Gangotri Temple

Was built in the early 18th century by a Gurkha commander, Amar Singh Thapa and later rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur, in the early 20th century. The 20ft high temple is made of white granite. By November, Gangotri is snowbound, and so the deity is taken 25km downstream to Mukhba, so that her devotees are not thwarted. Despite the severe cold, however, several "Sadhus" (sages or holy men) remain at Gangotri year round, even through the very severe winter. The original temple was constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa.

Every year people from all around the world visit this shrine. A number of ashrams and dharamshalas are located on the other side. It is believed that Raja Bhagirath used to worship Shiva on a slab of rock Bhagirath Shila situated near the temple. Submerged in the river there is a natural rock shivling where according to mythology Lord Shiva sat when he received the Goddess Ganga in his matted locks.

Nearby Places of Interest Gauri Kund Gaumukh Dev Ghat. City: Gangotri State: Uttaranchal Location: North India Altitude: 3.042 mts Year of Construction: 18th century Constructed By: Amar Singh Thapa, a Gorkha Commander. Type of Construction: Medieval Type of Building: Temple Religion: Hinduism Importance: According to mythology, Goddess Ganga - the daughter of heaven, manifested herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of king Bhagirath's predecessors

Accomodation: Hotels and lodges are available at Gangotri. Accesibility: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant (26 kms from Rishikesh). Nearest railhead is at Rishikesh and Gangotri is well connected to other cities by road. Nearby Cities: Rishikesh Known for pilgrimage, Uttaranchal is rightly named as the abode of Gods. Hindu temples can be found at almost every fold as you take to the mountains of Uttaranchal. Himalaya offers you excellent scenic beauty. Visiting Gangotri Temple can be an enchanting experience amidst the mountain ranges and the splendid sceneries around. One of the four sites of pilgrimage of India, Gangotri is the seat of river Ganga. It is the point from which it originates and plummets down the hills, valleys and plains stretching approximately 2500 kms across the Indian subcontinent.

Among the Greater Himalayas, Gangotri at an altitude of 3048 mts holds immense mystic charm. The town Gangotri by the banks of River Bhagirathi is a quaint town with remains gripped with an aura of the pristine atmosphere. The 18th century Gangotri Temple located near the sacred stone where King Bhagirath had worshipped Lord Shiva to atone his sons