in Summer: Summer is the ideal time to explore Gangotri Dham and to seek the blessings of Goddess Ganga as it doesn’t create any hurdles on the way. The weather and the climatic condition are quite favorable and pleasant in the summer months. However, the nights are cold so you need to carry enough woolen with you to stay fit and fine.

Gangotri in Winter: This hugely elevated destination witness a gradual fall in temperature that sometimes reaches sub-zero level and hence the entire region gets covered with thick sheets of snow. Also, the shrine of River Ganga gets closed with the onset of the winter season, so Gangotri Dham exploration in the winter season is not at all a good idea.

How to Reach?

One of the most important holy pedestals of the Char Dham yatra circuit, Gangotri Temple is established in Uttarakhand amidst the Himalayas, and reaching here is the first thought that comes up in everyone’s mind and if you are also one who is confused about which mode of transport to opt for exploring this holy site then scroll down the page and get the detailed information.

By Airways: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport established at a distance of almost 250 km and is well connected to Delhi with frequent flights and is pretty well connected with other cities by the motorable roads.

By Helicopter: One of the best initiations to reach such a hugely elevated shrine is helicopter services and is very helpful for those who are unable to explore this religious yatra due to ill health or a hectic schedule.

By Railways: Rishikesh is the nearest railhead to Gangotri which is almost 234 km ahead of the pilgrimage and is well connected with several other major destinations of India. However, one can also take a train to Haridwar but trains to Rishikesh are frequent and the best thing is that you can easily find a taxi or cab the moment you come out of the railway station.

By Roadways: Gangotri is very well connected to several major destinations of Uttarakhand state including Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Tehri Garhwal, Rishikesh, etc. As the roads are well maintained so you can also hire a taxi or cab from Delhi.

Places to Visit in and Around Gangotri Temple

There is no dearth of scenic sites in Gangotri and the region is studded with several travel destinations a few of the most important travel wonders are listed below:

Gangotri Temple - A Holy Shrine Dedicated to Goddess Ganga

An astonishing architecture constructed with marble that ascends up to 20 feet high and is believed to be almost 300 or more years old. However, the original construction of this shrine dates back to the 18th century but it is believed to have been reconstructed in the 20th century by the Maharaja of Jaipur. Visiting this immensely sacred place and seeking the blessings of the deity is one of the most cherished dreams of each Hindu devout and as per the statistics of the tourism department, it is said that more than 2.5lac people flock to this place.

• Visiting Days and Time: Throughout the week between 6:15 am and 2 pm and then from 3 pm to 9:30 pm.

Dharali - A Mesmerizing and Soul-Soothing Hamlet

Inarguably, there is no dearth of tourist attractions in Gangotri and one must plan their holiday at least once in their life span. This picturesque hamlet in Uttarakhand is worldwide popular for its panoramic landscapes and unrivaled beauty, so if you are a nature lover and want to spend some time amidst natural wonders then there is no other place better than Dharali. If you are traveling to Dharali for the first time then you should know a few of the striking features of this hamlet including you must not skip visiting the apple orchards and do not forget to treat your taste buds with the lip-smacking Rajma Chawal.

We have compiled all the required information that one needs to know before planning their journey to Gangotri. If you like our efforts then do appreciate us by sharing and liking this post and you can also write down your own thoughts about this article in the comment box as we would love to hear your valuable feedback.