Gangotri Temple

Gangotri Temple is one of the Char Dhams in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It is located at a height of 3048 meter and at a distance of 98 km from Uttarkashi. It is the highest and most important temple of the Goddess Ganga. “Gangotri” is Sanskrit word which means Ganga+Uttari i.e. Ganga flows in a northwesterly direction.

This 18th century temple made of white granite structure at the height of 20 ft attracts tremendous devotees to catch the holy glimpses of the divine stature of power- the holy goddess Ganges.

Gangotri Temple is 228 km from Yamunotri temple, another pilgrim place of Chota Char Dham Yatra. Uttarakashi is the gateway to Gangotri and there is no other way to reach Gangotri by road. Here road ends and trekking rout to Gaumukh starts.

Gaumukh glacier is the source of Bhagirathi River which is also known as Ganga River before the confluence with Alaknanda at Devprayag. The Glacier is situated 18kms from Gangotri. ‘Gau’ means Cow and ‘Mukh’ means face hence the combined meaning of Gaumukh is cow’s face. If you carefully observe the cave from where the water gushes out it will resemble as a cow’s face. Gaumukh is the second largest glacier of India, only after the Siachen glacier.

And, a natural submerged rock in the form of partial shivaling along the Gangotri Temple brings great significance to all where it is believed to be the same spot where Lord Shiva entangled the great waves of river Ganges in his matted locks.