Overview
Gangotri is one of the four holiest shrines in Hinduism — the Char Dham — and the sacred origin of the Bhagirathi river, which joins the Alaknanda at Devprayag to form the Ganga (Ganges). The temple, dedicated to Goddess Ganga (Gangotri Devi), sits at 3,048 m (10,000 ft) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, on the left bank of the Bhagirathi. The actual glacial source of the river — Gaumukh — is 18 km further up the valley at 3,892 m, accessible by a well-marked trek.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 3,048 m (10,000 ft) |
| GPS | 30.9945°N, 78.9396°E |
| Deity | Goddess Ganga (Gangotri Devi / Bhagirathi) |
| District | Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand |
| River | Bhagirathi (becomes Ganga at Devprayag) |
| Open 2026 | ~26 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya) |
| Close 2026 | ~8 November 2026 (Diwali) |
| Darshan timings | 6:15 AM–2:00 PM and 3:00 PM–9:30 PM |
| Access | Motor road all the way — no trek required |
| Distance from Haridwar | 265 km (6–7 hrs) |
| Distance from Rishikesh | 249 km (6–7 hrs) |
| Gaumukh (Ganga source) | 18 km trek from Gangotri, 3,892 m |
Planning
Gangotri in the Char Dham circuit:
Gangotri is the second stop in the traditional Char Dham Yatra sequence: Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath. Both Yamunotri and Gangotri open on the same day (Akshaya Tritiya) and close on the same day (Diwali), so pilgrims doing the Char Dham circuit typically cover both in the first 3–4 days from Haridwar (both are in Uttarkashi district — relatively close to each other).
The Bhagirathi and the Ganga legend:
The Ganga is said to have descended from heaven to earth through the matted locks of Lord Shiva at Gangotri. The story: King Bhagirath performed intense tapasya (penance) to bring the Ganga from heaven to earth — to purify the ashes of his 60,000 ancestors (the Sagar sons) so they could attain moksha. The Ganga descended and the river is named Bhagirathi after him. At Gangotri, the Bhagirathi flows swift and icy cold from the glacier above. The confluence with the Alaknanda at Devprayag (50 km before Rishikesh) is where the river officially becomes the "Ganga." The Gangotri glacier (30 km long) is the third largest in the Himalaya and the primary source of the Bhagirathi.
The Gangotri temple:
The present Gangotri temple was built in the early 18th century by a Gorkha commander, Amar Singh Thapa, and later renovated by the Maharaja of Jaipur. The white marble temple with its shikhara (tower) stands at the water's edge on a natural rock terrace above the roaring Bhagirathi. The main deity is Goddess Ganga in her Bhagirathi form — depicted as a young woman. The temple also enshrines the sacred Bhagirath Shila (rock) where King Bhagirath performed his penance. The Akhand Jyoti (eternal flame) burns continuously inside the temple.
Travel Tips
- No ATM at Gangotri: The last reliable ATM is at Uttarkashi (100 km before Gangotri). Withdraw sufficient cash (₹4,000–₹6,000 per person) at Uttarkashi or earlier at Rishikesh/Haridwar.
- September is the best month: Clear skies after monsoon, best views of the Bhagirathi gorge and snow peaks, 20–25% cheaper than May, short darshan queues. May is beautiful (fresh snow) but crowded. Avoid July–August (heavy monsoon, road closures).
- Harsil valley (24 km before Gangotri) is worth a night: One of Uttarakhand's most scenic valleys — apple orchards, silver birch forests, the Bhagirathi river in full flow and views of the Gangotri massif. GMVN has a good rest house. Many pilgrims use Harsil as a base and day-trip to Gangotri.
- 100% vegetarian zone: Gangotri town (like Badrinath) is entirely vegetarian. No meat, fish or eggs. Alcohol also prohibited. Simple, pure north Indian vegetarian food available at dhabas and hotel restaurants.
Accommodation
- Gangotri town: GMVN Tourist Rest House Gangotri (₹1,000–₹2,500), private guesthouses (₹600–₹2,000). Limited options — book in advance for May–June. About 20–30 guesthouses in the town.
- Harsil (24 km before Gangotri): GMVN Harsil (₹1,200–₹3,000), private cottages (₹1,500–₹4,000). More comfortable base with better facilities. Use Harsil for acclimatisation before going up to Gangotri.
- Uttarkashi (100 km before): Wide range of hotels (₹700–₹4,000). Best ATM access, best connectivity. Good base for those who want to day-trip to Gangotri. See hotels guide.
FAQs
- When does Gangotri temple open in 2026?
- ~26 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya) — same day as Yamunotri. Closes ~8 November 2026 (Diwali). Exact dates announced by the temple committee 4–6 weeks before season. After closing, Gangotri Devi's idol goes to Mukhba village (Harsil) for the winter.
- How to reach Gangotri from Haridwar?
- 265 km, 6–7 hrs. Route: Haridwar → Rishikesh → Chamba → Tehri → Dharasu → Uttarkashi → Gangnani → Harsil → Gangotri. Bus: Haridwar→Uttarkashi (₹250–₹400) then shared taxi to Gangotri (₹300–₹500/seat). Private taxi: ₹4,500–₹7,000. No trekking — motor road all the way.
- What is the altitude of Gangotri?
- 3,048 m (10,000 ft) — on the Bhagirathi bank in Uttarkashi district. Gaumukh (actual glacial source) is 18 km trek further at 3,892 m. Motor road ends at Gangotri town. No altitude acclimatisation stop needed for Gangotri (unlike Kedarnath at 3,583 m), but rest on arrival if coming from the plains.