Gangotri is a small town centered around the temple of Gangotri temple and is one of the holy places among the four Char Dhams. It is the highest and the most important temple of river Ganga which is worshiped as a Goddess in India.
The origin of the holy river is at Gaumukh, set in the Gangotri glacier that can be accessed by a short 19 km trek from Gangotri. But according to Hindu mythology, Gangotri is the place where river Ganga descended from heaven when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from his luscious locks.
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Gangotri along with the Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath forms the Chota Char Dham which is an important pilgrimage place of the Hindus. Like other Chota Char Dhams, the Gangotri temple also closes during the winter season. During which the idol of the goddess is shifted to Ma Ganga temple in Mukhba village, about 20 km downstream. The town Gangotri remains open from May and gets closed on the occasion of Diwali festival.
There are many shops which sell prasads and light weight cans to carry water from Gangotri after Darshan. Holy Ganga water is pure and used in poojas or offering in temple. There are Ashrams and few hotels located on the other side of temple for tourists and pilgrims accommodation.
The Gangotri Temple traditionally reopens on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, typically in the months of April or May, and closes during the Diwali festival after remaining accessible for six months throughout the summer. Due to heavy snowfall in the region, the Gangotri temple remains closed during the winter season.
In 2024, Gangotri dham opened on 10 May 2024 marking the commencement of Char Dham Yatra 2024.
The portals of Gangotri Dham were closed for winters on 02 Nov 2024, a day after Diwali. The deity of Gangotri was placed at Mukhba Village near Harsil on 4 Nov 2024 where the deity is worshipped during winters.
Gangotri is a perfect place to enrapture in the serenity and sanctity as the place has a picturesque landscape. With the snow-clad Himalayas located in the vicinity and the Bhagirathi River flowing in eternity at this heavenly place, one can feel close to God in the blissful aura of Gangotri. One can pay obeisance at the Gangotri temple which stands at an altitude of 3,415 meters above sea level. Gangotri offers scenic vistas of rugged terrains, gushing water of Bhagirathi River and snow-clad peaks.
Gangotri is also the starting point for some trek routes like Tapovan, Bhojwasa, Gaumukh, Gangotri glacier, Gangotri national park, Shivling peak, etc. Some of the popular tourist attractions in and around Gangotri town are the Gangotri temple, Bhagirath Shila, Pandava Gufa, Tapovan, Bhairon Ghati, the Gaumukh glacier, and the submerged Shivalinga.
Gangotri is one of the origin sources of Holy River Ganga (Ganges), and one of the important Char Dham pilgrimage in Hindu Religion. The main origin of the river is “Gaumukh” which is a glacier located 19 km away from gangotri temple. Ganga river is the longest and most sacred river in world.
Gangotri is located at an altitude of 3100 meters above sea level, on the banks of Bhagirathi river.
Note: It is said that at the time of construction of temple, Gaumukh Glacier was here but receded to it's present location due to global warming.
The Temple of Gangotri Dham is closed during winters, you can check the closing and opening dates here. Winter seat of Gangotri is located in Mukhwa. Know more about Winter Char Dham Yatra, Mukhba Tourism.
With the closing of Badrinath Temple on 17 Nov, the Char Dham Yatra for year 2024 has concluded. Over 46.17 lakh pilgrims visited Char Dham this year.
| Dham | No. of Pilgrims |
| Kedarnath | 16,52,076 |
| Badrinath | 14,35,341 |
| Gangotri | 8,15,273 |
| Yamunotri | 7,14,755 |
More than six thousand devotees arrived in Yamunotri and Gangotri Dham last day. With this, the number of visiting devotees in these two Dhams during this Yatra period has crossed twelve lakhs. This time a large number of pilgrims are also coming to both the Dhams through heli services. In view of this, the administration has made all the necessary arrangements to ensure that the Yatra is completed in a safe and systematic manner along with making the arrangements related to the Yatra foolproof.
Trekking: Perched at an elevation of 3,000 meters, Gangotri shrine is nestled amidst the imposing lush green hills as the river Ganges flows beside the shrine. There are many places in the vicinity where one could trek and enjoy the mesmerizing Himalayan views.
Pilgrimage: Gangotri shrine is one of the four revered Char Dham in Uttarakhand and is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Every year, thousands of devotees visit the Gangotri temple to seek blessings from the Goddess Ganga for a happy and fulfilling life.
