One of the pristine destinations in the Chota Char Dham circuit, the Gangotri Dham is situated in Uttarkashi and stands at an altitude of 10,200 feet in the Greater Himalayan Range. According to legend, the most sacred river of India, the River Ganges, originating from the Gangotri Glacier, was released here from the locks of Lord Shiva. The precise origin point of the River is called Gaumukh which is a 19 km trek from this pilgrim site. The River is called Bhagirathi and only gets the name Ganga only after it gushes beyond a place called Devprayag and meets with the Alaknanda River.
The Temple of Ganga built by King Amar Singh Thapa is an illustrious piece of Indian architecture and the center of attraction among the tourists. Most of the people look forward to the main event of the day, which is the grand Aarti ceremony done by the High Priest of the temple and devotees are also seen collecting the holy water of Bhagirathi (Ganga) in lightweight cans to bring it home with them. There are also other places of religious prominence around the Gangotri shrine such as the Pandava Gufa which is only 1.5 km away from the temple, and the Bhagirath Shila which is the holy rock where King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva.
Pilgrims usually visit Gangotri after the trip to the other three Dhams where the snow-covered mountain peaks and the clear waters of this pious river chasten your soul and body completely. The shrine is accessible by a 248 km road trip from Rishikesh or you can also board a train from the nearest railway station. There are several Ashrams in Gangotri, some of which visitors are also allowed to stay or quite a few hotels are also available nearby. You can also delve into some thrilling activities such as mountain climbing and trekking along the hilly routes.
Gangotri in Summer Season (March to June)
The exact date of April to open the Gangotri Temple is decided by the priests in January each year and it opens with a grand festival. The weather in Summer is pleasantly cool with the average temperature range around 18 degrees to 28 degrees Celsius and cool breeze passing through the luscious and blooming green of the vales around. It is considered the best time to visit Gangotri Dham when the roads are clear and you can enjoy the warmth of the sun in the crystal blue skies. The site experiences a massive influx of tourists from all over the world for Darshan during this period. The number reduces down when monsoon season arrives and the weather starts deteriorating.
Gangotri in Monsoon Season (July to September)
The months of July and August observe heavy rainfall and a temperature drop of almost 10 to 15 degrees. The roads become extremely slippery and unsafe to drive on, furthermore, the fog and clouded skies affect the visibility drastically and thus add to the risk. As in proximity to a river, Gangotri Dham is declared a flood-susceptible area and also there are frequent landslides during the monsoons. Hence this stretch of the year is not at all optimal for the trip and people generally abstain from traveling in such weather. The obstructions are curtailed as soon as the rains dwindle and the weather reforms, therefore resuming the pilgrimage.
Gangotri in Winter Season (October to February)
As the monsoon subsides and the winters start setting in, the time from September to October gives a second window for tourists to pay their homage to Goddess Ganga. The weather is cold and dry but bearable with the temperature around 10 degrees Celsius. The cold escalates and the snow begins pouring in, enveloping the mountains and valleys. The lowest temperature records at 1 degree Celsius and gradually snow blocks down all the markets and roads around. After the Diwali celebrations, the temple gates are closed down and the Goddess idol is transferred to its winter home in Mukhba village by a palanquin. Gangotri Dham shuts down and the pilgrimage is annulled to be commenced again on the advent of summer next year. The number of people that travels to this sacred shrine is expanding with every coming year due to the exceeding facilities and opportunities.
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