Gangotri is one of the Char Dham of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the magnificent Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of 3048 meters and is 105 kms. from Uttarkashi. The Gangotri shrine is seen as the spiritual source of Hinduism's most sacred river, the Ganga. According to Hindu mythology, Ganga, the stream of life, was granted as a reward for king Bhagirathi's severe penance, and the river is worshipped as a deity. The physical source of the river is at Gaumukh, 18 kms. southeast of Gangotri, along the Gangotri Glacier.

The temple at Gangotri, which is visited by thousands of pilgrims between May and November, was built by a Gorkha Commander Amar Singh Thapa in the arly 18th century.

General Information:
Area : 1 sq. km.
Population : 1180 (1991 census)
Altitude : 10,250 ft. above sea level
Season : May-June
               September-October
Clothing (Summer) : Woolens
              (Winter) : Heavy Woolens
Language : Hindi, Garhwali, English
Local Transport : Buses/Taxis/Cars
Imp.:- The temple and the township remains closed between November and May.

Accessibility
Rail: Nearest railway station is at Rishikesh 248 kms.
Road: Bus services of Samyukt Rotation Yatayat Vyawastha Samiti connect Gangotri with Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, Delhi etc. Some important road distances are: Uttarkashi-97 kms, Tehri-167 kms, Dharasu-125 kms, Yamunotri-232 kms, Mussoorie-250 kms.

Places of Interest
Gangotri Temple: The shrine of Gangotri is situated at an elevation of 3048 mtrs. above sea level. It is said that Raja Bhagirath used to worship Lord Shiva at the sacred stone nearby. This temple is credited to have been built by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa, Madho Singh, the ruler of Jaipur renovated the temple in the early 20th century. The 20 ft high temple is made of white granite.

Submerged Shivling: A natural rock Shivling, which according to legends, is where Lord Shiva sat to receive Ganga in his matted locks. It normally shows up during the winter months when the waters are clearer. Other places of interest are: Bhagirathi Temple, Gauri Kund, Bhojvasa, Harsil, Lanka, Sat Tal.

Accommodation

• Hotel
• Forest Rest House
• Inspection Bungalow

Adventure Sports:
Mountaineering : Gangotri Glacier is surrounded by many high peaks which offer challenging opportunities for mountaineering. For guidance and assistance contact : Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi or Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi.

Shopping
There are a several shops which have a variety of trinkets and ritual items for sale.

Excursions
Gaumukh Situated at a height of 12,960 ft, Gaumukh is the source of the river Ganga. The Gangotri Glacier, which lies at a height of 13,662 ft beyond Chaukhamba extends as far as Gaumukh. The Ganga gushes out of the glacier, here. Enroute accommodation is available only at Chirbasa(11,830 ft), 10 kms before Gaumukh.

Nandan-Van/Tapovan: Nandanvan is 6 kms of difficult trekking along the glacier on the same side as Gaumukh. Base camp for the Bhagirathi peaks, it affords a stunning view of the Shivling peak. Tapovan is across the snout of the Gangotri Glacier and requires trekking experience to reach. It is known for its exquisite meadows which encircle the base of the Shivling peak.

Bhairon Ghati: It is situated at a distance of 9 kms from Gangotri towards Uttarkashi. The temple of Bhairav Nath in thick forests, is an added attraction.

Uttarkashi: This pilgrimage center is at a distance of 97 kms from Gangotri. Its main attraction are the Vishwanath and Kuteti Devi temples. It is accessible by road.

Kedartal: This enchanting lake lies 18 kms from Gangotri, and is about 15,000 feet above sea level. It is a base camp for trekking to surrounding peaks.

Harsil: Situated amidst the incredible beauty of mountain peaks, 2620 mts high is the quite resort of Harsil. Sightseeing here includes the Wilson cottage built in 1864 and sat tal or Seven lakes, one also has a choice to set off on various treks that introduce one to meadows, waterfalls and valleys.