On your visit to Gangotri you will be
faced with an astounding amount of natural beauty which remains unmatched to
anywhere else. With thick deep green forest covering and wide open blue skies
and the gushing Bhagirathi River cutting through the valley, Gangotri is truly
an impeccable work of natural art. You would want to just takes a moment, look
around and get immersed in the stunning and picturesque beauty that surrounds
you.
Here are a few places where you should
definitely pay a visit during your Gangotri Yatra if you want to have a
complete spiritual experience:
Jalmagna
Shivling
Also known popularly as Kalp Kedar this
temple is truly a unique structure dedicated to lord Shiva and situated at a
distance of just 20 minutes within the holy pilgrimage town of Dharali, it is
known for its ‘submerged’ Shivling. Believed to date back to the era of Mahabharata,
the Shivling situated inside is not entirely visible which only adds on to its
mysterious vibe. Although rich with history this temple receives a very limited
amount of visitors but you should definitely pay it a visit if you are looking
for some peaceful spiritualism. All the other temples in its vicinity is
believed to be buried ages ago and due to this one the top part of the temple
is accessible. The ancient relevance of the temple is still prominent here.
Surya Kund
Situated at a mere distance of just 500
metres from the main temple of Surya Kund, this place is one of the prime
tourist spots for pilgrims and devotees making their way to Gangotri. This is a
waterfall of sparkling clear blue water from river Bhagirathi and the rock
formations that are formed looks like a true work of art. These glistening
rocks are a true testament to the real power and force of these waters that has
been making its way through the ages. This is a great place for photography
enthusiasts and nature lovers. The fast flowing river along the artsy stone
structures have a hypnotic effect on the visitors there who tend to just stand
there and gaze at this water.
Gaumukh
Rightfully named after the snout of a
cow (believed to be extremely holy) and increasingly becoming a hub for
adventure seekers and avid trekkers, this glacier is the source of the holy
river of Ganga. This place offers a surreal landscape replete with loose
glacial stones and rough trails, making your way up to the source of river
Ganga is not an easy task since it requires covering a difficult and
challenging trekking journey, but in the end, when you are standing there
gazing at the birth place of the holiest river of India which is worshipped by
millions, that moment is worth every sweat and hard work. On your way you will
be encountering a typical high altitude eco system of tall coniferous trees,
lush green meadows and colorful flowers. Truly a treat!
Harsil
Surrounded by impeccably quaint and
peaceful natural beauty is a town whose elegant beauty still remains unmatched
to anywhere else, is the town of Harsil which is situated at a distance of just
25 minutes from Gangotri. One of the most striking feature about this place is
the presence of a small mini beach – like structure which is located right in
the middle of the clean blue river where you can relax under the sun or even
take a dip in the holy water. The entire region is dotted with glistening and
richly red apple orchards with the ever present and looming snow bound mountain
peaks that give a panoramic view of the mighty Himalayas. A must visit for
every nature lover at least once in their lifetime.
Gangotri National Park
Considered being one of the largest high
altitude national parks in India and consisting of an extremely diverse
collection of flora and fauna, Gangotri national park is every traveller,
animal enthusiast and nature lover’s dream come true. The entire park is
covered entirely in a deep green forest covering along with the towering snow
clad Himalayan peaks every step of the way inside the park is truly a
magnificent sight. This is located in close vicinity to the main temple of
Gangotri and should be visited for its stunning beauty where the clouds meet
the grounds and the Bhagirathi River that dances her way through the park while
simultaneously creating a sustainable high altitude ecosystem.
Tapovan
Named rightfully the meadow of
meditation (Tapo) since all the ancient sadhus and saints used to make their
way to this incredibly lush meadow to perform penance and do some deep
meditation. Due to its location right before Gaumukh glacier, Tapovan is
visited primarily by trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. Tapovan is dotted with
a number of forests and radiates a deeply peaceful vibe of simple elegance and
the solemn spirituality. Sitting on the foot of the peaks of Shivling range,
Tapovan also serves as the perfect starting point for the expedition to its
nearby peaks. However you don’t have to be an avid adventurer to appreciate the
simply incredible and undeniably beautiful views of the surroundings.
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