Gangotri, a land of religious significance and among the
Four Pilgrimage Sites (Chota Char Dham circuit ) of Hindus, is situated in the Garhwal
hills of the Uttarkashi district in the Uttarakhand state of India. Lying on
the Greater Himalayan Range at 3048 m and close to Indo-Tibetan border, it
holds the origin of the holy river Ganga and the abode of Goddess Ganga (The
Daughter of the Heaven).
Gangotri Temple |
Ganga, is known as Bhagirathi at its origin and from
Devprayag, the junction where it meets the Alaknanda River, it is called Ganga.
The source of Ganga is at Gaumukh in the Gangotri Glacier, which is
approachable via trekking a distance of 19 km from Gangotri.
Gangotri is famous for the shrine of the goddess Ganga built
in 18th century of white granite by the Gorkha General, Amar Singh Thapa.
However, the temple can only be visited from May to Diwali, as in the snowy
winter, it is closed and the idol is taken to nearby Mukhba village, near
Harsil. At night, one should not miss the Aarti ceremony at the banks which is
an offering of huge Diyas whose light spread in the environment is truly an
experience of internal serene and joy amidst the bountiful crowd.
Legend
King Sagar slew many demons who had seized the earth for
their evil means. After such a great victory, he wished to perform Ashwamegh
Yagya to declare his primacy. In this, a horse was supposed to take a nonstop
journey around the earth escorted by 60,000 sons of Queen Sumati and a son of
the second Queen Kesani. Due to such power of King Sagar, Lord Indra, the matchless
ruler of the heaven, was afraid that he might have to lose his celestial throne
if the Yagya (revere with fire) would become successful. Therefore, he attached
the horse to the ashram (Resting place) of Sage Kapil, who was profoundly
contemplating.
The sons in search of the horse found it in the ashram.
Enraged, the 60,000 sons attacked the meditating sage’s ashram and the sage, in
return, had cursed them to perish. To bring the lives back, Bhagirath, the
grandson of King Sagar, underwent tough penance until centuries. Pleased by
this, Lord Shiva asked Goddess Ganga to go down to Earth as a river to release
the King Bhagirath’s ancestors from their sins. This is the reason as to why
Ganga is also named Bhagirathi.
However, due to the truth that the Earth would be destroyed
due to the full force of Ganga, Lord Shiva locked her in his curls to minimize
the force. It was decided that Goddess Uma or Parvati, Shiva’s divine wife,
would bathe in the river everyday upon which condition Ganga would flow on the Earth.
Near the shrine, there exists a sacred stone that signifies the place where
Ganga, the rivulet of life, touched the ground for the first time and where
King Bhagirath revered Lord Shiva.
Tourists’ Attractions
Submerged Shivling
This is an amazing natural rock Shivling that is immersed in
the river emphasizing the celestial supremacy. A popular legend is that Lord
Shiva obtained the Ganga in his twisted locks at this place of the Shivling.
This phallic form of Lord Shiva can only be seen in the early winters as the
water level is low.
Nandanvan Tapovan
Tapovan [source] |
Nandanvan can be reached through a tough trek along the
Gangotri Glacier. From this scenic spot, the bottom camp for the Bhagirathi
crests, you can have a panoramic view of the adjacent Shivling summit. The
sylvan Tapovan is reachable by trekking across the snout of the glacier and is
worth visiting due to stunning meadows enclosing the foot of the Shivling
summit. You can reach Badrinath from here by trekking to Vasuki Tal,
Kalindikhal at an altitude of 5590.
Bhavishya Badri
Bhavishya Badri [source] |
Literally meaning, future Badrinath, it is named so because
it is believed that a day in future will make the present route to Badrinath
unreachable and Lord Badrinath will be then revered here. The sacred place is
enclosed by thick forests near Tapovan and is situated at a distance of 17 km
from Joshimath. It is accessible by trekking beyond Tapovan and ascending to
the Dhauliganga River. This sacred place enshrines the idol of Narsimha who is
the Hindu deity with lion-headed human body.
Uttarkashi (99 km)
Uttarkashi Town |
This is a pilgrimage centre on 1,150 m height on the
Bhagirathi banks. Major temples, which are a must to see, are the Vishwanath
temple, Gyaneshwar temple, Ekadash Rudra temple, and Kuteti Devi Temple. Other
attraction is the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. A famous event here is the
annual ‘Magh Mela’ wherein pilgrims along with their village deity visit
Uttarkashi for a sacred bath in Bhagirathi.
Kedar Tal (18 km)
Kedar Tal [source] |
This is a stunning lake at a height of 4425 m and is famous
for the scenic view of mighty Thalaiyasagar peak. You can reach here with a
help of the guide through trekking.
Gaumukh (18 km)
Gangotri Peak with the Gaumukh Glacier [source] |
Meaning cow’s mouth, this is the sacred spot holding the
source of the Bhagirathi River and snout of the Gangotri Glacier. As per the
tradition, pilgrims reach this place, which is at the height of 4200 m, on foot
or on ponies to take a holy dip in the ice-cold water.
Dayara Bugyal (93 km)
Dayara Bugyal [source] |
This is a stunning meadow at a height of 3,048 m and
accessible through a motorable road. It is famous for the Sheshnag Temple on
the way and ski slopes in winters. You can also trek down to Dodi Tal at 30 km
from here, which is a beautiful lake.
Nachiketa Tal (131
km)
Nachiketa Tal |
This is a lake with attractive surroundings that can be
reached via the peaceful trek through bountiful green forests.
Tehri (173 km)
Tehri Dam |
This is the site of hydel project and is at the junction of
Bhagirathi and Bhilangna rivers.
Narendra Nagar (239
km)
Narendra Nagar Palace |
This is famous for its scenic view of the Ganga valley of
Rishikesh and the Haridwar’s plains.
Cheedvasa and
Bhojvasa
Bhojvasa |
Cheedvasa is at a distance of 28 km from Gangotri famous for
local artifacts; whereas, Bhojvasa is a preferred camping site at 22 km.
Harsil (25 km)
Harsil Valley |
This is a famous village holding many resorts at a height of
2620 m. Other attraction is the Wilson Cottage erected in 1864.
Sat Tal (20 km)
Dharali Village |
Literally meaning seven lakes, it is worth visiting that is
situated close to the Dharali village.
Best Visiting Time
April to November
Reaching Gangotri
By air, the nearest airport is Jolly Grant at Dehradun,
which is 226 km away. By rail, the nearest station is Rishikesh, which is 249
km away. By road, the holy town is connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun,
and Delhi. Gangotri can be reached just in 24 hours from Rishikesh, Haridwar,
or Dehradun. From Yamunotri – a site in Four Pilgrimage Sites circuit, it takes
two days.
Amazing....
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