Shopping: Since Gangotri is a revered place, there are many shops which sell religious idols of deities and other devotional items. One can buy local handicrafts such as shawls, woolens, religious paintings and Tibetan artifacts at Gangotri.
Gangotri Temple: A key attraction in Gangotri, the revered Gangotri Temple sits along the banks of the Bhagirathi River, dedicated to Goddess Ganga. It is one of the sacred sites in the Chota Char Dham Yatra. Pilgrims can take a purifying dip in the holy waters of the Bhagirathi River. To reach the temple, visitors must walk approximately 1 kilometer from the parking area, passing through a vibrant lane filled with shops and restaurants.
Surya Kund: Just 500 meters from Gangotri Temple, Surya Kund is a stunning waterfall known for its forceful water that has shaped the rocks into smooth, sculpted curves. The site is believed to receive the first rays of the sun and holds spiritual significance with a Shivling said to be submerged beneath the waterfall. The mist from the falls often creates a beautiful rainbow effect, adding to its charm.
Pandav Gufa: Situated about 1.6 km from Gangotri Temple, Pandav Gufa is believed to be the cave where the Pandavas from the Mahabharata meditated during their journey to Mount Kailash. The trekking route to this cave is incredibly scenic, taking you through lush pine forests along the Bhagirathi River as it flows westward. Along the way, you will also come across Surya Kund and Gauri Kund, adding to the beauty of the journey.
Gaumukh: Gaumukh Glacier, the origin of the Bhagirathi River, is revered as the birthplace of the Ganga. It is India's second-largest glacier, stretching approximately 30 km in length and 4 km in width. Located within the Gangotri Glacier, Gaumukh serves as a key source for the Ganges River. The trek to Gaumukh is an awe-inspiring journey, offering trekkers stunning landscapes and a profound spiritual experience. This moderate-level trek spans 18 km from Gangotri Dham and sits at an altitude of 4,023 meters, nestled beneath the majestic Mt. Bhagirathi.
Gartang Gali: Gartang Gali is located 10 km from Gangotri Temple, and it is a historic wooden staircase that once played a crucial role in the trade route between India and Tibet. It is also believed to be one of the locations where the Pandavas spent time during their exile. This 150-year-old wooden bridge, constructed by the Peshawari Pathans, offers a unique combination of adventure, history, and breathtaking natural views. If you're visiting the Yamunotri Temple, a trip to Gartang Gali promises a one-of-a-kind experience that's not to be missed. The entry is through a forest check post located at Lanka Bridge on Gangotri highway. A moderate hike of 2 kms from the forest check post takes you to this thrilling yet beautiful place.
Bhaironghati: Located just 10 km from Gangotri Temple at the confluence of the Jadh Ganga and Bhagirathi rivers, Bhairoghati is easily accessible via motorable roads. This scenic spot is home to the Bhairav Nath Temple, dedicated to Lord Bhairav, and features the stunning Bhairon Ghati Bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the gorge. Bhairoghati combines spirituality with natural beauty, making it a worthwhile stop for travelers.
Being a revered pilgrimage for Hindus, Gangotri has various types of accommodations – ranging from luxury hotels to budget guesthouses to Dharamashala's. In addition to that, they also have camping accommodations for tourists and pilgrims. The government has also set up GMVN guesthouses. During the peak season, Gangotri is flocked with pilgrims and finding a place to stay is difficult.
There are plenty of restaurants and roadside food stalls in Gangotri where north Indian vegetarian food is served along with a few popular Chinese dishes. Since Gangotri hold deep religious values for devotees, alcohol and non-vegetarian food is banned in and around Gangotri. Apart from that one can find eating options at the hotels which have an in-house restaurant.
The sacred Gangotri town is built around the holy Gangotri shrine, having it as the epicenter. The aboriginal Gangotri temple was built in the early 18th century by the mighty Gorkha General, Amar Singh Thapa and was later rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur.
There are two mythological tales associated with Gangotri, the first one states that King Sagar, the great grandfather of King Bhagirath wanted to extend his empire, for which he performed the 'Ashwamedha Yagya'. When he was busy in performing the Yagya, his horse was let loose to roam freely across the empire. When the soldiers were unable to locate the horse, the 60,000 sons of King Sagar were asked to find it. While searching for the horse, the sons of King Sagar came across a place where sage Kapila was meditating and noticed that the horse was tied next to him. They interrupted sage Kapila's meditation and accused him of stealing the horse.
