Temple Travel

Chardham Yatra is one part of Indian culcture and Religion of India.There are four Abodes in Himalayas collectively referred as "Chota Char Dham of India " and popular as "Char Dham Yatra" which includes four holy shrines of Hindus: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. All of these temples are situated within the Garwhal region of Uttarakhand state in North India. These four anciet temples also marks the spiritual source of four sacred rivers as well: River Yamuna (Yamunotri), River Ganga or Ganges (Gangotri), River Mandakini (Kedarnath) and River Alaknanda (Badrinath). Yamunotri Temple , Gangotri Temple, Kedarnath Temple and Badrinath Temple collectively referred to as the Chota Char Dham of Hinduism, these four sites is an important shine for Hindus.Here is Information about Chota Char Dham Temples in Uttrakhand India.

Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri Temple is located at an altitude of 3293 metres above sea level, in the Garhwal Himalaya 40 km away from Barkot Uttarkashi district of the State of Uttarakhand. The first of the four Himalayan dhams, Yamunotri, is in the first of the the pilgrimage to the four dhams begins from here.Yamunotri Temple is the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the Goddess Yamuna. It is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas and located approximately 30 kilometers (19 mi) North of Uttarkashi.Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the Yamunotri Temple in the 19th century. The Yamunotri Temple opens on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. The Yamunotri Temple is dedicated to the river Yamuna also known as Yamuna Devi.

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Gangotri Temple

Gangotri atemple, the origin of the River Ganges and seat of the goddess Ganga, situated in Uttarkashi.The original temple was constructed by the Gorkha General Amar in 18th century. Gangotri temple located at an altitude of 3,200 mts on the left bank of Bhagirathi in Uttarkashi district in Indian state Uttarakhand. The Gangotri Shrine opens on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. Gangotri temple is dedicated to Goddesh Ganga.The Ganges is believed to be the sacred source of purity and sanctity and so before visiting the temple, devotees take a holy dip in this mighty river.A part of Greater Himalayas, Gangotri Temple is blessed to have River Bhagirathi flowing by its side, other than being the origin of river Ganga.

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Badrinath Temple

Badrinath Temple is located at Badrinathdham Chamoli district in the state of Uttarakhand, a height of 3133m above sea level Himalaya Mountain Garhwal Hills on the bank of Alaknanada River ,India. One of the famous shrines of the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, it is the sacred place devoted to Lord Vishnu.Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.Badrinath is a magical blend of divinity and natural beauty.The Kings of Garhwal have built the present structure of the temple. The Lord Badari Narayan carries a Shankh (Conch) in one hand and Chakra in the other. The other two arms rest on the lap in Yogamudra.The opening date of Badrinath Temple is fixed on Basant Panchami by Raj Purohit.It is being believed that the temple was established by Adi Shankaracharaya in the 9th century.

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Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state is elevated at an altitude of 3584 m above the sea level flanking around the river Mandakini. It is considered as the most pious abode of Lord Shiva and is believed that one of the 12 forms of Lord Shiva in the shape of “Jyotirlingas” was dropped at the hills of Mandar where the main temple is located. The opening of date of Kedarnath Temple is fixed and decided on the Shiva Ratri.The temple was being constructed by Adi Shankaracharya and was privileged by the name of King Kedar, the ruler of Satya Yuga.Each year the summer months see thousands heading to make this difficult pilgrimage.

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Here is Some Information about Gangotri temple among Char Dham.

Kedareshwar,Yamunotri,Gangotri,Badrinath.

Location : Gangotridham,Uttrakhand

Dedicated : Goddess Ganga

Built in : 300 years ago
Altitude : 3048 Mt's.
Climate : Summer - Cool during day and cold at night

Max: 20°C & Min: 6°C; Winter - Snow bound touching sub zero.
Best time Visit : April to October
Temple Timing: 6:15Am to 2:00 Pm, 3:00 Pm to 9:30 Pm
Clothing : Heavy wool en throughout the season.
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali and English.

More Information about Gangotri Temple

Gangotri is located at a height of 3048 meter and at a distance of 98 KM from Uttarkashi. This shrine of goddess Ganga is one of the four pilgrim place ( char Dham ) of Hindu religion. It is 228 KM from Yamunotri temple, another pilgrim place of Char Dham Yatra. Uttarakashi is the gateway to Gangotri and there is no other way to reach Gangotri by road. Here road ends and trekking rout to Gomukh starts. Goumukh is the glacier from which river Ganga starts. The temple of Gangotri remains open from May 1st week and closes at 3rd week of October. The exact date changes every year as they are based on the Hindu calendar. It opens on Akshaya tritya day which falls around Its week of May or before that. The temple closes on Diwali festival day which falls during last week of October. After closing of the temple goddess Ganga is taken to a place located at a lower height than the Gongotri as these areas get heavy snow fall during winter.

