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Gangotri Temple
Goddess Ganga · Chota Char Dham · Uttarakhand
॥ ॐ नमो गङ्गायै नमः ॥
The Gangotri Temple, in the high Uttarkashi Himalaya, honours the river-goddess Ganga at the place where, by faith, she first descended to the earth. Standing in white stone on the bank of the Bhagirathi — the name the young Ganga carries here — it is one of the Chota Char Dham, open through the mountain summer, and the spiritual gateway to the glacier source of the holiest of rivers.
Where Ganga came to earth
The great legend tells of King Bhagiratha, who through fierce penance brought the heavenly Ganga down to release the souls of his ancestors; and of Shiva, who caught the falling torrent in his matted locks so the earth would not be shattered. Gangotri marks that descent, and the river here bears the king’s name, Bhagirathi, until it joins the Alaknanda far below at Devprayag to become the Ganga.
A temple of the Gorkha age
The present white-stone shrine was raised in the 18th century by the Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa, and rebuilt since, set among pine and deodar on the riverbank. Near the temple lies the submerged Shivling rock, visible in winter when the river runs low — said to be the very spot where Shiva received the descending Ganga.
The road to the source
Gangotri town is the road-head; the true source of the river, the Gaumukh glacier snout, lies a further day’s trek up the valley through the Gangotri National Park. The temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya and closes near Diwali, when the goddess’s image is carried down to Mukhba village for the winter.
How to reach Gangotri
- By road: Gangotri is reached by mountain road from Rishikesh via Uttarkashi, about 290 km.
- By train: Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest railheads.
- By air: Dehradun (Jolly Grant) is the nearest airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gangotri Temple?
It is a Chota Char Dham shrine in Uttarkashi honouring the river-goddess Ganga at the place where, by tradition, she first descended to the earth, on the bank of the Bhagirathi.
What is the legend of Gangotri?
King Bhagiratha’s penance brought the heavenly Ganga down to free his ancestors, and Shiva caught the falling river in his locks. Gangotri marks that descent; the river here is called Bhagirathi.
Who built the Gangotri Temple?
The present white-stone temple was built in the 18th century by the Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa and has been rebuilt since.
Is Gangotri the actual source of the Ganga?
Gangotri town is the road-head and temple; the true glacial source, Gaumukh, lies a further day’s trek up the valley through the Gangotri National Park.
When is Gangotri open?
The temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya in spring and closes near Diwali, when the goddess’s image is taken down to Mukhba village for the winter.
How do I reach Gangotri?
It is reached by mountain road from Rishikesh via Uttarkashi (about 290 km). Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest railheads and Dehradun the nearest airport.
॥ जय माँ गंगे ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Goddess Ganga (Bhagirathi here) |
| Significance | Chota Char Dham; descent-place of the Ganga |
| Built | 18th c, Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa |
| River | Bhagirathi |
| Source | Gaumukh glacier, a trek upstream |
| Season | Akshaya Tritiya to near Diwali |