Gangotri Temple

Special Rituals performed in temple

Before performing the Puja rituals, a holy dip in the Ganga flowing nearby the temple is a must. The Pujari’s (priest) belong to Brahmin community from Mukhwa village. Ten of them are selected by rotation every year to perform all the functions covering the temple and they also perform the duties.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity

The most sacred of all rivers is the Ganga. The Ganga symbolizes purity. It washes away all sins. It is compared to a mother goddess who presides through all the stages of life: from birth to death. The river is believed to have been born out of Vishnu’s big toe. It is said to flow through the skies (like the Milky Way).

Temple Daily Schedule

Morning: 6:15 am to 2:00 pm

Evening: 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Opening and Closing of the Temple

Like the Sister Shrine of Yamunotri, Gangotri opens every year on the day of “Akshaya-Tritiya”, which falls during last week of April or first week of May with formal Pooja of Gangaji. Gangotri Temple closes on the day of Diwali after performing closing rituals along with usual Pooja. During the rest of the period Gangotri Temple is covered with snow. The idol of the goddess is kept at Mukhba village, near Harsil during this period.