The Aarti ceremony of this temple is very impressive. After Man gal Aarti of Goddess Ganga at 6 am, the temple is closed 3 times a day that is for 10 Min's, around 9 am for rajbhog, at 6.30 pm for 10 Min's for Shringar and at 8 pm for 5 Min's again for rajbhog. A special shringar puja is performed on Ganga Saptami in April (Vaishakh), when Ganga is said to have descended to earth. The birth of Ganga is celebrated on the day of Ganga Dussehra. It is believed that on this day Lord Shiva offered Bhagirathi to Bhagirath. Special poojas are also done on the occasion of Janamshtami and Diwali.

Every year almost thousands of pilgrims visit this sacred place between May and October. After Diwali the doors of the temple are closed & it reopens in May. During winters when temple is closed due to the heavy snow fall, the idol of the Goddess Ganga is kept at Village Mukhab village near Harsil and she is brought back to Gangotri on the auspicious day of Akshaya tritiya which lies either in the last week of April or in the first week of May. This procession is done annually. The Pujaris and Brahmins who perform religious activities in this temple belongs to Mukhwa village.

Sight Seen Gangotri Dham

Gaumukh : The Gaumukh glacier is the source of Bhagirathi (Ganga) and is held in high esteem by the devotes who do not miss the opportunity to have a holy dip in the bone chilling icy water. It is 18 Kms. trek from Gangotri. The trek is easy and at times people come back to Gangotri the same day.

Submerged Shivling : Submerged in the river, this natural rock Shivling is the place where, according to mythology Lord Shiva sat when he received the Ganga in his matted lock. It is visible in winter months when water level decreases.

Kedar Ganga Sangam : Around 100 Yards from the Ganga Temple flows the river Kedar Ganga. Starting from the Kedar Valle, this river meets the Bhagirathi on its left bank.

Kedar Tal : This spectacular and enchanting lake is situated at a distance of about 18 Kms. from Gangotri, negotiable through a rough and tough mountain trail. The trek is very tiring and there are testing moments even for a hardly trekker. There is no facility of any kind on the way and one has to make all arrangements in advance. A local guide is a must. The lake is crystal clear with the mighty Thalaysagar (Sphatikl-ing) peak forming a splendid backdrop. The place is about 4000 mts. above sea-level and is the base camp for trekking to the Thalaysagar, Jogin, Bhrigupanth and other peaks.

Dayara Bugyal : Bugyal in the local language means "high altitude meadow," The road to Dayara Bugyal branches off near Bhatwari a place on Uttarkashi-Gangotri road about 28 Kms. from Uttarkashi. Vehicles can go up to the village of Barsu from where one has to trek a distance of about 8 Kms. to reach Dayara and other route is via village Raithal, 10 Kms. from Bhatwari, from where one has to trek about 7 Kms. to Dayara Bugyal. Situated at an elevation of about 3048 mts., this vast meadow is second to none in natural beauty. During winter it provides excellent ski slopes over an area of 28 sq. Kms. The panoramic view of the Himalayas from here is breathtaking. There is a small lake in the area and to camp by this side is a memorable event. From this spot one can trek down to Dodi-Tal which is about 22 Kms. away, through dense forests.

Sat-Tal : Sat-Tal, meaning seven lakes, is situated just above Dharali, 2 Kms. beyond Harsil. The trek of about 5 Kms. is rewarding as this group of lakes is situated amid beautiful natural surroundings. It also provides lovely camp sites.

Nearest Hotels and Restaurants of Gangotri Temple

Hotel Bhagirathi Sadan
Lies across the Bhagirathi River

Hotel Mandakini
Situated on Gangotri Temple road

Ganga Niketan Hotel
Near Gangotri Temple

GMVN Gangotri Tourist Rest House
Near Gangotri Temple

GMVN Travelers Lodge
Near Gangotri Temple

Blue Canvas Resort Chakrata
Mayfair Restaurant
Payal Food Court
Bushahr Regency
Hotel Himalaya
Hotel Apurva
Hotel Sunil

How To Reach Gangotri Temple

By Road : Gangotri is connected by road to Uttarkashi, Tehri Garhwal and Rishikesh and from there to other parts of the country. Bus services of Samyukt Rotation Yatayat Vyawastha Samiti connect Gangotri with many centre in the region like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Tehri, Uttarkashi etc.

By Rail : Nearest rail head is at Rishikesh, 226 Kms. away.

By Air : Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant (262 Kms.).

Picture Gallery of Gangotri Temple