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Gangotri
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Gangotri |
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Temple Of Gangotri |
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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.
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Gangotri Pilgrimage Attractions |
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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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