Gangotri is
located at the base of the Garwhal Hills in the Uttarkashi district of
Uttarakhand, India and is the origin of the Ganges River. The river holds great
religious significance in Hinduism and is one of four holy sites on the
important pilgrimage circuit. As a result, it is a popular tourist spot that
attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year, when the Gangotri Temple is
opened.
What You
Should See and Do
The Submerged Shivling
A very popular Shivling
(a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva) is present here and this submerged rock has
religious significance. The Shivling can be seen when the water level goes down
in the month of January and is regarded as a sacred spot where the Goddess
Ganga first touched ground.
This is the main
attraction associated with Gangotri and all subsequent sites such as the shrine
of the Goddess have been constructed up around this. Owing to the fact that this
site is of religious importance, the area sees a large number of pilgrims and
tourists over a short span of six months.
The Gangotri Temple
The temple is an
18th century structure made of white granite and was constructed by
General Amar Singh. It is located on the left bank of the Ganges River and is
situated close to the sacred stone. It is dedicated to the Goddess Ganga. A
number of small shrines and temples have sprung up around the area and
accommodation for visitors is offered in the form of some ashrams on the other bank
of the river.
Dayara Bugyal
Literally
translated, the name means ‘high altitude meadow in Dayaraand’ and this is one
of the lesser known but highly appealing attractions of Gangotri. En route to
the site is the popular Sheshnag Temple which is a must-see spot for pilgrims who
take the time out to visit the meadow.
Excursion Options
Gangotri is one
of the four holy spots associated with the Char Dham pilgrimage along with
Yamunotri, Nandanvan Tapovan, Kedar Tal, and Gaumukhand. Pilgrims and tourists
normally visit these locations and since they are difficult to access by road,
rail or air, they make their trips in the form of excursions.
Gangotri is an
ideal place for every tourist visiting India and this is a region where you’ll
be exposed to the country’s cultural and religious heritage.
When and How
to Visit Gangotri
The temple at
Gangotri is open between the months of May and November and this is the peak
period when major tourist activity is observed.
Gangotri can be
accessed through rail and flights up to Rishikesh and Jolly Grant Airport
respectively after which your journey must be continued through road. The
government of Uttarakhand provides bus and taxi services to tourists so that
they can reach the holy site. These services are targeted towards making your
trip easier, so that you can spend less time worrying about commute and more
time taking in the beauty of the region.
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