Location : In
the north Indian state of
Uttaranchal
Tourist
Attraction : Gangotri
Temple, Gomukh glacier, Kedar
Taal, Submerged Shivalinga,
Vasuki Tal, Kalindikhal,
Nandanvan.
Best Activities :
Trekking, mountaineering, rock
climbing.
Nearby Tourist
Destinations : Dodi Taal
Lake, Gangotri- Kedarnath Trek,
Gangotri- Nandavan-Tapovan Trek,
Gaumukh, Kedar Tal, Nachiketa
Taal, Uttar Kashi. It is
approximately 300 km from
Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh
and 105 km from Uttarkashi.
When to Visit :
The summers are cool and winters
are very cold, with rains in the
months of May and June. For the
tourists, the gates of the
temple are open only in the
months of May to November.
About Gangotri
Gangotri is an ideal location
for the tourists looking for
peace and adventure. Located in
the hills, 18 kms downstream
from Gaumukh is Gangotri. It is
an important pilgrim site
located at 3,048 m above sea
level. Gangotri is situated in
the northern part of the state
of Uttaranchal and is very close
to the Indo-Tibetan border.
Gangotri glaciers, the original
source of the sacred river
Ganges,
attracts
tourists in large numbers every
season. Discover the daunting
rivers and attempt to reveal the
mysteries of the natural world,
which are rare to find
elsewhere. Along with the thrill
of exploring nature, what one
experiences here is the aura
that India is totally Indian.
At Gangotri there is a temple
dedicated to Goddess Ganga and
the sacred stone where Raja
Bhagirath is believed to have
worshipped Lord Shiva. Submerged
in the river here is the natural
rock Shivalinga where Lord Shiva
is believed to have received the
Ganges (called Bhagirathi here)
in his matted locks. It is
visible in the winter months
when the water level recedes.
Major Tourist
Attractions in Gangotri
Gangotri
The shrine of Gangotri is around
300 years old. Renovated in the
20th century, the shrine is a
20-feet high structure of white
granite. During the winters the
statue is taken to Mukhimath
village where it is worshipped.
There is a natural rock
Shivalinga, called the Jalamagna
Shivalinga. This is the place
where Lord Shiva received Ganga
in his locks. Visible only
during winters.
Gaumukh glacier
The famous site nearby is the
Gaumukh glacier, which is at an
altitude of 4200 m above sea
level. It is the geographical
origin of the Ganges and is at a
distance of 18 km from Gangotri
uphill. Here Ganges is known as
the Bhagirathi.
Cheedvasa & Bhojvasa
From Gangotri is Cheedvasa at a
distance of 28 kms. Bhojvasa, is
at a distance of 22 km, both are
an ideal camping site.
Nandanvan
Nandanvan is a 6 kms trekking
route along the glacier and
gives a spectacular glimpse of
the Shivalinga. Across the
Gangotri glacier is the Sylvan
Tapovan, which is known for its
greenness encircling the base of
the Shivalinga peak. From here,
one can go to Vasuki Tal,
Kalindikhal, at a height of 5590
m to reach Badrinath.
Getting There
Air
: Nearest airport is Jolly
Grant (26 kms from Rishikesh).
Rail : Nearest railhead
is at Rishikesh.
Road : Gangotri is
connected by road to Uttar Kashi,
Tehri Garhwal, Rishikesh and
other parts of the country. It
is approximately 300 km from
Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh
and 105 km from Uttarkashi.
Accommodation
Accommodations are good enough
for all types of tourists coming
from all over. There are
numerous forest rest houses,
tourist's rest houses set by the
Uttar Pradesh government. There
are also several moderate
quality hotels nearby and also a
PWD Inspection Bungalow. There
are a few dharamshalas and
guesthouses that provide
reasonable accommodation.
