shakti · Uttarakhand

Gangotri Dham

गङ्गोत्री धाम

Presiding deity: Goddess Ganga (sacred river personified)

Established: Current temple built 18th century by Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa; site pre-Vedic

Darshan timings

06:15–14:00, 15:00–21:30 IST

Average wait

15 mins–1 hour; longer on Ganga Dussehra and weekends

Best season

May–June and September–October (closed Diwali to Akshaya Tritiya)

Daily visitors

5,000–12,000 in season (peak: 25,000+ on Ganga Dussehra, Akshaya Tritiya)

Significance

Second of the Char Dham circuit. Source of the holy Ganga — bathing here equals merit of all tirthas per Vamana Purana.

Legend

King Bhagiratha performed 1000-year tapasya here to bring Ganga from heaven to liberate his 60,000 ancestors. Shiva caught Ganga in his matted locks to soften her fall.

How to reach

Direct motorable up to temple — 250 km from Rishikesh via Uttarkashi. No trek required at Gangotri itself. Source (Gaumukh) is 18 km further trek.

Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (270 km)

Nearest railway: Rishikesh (250 km) or Dehradun (240 km)

Where to stay

GMVN tourist rest house; dharamshalas; ashrams of various sampradayas. Limited rooms — book ahead in peak season.

Primary pujas performed here

Ganga Abhishek
Aarti
Pind Daan for ancestors
Vishnu Sahasranama recitation

What to offer: Ganga jal collected at source, sesame seeds, flowers, deepak. Pind daan rituals for ancestors common.

Dress code

Warm modest clothing; remove shoes at temple entrance

Photo policy

Permitted in temple complex; restricted inside sanctum

Modern access

Annual pilgrim count 6-8 lakh. Gaumukh (actual glacial source) requires permit + 18 km trek through Gangotri National Park. Heli-services available to Harsil base.

✓ Online booking available

Nearby tirthas

Yamunotri (220 km)
Gaumukh (18 km trek)
Tapovan
Bhagirath Shila
Pandav Gufa