Credit: Sandeep Kumar
About Gangotri Temple
Gangotri Temple is a popular pilgrimage site in the Uttarakashi district of Uttarakhand . Situated at an altitude of 3,883m on the banks of River Bhagirathi, Gangotri temple is a sacred place for Hindus and has a number of interesting facts about it. The natural beauty of this temple attracts thousands of travellers from all over India every year. It’s peak season begins from July to September every year. If you are planning to visit the Gangotri temple anytime soon, you can register on the official website, Chardham Yatra Places Uttarakhand Registration . The gate of the temple is open to visitors starting May 10, 2024.
History and Origin of Gangotri Temple
The Gangotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. The temple is situated on the banks of the River Bhagirathi, which originates from the Gaumukh glacier.
The shrine is believed to have been built thousands of years ago. The temple has several legends associated with it, one of which is very interesting. It talks about the Hindu deity Brahma, who created the universe. According to the legend, Brahma is believed to have taken bath in the Bhagirathi River. He felt very guilty as he created the universe while he was in an impure state. He felt he needed to take a bath in the Ganga to become purified. It is said that the water from the River Ganga collected in Gangotri and the place where this happened is now known as the Gangotri Temple. ‘
Other mythological stories tell that Bhaigirathi was called upon by King Bhagirathi to clean the souls of his ancestors. He was a great Shiva devotee and made rigorous penance to please him. Lord Shiva was holding the Ganga because of the immense power of the river. Happy from his devotee, Lord Shiva opened the matted lock and descending Ganga on earth. On arriving, King Bhagirathi guided the river toward Gangorti, where he built a temple known as the Gangorti Temple as a mark of respect and devotion.
Amar Singh Thapa Connection
The current structure of Gangotri temple has been constructed by the Amar Singh Thapa. He was a Gorkha commander who ordered the construction of the temple around the 18th century, although the site has been a Hindu pilgrimage site for centuries.
Gangotri temple Architecture
Gangotri temple is made up of white marble stone and looks white in color. It stands up to a height of 20 feet from the ground.The current structure was made by Amar Singh Thapa, “Living Lion of Nepal,” although it has been a pilgrimage site for ages.
The predominant shikhara style transforms itself into 5 small apex (shikaras). The main sanctum (Garbhagriha) of the temple is built on a raised platform and consists of an idol of Goddess Ganga. It also has idols of Lakshmi, Anapurna, Saraswati, and Yamuna. Adi Shankarcharya and Bhagirathi. Apart from the main sanctum, there are four small temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Bhagirathi, Lord Shiva, and Ganesha.
How Do I Reach Gangotri Temple?
There are multiple options to reach Gannotri Temple; most visitors use the road mode of transportation.
By Road
It is approximately 100 km away from Rishikesh. The road distance from Delhi to Gangotri Temple is approximately 423 km. From Delhi, one can hire a bus or a cab to reach the Gangotri Temple.
By Air
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. From there, one can hire a cab or a taxi to reach the Gangotri Temple.
By Train
The closest railway station is Rishikesh. From Rishikesh, one can hire a cab or a taxi to reach the Gangotri Temple.
Best Time To Travel To Gangotri Temple
The first thing to keep in mind is that there is a huge rush in Gangotri temple since gates are open this season. So avoid visiting the temple in May. The best time to visit Gangotri Temple is after the monsoon season, in the months of October and November. The last date of closing temple gate is Nov 3, 2024. During the monsoon season, the region receives heavy rainfall, and the probability of landslides increases.
You can also visit the Gangotri temple during the winter season. Though gates are closed in the month of winter, the scenic landscape of the region changes completely. Temples receive a good amount of snowfall, so do carry warm clothes and other necessities. In winter, the temperatures touch zero degrees at night and remain high in the range of 5–10 degrees Celsisus.
If you are interested in knowing more about Gangotri Temple, you can read about it at official Uttarakhand Tourism
Maps and Location
Coordinates of Gangotri Temple: 30.994°N 78.941°E