Char Dham · Second Dham
Gangotri Dham — the complete guide
The source-shrine of the goddess Ganga on the Bhagirathi river, and the second stop of the Char Dham Yatra. History, 2026 dates, the darshan and ancestral rituals, the Gaumukh trek, and how to plan it from Rishikesh.
- Elevation
- 3,100 m
- Deity
- Goddess Ganga
- Access
- Motorable to temple
- From Rishikesh
- ≈285 km
Opening & closing dates
Follows the traditional tithis; the temple committee announces exact days on Basant Panchami / Maha Shivratri. We confirm before you book.
20 April 2026
Monday · Akshaya Tritiya
The Ganga idol is brought from Mukhba village and the portal opens with the first aarti of the season.
9 November 2026
Monday · Annakut / Govardhan Puja
The idol returns in procession to Mukhba (Mukhimath) near Harsil, the goddess's winter seat, where darshan continues.
Gangotri facts
- Elevation
- 3,100 m (10,200 ft)
- Presiding deity
- Goddess Ganga (Bhagirathi)
- Location
- Uttarkashi district, Garhwal Himalaya
- River
- Bhagirathi — called Ganga from Devprayag
- Temple
- ≈18th c. — Amar Singh Thapa; rebuilt by Jaipur royals
- True source
- Gaumukh glacier — ≈18–19 km trek (permit)
- Winter seat
- Mukhba village, near Harsil
- Open season
- Akshaya Tritiya to Diwali (Apr–Nov)
The shrine on the Bhagirathi
Gangotri's place in the Char Dham is traced, like the others, to Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. For centuries pilgrims worshipped Ganga at an open rock by the river rather than in a built temple.
The present white-granite temple, about 20 feet high, was built in the early 18th century by the Gorkha commander Amar Singh Thapa. It was later repaired and expanded by the royal house of Jaipur.
The temple stands at 3,100 m on the right bank of the Bhagirathi, the river's name until it meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag and becomes the Ganga. The idol of the goddess is worshipped here only in the open months; in winter she is taken down to Mukhba village.
The glacier that actually feeds the river, Gaumukh ("cow's mouth") at the snout of the Gangotri Glacier, lies about 18–19 km upstream in the Gangotri National Park and needs a forest permit to visit.
King Bhagirath and the descent of Ganga
The 60,000 sons of King Sagara
The sons of King Sagara were burnt to ashes by the sage Kapila's wrath. Their souls could only be freed if the heavenly Ganga washed over their remains — but no one could bring her down to earth.
Bhagirath's penance
Sagara's descendant Bhagirath meditated for years at this spot — the rock still shown as Bhagirathi Shila — until Ganga agreed to descend. His name is why the river here is the Bhagirathi.
Shiva breaks the fall
Ganga's torrent would have shattered the earth, so Shiva caught her in his matted hair and released her gently. The submerged Shivling in the river near the temple marks where this happened.
A place for the ancestors
Because Ganga descended to liberate ancestors, Gangotri is a major site for pind daan and shraddh — rites performed on the riverbank for departed family.
Around the temple
Bhagirathi Shila
The rock where King Bhagirath is believed to have done penance to bring Ganga to earth, venerated just beside the temple.
Submerged Shivling (Jalmagna)
A natural rock lingam in the Bhagirathi where Shiva received Ganga's fall. It surfaces in early winter when the water level drops.
Surya Kund & Gauri Kund
Waterfalls and pools downstream of the temple, tied to the goddess and used for a ritual dip.
Pandava Gufa
A cave a short walk from Gangotri where the Pandavas are said to have meditated on their way to the Himalayas.
Kedar Ganga Sangam
The confluence where the Kedar Ganga stream joins the Bhagirathi, just above the temple.
Gaumukh
The glacier source of the Ganga, ≈18–19 km up the valley — a 1–2 day trek from Gangotri with a forest permit.
