Gangotri

Gangotri

The holy place ‘Gangotri’ is situated at an elevation of 3048 meters above sea level in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state. Situated on the banks of the holy Bhagirathi River, Gangotri is one of the most visited Chardham places in Uttarakhand. The place draws thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year. A visit to this place will make you experience the beauty and richness of age-old Hindu traditions and customs.

A natural rock Shivling situated here, submerged under water is clearly visible during the winter season. It is a huge crowd-puller place for pilgrims and tourists. According to Hindu myths and traditions, this was the place where Lord Shiva sat and collected Ganga River in his matted locks. Due to this reason, all the devotees and followers of the Hindu religion consider it very auspicious.

There are several adventurous and religious activities that one can enjoy in Gangotri. Trekking in Gangotri is a great fun where one can enjoy the lush green hills and mesmerizing Himalayan views. Moreover, thousands of pilgrims visit Gangotri temple in order to take blessings from the Goddess Ganga for a fulfilling and happy life. Besides these, one can also buy local handicrafts such as woolens, religious paintings, Tibetan crafts and shawls at Gangotri.

Gangotri is a perfect place which exudes an aura of divinity and finds its mentions in several Hindu books and scriptures. With Bhagirathi River flowing in eternity at this holy place and the snow-clad Himalayas situated in the vicinity, one can feel very close to God in this beautiful place of Gangotri. Moreover, the Gangotri temple, main attraction in the place, is one of the most elevated temples dedicated to goddess Ganga. The place provides scenic vistas of snow clad peaks, rugged terrains and gushing water of Bhagirathi River. It is also the starting point for some key trekking routes like Bhojwasa, Gangotri Glacier, Tapovan, Gaumukh, Shivling Peak and Gangotri National Park etc.

Places to See in Gangotri

There are many tourist places in Gangotri where visitors can spend their leisure time. There are many sightseeing places here which have touristic appeal as well as religious significance. Explore the below hidden beauties of Gangotri to learn about the most happening places for a memorable vacation in Gangotri.

  • Bhojbasa
  • Gangnani
  • Gangotri Temple
  • Bhaironghati
  • Jalmagna Shivlinga
How to Reach Gangotri

As Gangotri is a famous tourist destination, the place is well connected with the surrounding places both inside and outside Uttarakhand.

Reaching Gangotri By Air: Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun located at a distance of approximately 268 km is the nearest airport to Gangotri. This airport is well connected to Delhi via flights and roads. State buses and taxis are also easily available from the airport for Gangotri. Chopper services can also be hired to Gangotri from Dehradun.

Reaching Gangotri By Road: Bus is the major source of transportation as large number of people travel by roads regularly across the country. Situated at the end of NH 108, Gangotri is well connected by roads with all the major destinations of Uttarakhand. Taxis and buses to Gangotri are easily available from main destinations of Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal.

Reaching Gangotri By Train: Train is one of the best and convenient modes of transportation in India. The closest railhead is situated at Rishikesh, about 280 km from Gangotri. Trains to Rishikesh are very frequent. Private taxis and state buses are readily available from Rishikesh railway station for Gangotri and nearby places.

Places Near Gangotri

To make your visit to Gangotri unforgettable, include some nearby places to your itinerary. All these places can be visited during a day trip from Gangotri.

  • Uttarkashi
  • Dodi Tal
  • Gangnani
  • Kedartal
  • Harsil