Located at an altitude of 3,100mts, Gangotri Temple, the highest temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga, is one of the four Chota Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. Goddess Ganga is the personification of the revered Ganga River. The peaceful white temple is surrounded by Deodar and pines and the Greater Himalayan Range. The holy river Bhagirathi, which is one of the two head-streams of Ganga, flows alongside Gangotri Temple.
Gangotri is hence known as the origin of River Ganges. Gangotri Temple is positioned at the center of the Gangotri Dham.
Gangotri Temple was built by the Nepalese General, Amar Singh Thapa around the beginning of 18th century. The temple was later rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur.
Gangotri Temple presumably follows the Nagara style of architecture. It is simple and constructed with white marble stone. There are no intrinsic carvings as popularly seen in the Hindu temples. There are five small apexes (shikhars), 20ft in height. The main sanctorum or the Garba Griha is built on a raised platform. There is a mandap in front of the Garba Griha where the devotees do puja and prayer. The inner sanctorum has the idol of Goddess Ganga. It also contains the idols of Goddess Yamuna, Annapurna, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. The idols of Bhagirath and the sage Adi Sankara complete the set of idols present inside the inner sanctorum. There are four little temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman, and Bhagirathi.
Near the Gangotri Temple, there is a natural rock Shivling in submerged under water. You can see the shivling easily when the winters are on their way as the water level decreases during that time. According to myths and legends this was the place where Lord Shiva sat when Ganga ascended in his matted locks. Shiva divided Ganga into 7 streams and saved Earth.
Gangotrgotri Temple is the highest temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. The river Ganga originates at Gaumukh. Gaumukh is situated at the foot of Gangotri glacier. River Ganga is known as Bhagirathi here. It gets the name ‘Ganga’ at Devprayag where Bhagirathi River merges with Alaknanda River.
Gangotri Temple is built close to “Bhagirath Shila”. It is a pillar where King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva to bear the descent of River Ganga. Pilgrims collect the water from the pillar and take it to their homes ad Amrit/Nectar. Amrit is used for various religious and holy purposes.
After defeating Kauravas in the battle of Mahabharata, the Pandavas performed “Deva Yagna” at Gangotri Temple to expiate for the death of their people and relatives.
Gangotri Temple is located in Gangotri ( situted in main Gangotri hamlet near to road head and on the bank of Holy Ganga river in the midst of beautiful Himalayas.).
Direct buses from various regions of Uttarakhand like Rishikesh, Dehradun are available to Uttarkashi and Gangotri. If you are coming from Delhi then change bus at Rishikesh to Uttarkashi city from where you can find tata sumo's to Gangotri temple. Dehradun is the nearest railway station & Jollygrant airport is the closest airport to Gangotri temple.
Gangotri Temple is popular place for following activities/ interests - Devi Temples, Temples.
