Gangotri Travel Guide Instead of being a tourist spot, Gangotri is mostly considered a city for Hindu pilgrimage. To a certain degree, this is indeed true, but things have recently begun to change here. The number of tourists coming to Gangotri is now rising every year that passes. Once upon a time, the only tourists in Gangotri were of the devotional kind. But you’ll find adventure lovers now, too Icycle riders and here. Gangotri’s Gaumukh trek is considered one of the most visited treks and attracts thousands of people every year. Among biker groups, the steep climb and picturesque drive from Rishikesh to Gangotri is fast becoming a favourite. New hotels and guest houses are erected every year to accommodate the growing number of visitors. So, yeah, tourism is booming in Gangotri And it’s a perfect place for your next trip that you should suggest.
For a brief introduction, Gangotri is a city in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state. It is a major Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the Bhagirathi River at an altitude of 3,100 metres, and is regarded as the point of origin of the Ganges River. It was here, according to Hindu mythology, the Goddess Ganga Down from heaven to earth; into the locks of the hair of Lord Shiva. The entire town and local life is based around the temple of Gangotri, originally constructed in the nineteenth century by the Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa. The town is also now a popular tourist spot due to its altitude and location. What I will be addressing in this article is how you can schedule a visit to Gangotri.
History Of Gangotri Temple
The Grand Temple of Ma Ganga in Gangotri Dham is a place of fascination for pilgrims at an altitude of 3000 metres from sea level. It is located on the Bhagirathi river’s left bank. The temple was founded in the 18th century by General Amar Singh Thapa of Gorkha. The temple is made of white marble, with an idol made of Ma Ganga Gold. The temple stays open for Darshan for six months Owing to the heavy snow-fall, six months remain closed throughout winter. The Idol of Ma Ganga was brought down to Mukhuwa village near Dharali during the winter. The main temple of the Shrine is located near Bhagirath Shila (a rock where Lord Shiva was worshipped by King Bhagirath). Pilgrims take with them Bhagirathi’s holy water.
Gangotri Dham Temple Darshan Timing
Morning – 6:15 am to 2:00 pm
Evening – 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm
The Shri Gangotri Temple is open every morning from 06:15 AM to 2:00 PM during the Yatra season and from 03:00 PM to 09:30 PM in the evening for Darshan and Pooja. Every morning, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., the Shri Gangotrii Ji priest performs Mangal Aarti. Evening Shayan Aarti helds every day from 6:30 pm to 7:30 PM after which the door of the temple is closed for Pilgrims.
Places to visit in Gangotri
Places to visit in Gangotri In and near Gangotri Dham, there are numerous places of tourist interest for any kind of traveller. For nature lovers, while there is Vishwa Nath temple, Gaumukh Glacier, NandVan Tapovan, Kedar Ganga Sangam, Bhairon Ghati, Gnag Nani, Maneri, Harsil, Kedartal, there is Uttarkashi at the same time.
Harsil
Harsil is located 76 km from the town of Uttarkashi and 24 km from Gangotri. Harsil is an unspoiled, secret gem of the state of Uttarakhand, offering ample scope in the lap of the Himalayas for people seeking peace and serenity. It is located at an elevation of 2620 metres on the banks of the Bhagirathi river. Among travel enthusiasts and nature lovers, Harsil has become popular in recent years The highlights of this destination are the Bhagirathi River, the chirping of birds and a safe climate. During summers, the temperature of Harsil remains nice and during winters, it is cold.
Gaumukh
The Gangotri Glacier’s terminus is said to resemble the mouth of a cow, and the site is called Goumukh or Gaumukh (gou, cow + mukh, face). The precise source of the Bhagirathi River, an important tributary of the Ganga, is Goumukh, which is about 18 km (11 miles) from the town of Gangotri. Goumukh is located near Shivling ‘s base; the Tapovan meadow lies in between.
Gangnani
Gangnani is located 72 km away from Uttarkashi, en route to Gangotri. Gangnani also leads the stretched route to another place worth visiting at a distance of 12 km, called Bhatwari. Gangnani is a place to see the famous peaks of the mountains surrounding Gangotri. Gangnani is also renowned for its hot water springs, an explorer’s delight. The air and the surroundings are so pure that one leaves this place totally charged and rejuvenated.
Dayara Bugyal
According to the local language, the term Bugyal means high altitude meadow. A road branches off near Bhatwari on the path to Gangotri, and this will lead you to Dayara Bugyal. The distance to Dayara Bugyal from Uttarkashi is 32 km. You can take a vehicle to the village of Barsu, and a three-kilometer trek will take you to Dayara. While there, the beauty of this broad meadow will absolutely enchant you. The place is memorable because of a small lake and spectacular views of the Himalayas. From here, a 30-km trek through dense forests will take you to Dodi Tal.
How to Reach Gangotri
How to reach Gangotri by Air: The closest air terminal, Jolly Grant Airport, is located at a distance of approximately 226 km from Gangotri. Arranged in Dehradun, the aircraft terminal operates standard flights from Delhi, the capital of India. You can take a ride to the air terminal along these lines and then hire a taxi from that point to reach the consecrated town of Gangotri Taxi or taxi charges will cost you around Rs 4,000.
How to reach Gangotri by Train : You will have to enter the Rishikesh railroad station if you want to go by train, which is also the closest station at 250 km from Gangotri. You’ll see a lot of taxis ready to carry you to your destination in the wake of hitting a base at the railroad station. For taxi charges, you’ll have to pay somewhere between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000.
How to reach Gangotri by Road : You can achieve Gangotri without much of a stretch catch vacationer transportation from places like Yamunotri, Mussoorie and Tehri. In order to achieve the city, there are both private luxury transportation and state transport.