Sage Kapila who was pot boiled turned all the 60,000 sons of King Sagar into ashes, cursing them to attain heaven only when the ashes will come in contact with the holy water of river Ganga, (which used to flow only in the heaven). Therefore, King Bhagirath did a serious penance to please river Ganga so that his ancestors could achieve ‘moksha’ or salvation. The penance lasted for more than 1,000 years and King Bhagirath was able to appease the holy river Ganga, to come down to Earth from the heavens above.
While the other legend states that responding to the King Bhagirath’s prayers, Ganga agreed to come down to Earth, also warning that her rapid downpour will annihilate the Earth. Therefore, Lord Shiva held the soaring river Ganga in his luscious locks to save the entire mankind. It is believed that the site where Jalmagna Shivlinga lies is the place where Lord Shiva received the Goddess Ganga in his locks. When the river Ganga started flowing on Earth, the Gangotri temple was erected to shelter her.
Day 1: Delhi- Haridwar / Rishikesh
Distance: 230kms
Time taken: 5-6hrs
Highlights: Har ki Pauri aarti in the evening, temple visits, local delicacies of Haridwar
The journey from Delhi to Haridwar is a smooth one and it will take around 5-6hrs to reach Haridwar. You can either board a train or take a bus to Haridwar. It is advisable to leave early so that you don’t miss the evening aarti at the shores of River Ganga (Har ki Pauri) in Haridwar. You will stay overnight at Haridwar and begin your journey early in the morning.
Note: If you are using public transport to travel then reach Rishikesh because it has plenty of buses and sharable jeeps option towards Uttarkashi or Gangotri. Also, you can book your train ticket to Dehradun too for more public transport options.Day 2: Haridwar- Uttarkashi
Distance: 200kms
Time taken: 6-7hrs
Highlights: Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Vishwanath temple, Maneri Dam & Bhagirathi river
Post breakfast, begin your journey for Uttarkashi. The route to Uttarkashi goes via Chamba. You will start seeing the Himalayan peaks as you move ahead in the journey. You’ll have your lunch en-route Uttarkashi. The route is extremely scenic and you will have a pleasant journey. Explore Uttarkashi and visit India’s Nehru Mountaineering Institute.
Day 3: Uttarkashi- Harsil- Gangotri
Distance: 100kms
Time taken: 2.5hrs
Highlights: Wilson cottage, Sat Tal, Gangnani, Gangotri temple
You’ll have your breakfast at Uttarkashi and leave for Gangotri. You’ll have your lunch at Harsil and spend some time exploring the beautiful village. Visit Wilson cottage, Sat Tal and Gangnani (hot water spring). Post lunch you’ll leave for Gangotri which will take around 1 hour. You’ll ride through dense deodar forests with snow-capped mountains surrounding you.
Situated on the banks of River Bhagirathi, Gangotri Temple will fill your soul with calm and peace. The picturesque location and the giant Himalayas encompassing the place makes it look surreal. You can pray here and explore the temple premises. You will return back to Uttarkashi the same day and stay overnight there after having dinner.
Day 4: Uttarkashi- Haridwar- Delhi
Distance: 430kms
Time taken: 12-14hrs
You’ll have your breakfast at Uttarkashi early in the morning and then leave for Haridwar. The journey passes through scenic landscapes and will provide you with the much-needed rest.
Try to find a seat on the window side as the cool breeze throughout the journey will freshen you up. You will have your lunch at Haridwar and leave for Delhi on the same day. You’ll reach Delhi by the night time and that’ll mark the end of your trip.
Char Dham Destinations
Check out the Gangotri weather report for November
The minimun and maximum temperature in November in Gangotri is 5°C and 17°C respectively. The weather is generally pleasant and clear in November and you would feel chilling cold throughout the day. Heavy Woolen clothes are recommended for Gangotri in November.
Gangotri is famous among tourist as Gangotri Temple, Base of Popular Treks and Expedition, Pilgrimage, Char Dham, Temple.
Gangotri is recommended destination for Family and Kids, Foreigners, Groups, Solo.
Gangotri is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Adventure, Base Camps (Trek), Char Dham Yatra, Pilgrimage, Temples.
