Gangotri is one of Uttarakhand’s holiest towns, where the Bhagirathi River flows beside a snow‑clad Himalayan valley and devotion to Maa Ganga defines everyday life. It is a key stop on the Chota Char Dham Yatra and a beautiful base for both pilgrimage and high‑altitude trekking.
Tourism in Gangotri
Tourism in Gangotri is primarily spiritual: lakhs of pilgrims visit each season to seek blessings at Gangotri Temple, take a dip in the icy river, and attend evening aartis on the ghats. In recent years, it has also become popular with trekkers and photographers for routes to Gaumukh, Tapovan and other glacier viewpoints in Gangotri National Park.
Location
Gangotri lies in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, at about 3,100–3,415 metres above sea level. The town is surrounded by lofty peaks and dense forests, roughly 100 km uphill from Uttarkashi and about 240–250 km from Rishikesh by mountain roads.
History
The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and is one of the four Char Dham temples of Garhwal. According to legend, after King Bhagirath’s intense penance, Ganga descended from heaven and Lord Shiva caught her in his matted locks to soften her fall, with Gangotri marking the earthly origin of the holy river. The present temple structure dates back to the early 18th–19th century, rebuilt by regional rulers and later maintained under modern temple committees.
Fairs and festivals
The most important events are the opening of the temple on Akshaya Tritiya (April–May) and the closing around Diwali, after which the deity’s winter seat shifts to Mukhba village. Major festivals like Ganga Dussehra, Diwali and special Ganga aartis draw large crowds, with priests performing elaborate rituals on the riverbank and pilgrims queueing for darshan in the compact temple complex.
How to reach
- By road: Gangotri is reached via Rishikesh–Uttarkashi–Harsil–Gangotri; the last leg from Uttarkashi is about 100 km of scenic but narrow mountain road serviced by shared jeeps, buses and taxis.
- By rail: The nearest major railway stations are Rishikesh and Haridwar; from there, travellers continue by road to Uttarkashi and onward.
- By air: Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun (about 250 km away) is the closest airport, connected by road to Rishikesh and the Char Dham route.
Tourist attractions
- Gangotri Temple: The white stone temple to Maa Ganga right above the Bhagirathi, housing idols of Ganga along with other deities like Yamuna, Annapurna, Saraswati and Bhagirath.
- Bhagirath Shila & river ghats: Sacred rock where Bhagirath is believed to have meditated; pilgrims perform tarpan and snan in the frigid river beside the temple.
- Gaumukh Glacier: A 18–19 km trek from Gangotri, considered the physical source of the Ganga; popular with trekkers and devout visitors alike.
- Tapovan & Nandanvan: High‑altitude meadows and base camps below Shivling and other peaks, reached on tougher treks beyond Gaumukh.
- Nearby spots: Harsil Valley, Mukhba village (winter seat of the deity), Bhairon Ghati, Pandava Gufa and Gangotri National Park viewpoints are all key additions to a Gangotri itinerary.
Cuisine of Gangotri
Cuisine in Gangotri is simple, largely vegetarian and tailored to yatra needs. Small dhabas and ashrams serve hot chai, parathas, khichdi, rajma‑chawal, dal, rotis and basic North‑Indian thalis suitable for pilgrims observing religious dietary rules. During the main season, you also find sweets, prasad items and occasional local Garhwali dishes like aloo ke gutke and simple seasonal saag, offering warmth and energy in the cold mountain climate.
