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Mukhba, Photo: Sandeep Bisht

Mukhba

Mukhba - Winter Shrine of Gangotri

Mukhba (Mukhwa) is a small village in the town of Harsil, on the banks of river Bhagirathi, on the way to the pilgrimage of Gangotri. It is situated at an altitude of 2620 mts above the sea level.

Get Mukhba travel guide & travel tips 

Importance of Mukhba

This place is popular due to the fact that the idol of Goddess Ganga is brought down to Mukhba from the shrine of Gangotri in the Upper Himalayas and kept here throughout the winters as Gangotri becomes inaccessible due to heavy Snowfall. Every year on the auspicious occasion of Diwali the idol of Ganga is brought down to a temple in Mukhba with a procession of devotees and the Army band of Garhwal Rifles.

The village holds two temples of Ganga, one is new made up of concrete and marbles, but you can also visit the old temple made up entirely of Deodar and brass.

Now devotees can also visit Mukhba as a part of Winter Char Dham as the Uttarakhand government has planned to open all the Char Dhams Shrine for winters also. Mukhba can also be covered during Char Dham Yatra as well.

Activities in Mukhba

Apart from the abundant natural beauty that encompasses the Mukhba village, there are not many sightseeing and places of interest in and around Mukhba. During the winters when there is snow in the upper region, the idol of Goddess Ganga is brought down to Mukhba village from the Gangotri shrine due to heavy snow.

Pilgrimage Mukhba is the winter abode of Goddess Ganga when the idol of the deity is brought down to Mukhba as the Gangotri shrine lay covered in a sheath of snow. Tourism through winter Char Dham is encouraged by the government for pilgrims who wished to seek blessings of the deities during winters.

Trekking – The enchanting Mukhba valley offers some of the most beautiful Himalayan landscapes with snow-capped valleys, dense pine forests and breathtaking views of the snow-clad peaks of Shrikanth, Hindyani, Jaonli (6632m) and Sumeru to name a few.

Mukhba Travel Tips

  • There is an old temple dedicated to Goddess  Ganga in Mukhba made of deodar and brass. If you ask politely, the priest will open  the old temple for you.   
  • It is wise to check with local authorities,  tour guides or tour operators about the weather and road conditions during  monsoons before you actually start your journey or pilgrimage. 

Finding accommodation at Mukhba is not possible however one can find affordable budget guesthouses and hotels at Harsil or Dharali which is just 1km away from Mukhba. Staying at Harsil or Dharali one can then trek to Mukhba and its surrounding area.

There are no restaurants at Mukhba apart from a couple of tea stalls. Harsil and Dharali have quite a few roadside restaurants and dhabas which serve north Indian dishes along with popular Chinese dishes like momos,  noodles, etc. with limited choice. One can also try the local Pahadi cuisine which consists of Sisunak Saag, Gehat  Dal, Chainsoo, Kappa, and Pahadi  Raita.

Accommodations in Mukhba

You will not be able to find accommodation at Mukhba but many hotels are available at nearby Harsil and Dharali. The hotels are clean and well maintained, and even the rates are budget-friendly. For booking, hotels check here: Hotels in Harsil.

What is Mukhba famous for?

Mukhba is famous among tourist as Gangotri Winter Seat.

Mukhba is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Pilgrimage, Temples, Winter Char Dham.

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