Gangotri

One of the four Dhams, Gangotri, dedicated to goddess Ganga, is situated in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Nestled amidst the Himalayas, dense forest, and glaciers, this temple offers picturesque landscapes and divine atmosphere. This revered place is located approximately 237 km from Dehradun and is easily accessible by road. It is one of the highest pilgrimage sites, situated approximately 3415 meters above sea level.

Standing 20 feet tall, this temple is made of white granite that offers an enchanting view with a snow covered mountain in the backdrop. Beauty and piousness of this temple draws lakhs of pilgrims every year, to offer their prayers and seek the blessings of deity Ganga Maa.

Among the Chota Char Dham, this religious site holds significant importance among devotees. Gaumukh, where the holy ganga originates in the form of Bhagirathi, is situated around 19 km from this temple. And the devotees who are on the pilgrimage of Char Dham collect holy Bhagirathi water and offer it at Kedarnath temple.

Afterwards, they take Bhasma from Kedarnath and offer it at Badrinath, where they collect Tulsi rosaries and pray for their salvation. Legends has it that, Mother Ganga descends to Earth from the locks of Lord Shiva to absolve the sins of King Bhagirathi ancestors, who performed penance to Shiva. That’s why she is considered the epitome of purity for mankind. Performing ancestral rites on the river Bhagirathi frees the ancestor’s spirit from the cycle of rebirth, and a holy dip may cleanse all your sins committed from past to the present.

Gangotri Dham shrine portal remains open until Diwali, and after that, the idol of the deity is kept for the next six months at Mukhba Village near Harshil. Pilgrims may visit some other places during their pilgrimage, among them Gauri Kund, Surya Kund, Kedartal, submerged Shivling (often visible during early winter when the water level is low), Pandav Cave, Tapovan, Bhairon Valley, and Gaumukh are prominent.