High in the Garhwal Himalayas at 3,048 metres, on the banks of the sacred Bhagirathi River, stands the Gangotri Temple — the second of the four Char Dhams and the source of one of Hinduism's most sacred rivers, the Ganga. Here, pilgrims worship Goddess Ganga in her divine form before trekking a further 19 km to Gaumukh glacier, the actual source of the Bhagirathi/Ganga. The Gangotri valley — steep, dramatic, boulder-filled, with the roaring river and silver glaciers visible from the temple — is one of the most elemental and visually overwhelming pilgrimage settings in India.
🛕 About Gangotri Temple
The current Gangotri Temple was built in the 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa, a Gorkha commander. The white granite temple faces north — an unusual orientation — towards the source of the Ganga. The presiding deity is Goddess Ganga in her full form. Nearby is the sacred rock (Bhagirath Shila) where King Bhagiratha is said to have performed penance for thousands of years to bring the Ganga to earth.
The entire Gangotri National Park surrounding the temple is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site and one of India's most important biodiversity zones, home to snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep and Himalayan brown bears.
⚪ Darshan & Puja Timings
| Puja / Aarti | Timing |
|---|---|
| Mangala Aarti | 5:00 AM – 6:00 AM |
| Abhishek & Shringar | 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| General Darshan | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Afternoon Darshan | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Sandhya Aarti | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Shayan Aarti (Closing) | 9:00 PM |
🚗 How to Reach Gangotri
| From | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 248 km | Via Tehri, Uttarkashi — 7–8 hours by road |
| Haridwar | 271 km | Via Rishikesh, Uttarkashi — 8–9 hours |
| Delhi | 480 km | Overnight drive possible — depart by 10 PM |
| Dehradun | 226 km | Via Mussoorie and Uttarkashi — 6–7 hours |
| Uttarkashi | 100 km | Nearest major town — 2.5–3 hours |
🧊 Gaumukh Glacier Trek
Most pilgrims who complete Gangotri darshan also trek to Gaumukh glacier (19 km from Gangotri, 4,255 m), the actual snout of the glacier from which the Bhagirathi river emerges. This is a full-day or overnight trek requiring a trekking permit from the Forest Department office in Gangotri.
- Distance: 19 km one way from Gangotri (via Chirbasa and Bhojbasa)
- Altitude gain: ~1,200 m — strenuous but achievable for fit trekkers
- Permit: Required from Forest Dept at Gangotri — ₹150 per person (Indians), ₹600 (foreigners)
- Overnight camping at Bhojbasa (3,775 m) recommended for the full experience
- Acclimatise at Gangotri (1 night) before attempting Gaumukh
- Guides recommended — book at Gangotri or via your tour operator
🌤 Best Time to Visit Gangotri
- May (Opening): Fresh valley, spring flowers, snow visible everywhere. Energetic opening-day atmosphere. Crowd is manageable.
- September–October (Best): Post-monsoon clarity, brilliant blue skies, Gangotri glacier highly visible. Best photography and trekking conditions.
- June–August: Monsoon — temple is open but Gaumukh trek can be risky due to landslides and flooding. Gangotri itself is generally fine.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔗 All Major Temple Opening & Closing Dates 2026
Planning a broader pilgrimage? Here are complete dedicated guides for every major Uttarakhand temple — with full 2026 kapat dates, trek routes, puja timings and travel tips:
