What are Gangotri temple timings?

Gangotri temple timings 2026: Morning session 6:15 AM – 2:00 PM. Afternoon session 3:00 PM – 9:30 PM. Closed 2:00–3:00 PM (afternoon break). Total daily darshan: approximately 14 hours. The temple opens with Pratah (morning) aarti at 6:15 AM. Evening Sayan Aarti is at 9:00 PM before closure. Free entry — no ticket required for general darshan. Arrive before 8:00 AM in May–June to avoid queues. In September–October, queues are short (15–20 minutes maximum).

Who built the Gangotri temple?

The Gangotri temple was originally built in the early 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa, a Gorkha general. The site had been a place of worship for centuries before the formal temple structure — saints and sages meditated at the Bhagirathi bank. The temple was later renovated with white marble support from the Maharaja of Jaipur. The current white marble temple with its shikhara (tower) is the result of multiple renovations over the past 300 years. The Gangotri temple trust (Shri Gangotri Mandir Samiti) manages the temple today. The Rawal (head priest) is typically a Semwal Brahmin from the Uttarkashi region.

What is Bhagirath Shila at Gangotri?

Bhagirath Shila is a large natural rock near the Gangotri temple, on the bank of the Bhagirathi river, where King Bhagirath is said to have performed his intense tapasya (penance) to bring the Ganga from heaven to earth. The rock is considered sacred — pilgrims circumambulate it and offer prayers. It sits directly in the river channel and is submerged during monsoon when the Bhagirathi is in spate. During the pilgrimage season (May–October), the rock is visible and accessible. Touching the Bhagirath Shila and collecting Bhagirathi water from the river bank are the two most important rituals at Gangotri beyond the temple darshan itself.

Gangotri Temple 2026 | Darshan Timings, Puja & Guide

Overview

The Gangotri temple is a white marble shrine on the left bank of the Bhagirathi river at 3,048 m, dedicated to Goddess Ganga in her Bhagirathi form. Built in the early 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa (later renovated with Jaipur Maharaja support), the temple is the most sacred Ganga shrine in Hinduism — the place where the river is worshipped at her origin before flowing down to the plains. The temple is open from Akshaya Tritiya (~26 April 2026) to Diwali (~8 November 2026).

Ritual / Session	Time	Access
Pratah (Morning) Aarti	6:15 AM	Open to all
Morning darshan	6:15 AM – 2:00 PM	Free, open to all
Afternoon break (deity rest)	2:00 – 3:00 PM	Closed
Afternoon darshan	3:00 PM – 9:30 PM	Free, open to all
Sayan (Evening) Aarti	9:00 PM	Open to all
Temple closes	~9:30 PM	—

Planning

Inside the Gangotri temple:
The temple has a small mandapa (prayer hall) leading to the garbhagriha (inner sanctum) where the deity of Gangotri Devi is enshrined. The idol is a small but beautifully adorned image of the Goddess. The Akhand Jyoti (eternal flame) burns continuously beside the main deity — it is lit at the beginning of the season and burns without interruption until the temple closes in November. The flame represents the divine light of the Goddess and is among the most revered objects at Gangotri. Pilgrims bring ghee to offer to the flame.

Bhagirath Shila — the rock of penance:
Just outside the temple, on the Bhagirathi bank, is the Bhagirath Shila — a natural flat-topped rock where King Bhagirath performed his penance to bring the Ganga to earth. Circumambulating the shila and collecting sacred Bhagirathi water (Ganga jal) directly from the river here — at its cleanest and most pure, straight from the glacier above — is considered among the most meritorious acts at Gangotri. The water at Gangotri is notably clear, cold (5–8°C) and slightly mineral-tasting.

Surya Kund:
A small natural pool near the temple fed by the Bhagirathi, where pilgrims perform ritual bathing before entering the temple. Unlike Tapt Kund at Badrinath (45°C), Surya Kund water is river temperature (ice-cold). Symbolic bathing (sprinkling water on head and body) is the usual practice — a full bath in the freezing glacial river is for the hardy only.

Travel Tips

Arrive before 7:30 AM for shortest queue: The temple opens at 6:15 AM. First-darshan pilgrims (6:15–8:00 AM) typically have no queue. After 9:00 AM in peak May–June, wait times can reach 45–90 minutes. In September, even 9–11 AM queues are short.
Collect Ganga jal at the Bhagirathi bank: Bring a clean vessel (plastic bottle or copper kalash) to collect sacred Bhagirathi water directly from the river at Gangotri — the purest and most auspicious Ganga jal available, taken right at the source. This water is carried home by pilgrims and used for pujas throughout the year.
Dress code: Clean, modest clothing. Remove footwear at the temple gate (shoe racks provided). Women should cover their heads inside the temple courtyard. No leather items inside the garbhagriha. Photography inside the inner sanctum is not permitted.
Evening Sayan Aarti (9:00 PM) is the most beautiful: The Gangotri Sayan Aarti — with the sound of the rushing Bhagirathi below, the Himalayan peaks dark against the sky, and the fragrant camphor lamps — is one of the most atmospheric Aarti ceremonies in the Char Dham circuit. Plan to attend if you are staying overnight in Gangotri.

Accommodation

Stay overnight in Gangotri for the evening Sayan Aarti: To attend the 9:00 PM Sayan Aarti, you need to stay overnight — it is not feasible to be at Gangotri at 9:00 PM and then drive back down mountain roads safely. GMVN Tourist Rest House is the closest and most reliable option. See hotels guide.
Day trip from Harsil or Uttarkashi: If doing a day trip, aim to arrive at Gangotri by 7:00 AM (to avoid queues) and depart by 2:00 PM (before afternoon closure). Harsil (24 km) is a better day-trip base than Uttarkashi (100 km).

FAQs

What are Gangotri temple timings?: Morning: 6:15 AM–2:00 PM. Afternoon: 3:00 PM–9:30 PM. Closed 2:00–3:00 PM. Free entry. Sayan Aarti: 9:00 PM. Shortest queues: 6:15–8:00 AM or 3:00–5:00 PM. Peak season (May–June) queues: 45–90 min. September queues: 15–20 min.
Who built the Gangotri temple?: Built in the early 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa (Gorkha general). Renovated with white marble support from the Maharaja of Jaipur. Managed today by Shri Gangotri Mandir Samiti. Head priest (Rawal) is a Semwal Brahmin from Uttarkashi region.
What is Bhagirath Shila at Gangotri?: Sacred rock on the Bhagirathi bank where King Bhagirath performed penance to bring the Ganga to earth. Pilgrims circumambulate it and collect sacred Bhagirathi jal here. Submerged during peak monsoon (August). One of the most important ritual acts at Gangotri after temple darshan.

Gangotri Temple — Darshan Guide 2026