The darshan process, step by step
- 1
Drive to Gangotri town
The road runs right to the temple town — no trek to reach the shrine.
- 2
Cross the Bhagirathi bridge
A short walk over the river to the temple courtyard.
- 3
Bathe / sip Ganga jal
A dip or sprinkle from the icy Bhagirathi before darshan.
- 4
Darshan of Ganga
The silver idol of the goddess in the sanctum; morning and evening aarti.
- 5
Pind daan at the ghat
Optional rites for ancestors on the riverbank, arranged with a temple priest.
- 6
Carry Ganga jal home
Pilgrims fill sealed containers to take back for pujas and rituals.
Aarti & timings
- Mangala aarti opens the temple around 6:15 AM, followed by abhishek and bhog.
- The temple generally stays open through the day, with a short midday break.
- The evening Ganga aarti on the ghat is the highlight — around 6:45–7:30 PM.
- Timings shift with daylight and the season; allow a relaxed half-day at the temple.
Offerings & rituals
- Pind daan and shraddh for departed family, done on the Bhagirathi ghat.
- Filling and sealing Ganga jal to carry home for future pujas.
- Rudri path and Ganga Sahasranama recitations, booked through temple priests.
- A ritual dip or sankalp in the river despite the very cold water.
How to reach Gangotri from Rishikesh
By road — the usual drive
- 1
Rishikesh
Early start via Narendranagar and Chamba.
- 2
Uttarkashi
≈150 km · the standard overnight halt on the Bhagirathi.
- 3
Harsil
≈75 km further — apple orchards and army town, a scenic stop.
- 4
Gangotri temple
≈25 km on, road runs to the temple town.
By air
Dehradun (Jolly Grant) airport is ≈250 km from Gangotri. There is no regular helicopter service to Gangotri itself.
By rail
Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun are the nearest railheads; the drive up the Bhagirathi valley begins from there.
By road
≈285–300 km / 10–12 hrs from Rishikesh via Uttarkashi and Harsil — usually split over two days. We drive you by car or Tempo Traveller with an Uttarkashi or Harsil halt.
Char Dham Yatra registration
Uttarakhand requires every pilgrim to register for the Char Dham Yatra before travelling. Registration is free, and the slip is checked at barriers on the Gangotri route, so keep it and a photo ID on hand.
- Register online at the portal above, or on the “Tourist Care Uttarakhand” mobile app.
- Offline counters operate in Haridwar, Rishikesh and at points along each shrine route.
- Register each traveller with name, ID, dates and the shrines you plan to visit; you receive a QR registration slip.
- A health check / advisory may apply for travel at altitude — carry prescriptions and any medication your doctor recommends.
We complete the registration for every traveller on trips booked with us.
Season, stays & what to pack
When to go
- May – June — Peak season
Pleasant days, portal freshly open and the busiest crowds. Book Uttarkashi and Harsil stays early. - July – August — Monsoon — avoid
Rain and landslide risk on the Gangotri road, especially near Gangnani and Sunday Gad. Keep buffer days. - September – October — Best for a calm trip
Clear post-monsoon skies, thinner crowds and the submerged Shivling starting to show. Cold nights.
Where to stay
- Uttarkashi — the main halt, ≈100 km short, with hotels, ashrams and GMVN lodges.
- Harsil — a scenic army-and-orchard town ≈25 km before Gangotri; limited but memorable stays.
- Gangotri town — dharamshalas, GMVN tourist rest house and basic hotels right by the temple.
What to pack
- Warm layers and a heavy jacket — nights near the temple stay close to freezing
- A raincoat or poncho and quick-dry clothes for spray near the river and falls
- Sturdy shoes; extra grip if you plan the Gaumukh trek
- Original photo ID for Char Dham registration checks
- Sealed containers if you want to carry Ganga jal home
- Cash — ATMs are unreliable beyond Uttarkashi
Gangotri FAQs
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