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Gangotri - The
Eternal Gift Of Bhagirath's Penance
Be it man's urge to placate the Gods above or to quench
his desire for adventure, Gangotri is an ideal location.
Gangotri, the origin of the sacred river Ganges, attracts
tourists in large numbers every year. The confrontation with
the daunting rivers and attempts to unravel the mysteries of
the supernatural world are ubiquitous sights here.
Along with the thrill of conquering nature, what one
experiences here is the mystical aura that India is so famous
for.
Location
Couched in the magnificent Garhwal hills, Gangotri is at an
altitude of 3048 meters above sea level. It is on the
northernmost part of the state of Uttar Pradesh and is very
near the Indo-Tibetan border. It is approximately 300 km from
Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh and 105 km from Uttarkashi.
The summers are relatively cool and winters are freezing cold,
with rains in the months of May and June. For the devotees and
tourists, the gates of the temple are open only in the months
of May to November.
Mythological Legend
According to an old legend, Lord Shiva rewarded King Bhagirath
after his penance and Ganga came down to earth. However, due
to her pride, and the fact that the earth would be
devastated if Ganga came down in her full force, Lord Shiva
caught her in his locks. It was then proclaimed that Goddess
Uma or Parvati, Shiva's consort, would bathe in the Ganges
daily and only then would she descend on the earth. The sacred
stone near the temple denotes the place where Ganga first came
down to earth. This is why Ganga is also called by the name of
Bhagirathi.
Unique Pilgrimage Attraction
Submerged Shivling
The natural rock Shivling, submerged in the river, is an
amazing sight reinforcing the power of the divine. According
to mythology, Lord Shiva sat at this spot to receive the
Ganaga in his matted locks. The shivling is visible in the
early winters when the water level goes down. The picturesque
pilgrimage in the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most
sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for
the first time.
Mythological Mystery
According to mythology, Goddess Ganga- the daughter of
heaven, manigested herself in the form of a river to absolve
the sins of King Bhagirath's predecessors, following his
severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received into
his matted locks to minimise the immense impact of her fall.
She came to be called Bhagirathi at her legendary
source.
A long the right bank of Bhagirathi stands the shrine of
Gangotri dedicated to the Goddess. Perched at a height of 3042
mts., it was constructed in the early 18th century by a Gorkha
Commander, Amar Singh Thapa. Every year, lakhs of pilgrims
throng the sacred temple between May and October. By November,
Gangotri is covered by snow. It is believed that the Goddess
retreats to Mukhba, her winter abode.
Prime Pilgrimage Attraction
Gangotri Temple
The 18th century's temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga is
located near a sacred stone where King Bhagirath worshipped
Lord Shiva. Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this
spot. According to another legend, Pandavas performed the
great 'Deva Yagna' here to atone the deaths of their kinsmen
in the epic battle of Mahabharata. The temple is an exquisite
20 ft. High structure made of white granite.
Excursion
Nandanvan Tapovan
An arduous trek along the Gangotri Glacier leads to scenic
Nandanvan - the base camp for the Bhagirathi peaks, that
offers a panoramic view of the surrounding Shivaling peak. A
trek across the snout of the Gangotri Glacier leads to Tapovan
known for its beautiful meadows that encircle the base of the
Shivling Peak.
Uttarkashi (99 kms.)
An important pilgrimage centre, situated at an elevation of
1,150 mts. above sea level on the bank of river Bhagirathi.
Some of the important temples worth visiting are -
Vishwanath temple, Ekadash Rudra temple, Gyaneshwar temple and
Kuteti Devi Temple. Nearby is the Nehru Institute of
Mountaineering. Every year, during the 'Magh Mela'
people visit Uttarkashi to take a holy dip in Bhagirathi along
with the image of their village deity.
Kedar Tal (18 kms.)
An enhancing lake, 4425 mts. above sea level against the
splendid backdrop of mighty Thalaiyasagar peak. Accessible
through a rough mountain trail, it is the base camp
for trekking to surrounding peaks. The trek to Kedartal needs
a local guide.
Gaumukh( 18 kms.)
The snout of the Gangotri Glacier and the source of the
Bhagirathi river. Pilgrims trek upto the sacred spot on foot
or on ponies to take a holy dip in the ice-cold water.
Dayara Bugyal (93 kms.)
A breathtakingly beautiful meadow, situated at a height of
3,048 mts. above sea level. A motorable road connects Bhatwari
(27 kms. from Uttarkashi) with Raithal village,
from where follows a 6 kms. long trek to Dayara. The famous
Sheshnag Temple enroute is an attraction of the trek. From
Dayara, one can also trek down to Dodi Tal (30
kms.). During winters, Dayara provides excellent ski slopes
over an area of 28 sq.kms.
Nachiketa Tal (131 kms.)
A pleasant trek through lush green forests leads to this
peaceful retreat. A small temple along the lake and lovely
surroundings are an attraction.
Tehri (173 kms.)
Lying at the confluence of Bhagirathi and Bhilangna rivers is
the former capital of Tehri Garhwal principality. It is the
site of a giant hydel project.
Narendranagar (239 kms.)
The new capital of erstwhile Tehri state, offers a
magnificent view of the Ganga valley of Rishikesh and the
plains of Haridwar.
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