What is famous about Gangotri?

Famous for its alluring beauty and sanctity, Gangotri is located on the banks of river Bhagirathi. Excellent view of the snow clad Himalayas.

Gangotri (2025) - Uttarakhand > Char Dham Yatra, Darshan, Best Time

Gangotri Travel Packages

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8 Days / 7 Nights

7 Nights 8 Days Char Dham Yatra Package

Barkot(2N) → Uttarkashi(2N) → Guptkashi(2N) → Kedarnath(1N)

$ 442

15% off

$372/person

9 Days / 8 Nights

Chardham Yatra Tour Package from Haridwar

Yamunotri(2N) → Gangotri(2N) → Kedarnath(1N) → Badrinath(1N)

$314/person

10 Days / 9 Nights

Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath Yatra from Delhi

Haridwar(1N) → Uttarkashi(2N) → Guptkashi(1N) → Kedarnath(1N) → Rudraprayag(1N) → Badrinath(1N) → Joshimath(1N) → Rishikesh(1N)

$700/person

6 Days / 5 Nights

Char Dham by Helicopter Package

Dehradun(1N) → Yamunotri(1N) → Gangotri(1N) → Kedarnath(1N) → Badrinath(1N) → Dehradun(0N)

$ 2,677

6% off

$2,502/person

12 Days / 11 Nights

Divine Char Dham Tour Package from Delhi

Haridwar(2N) → Barkot(2N) → Yamunotri(0N) → Uttarkashi(2N) → Guptkashi(2N) → Kedarnath(1N) → Badrinath(1N) → Rudraprayag(1N)

$651/person

12 Days / 11 Nights

Char Dham Yatra Ex- Delhi 11 Nights 12 Days Pac...

Barkot(2N) → Uttarkashi(2N) → Phata(2N) → Kedarnath(1N) → Badrinath(1N) → Joshimath(1N) → Haridwar(2N)

$ 477

2% off

$465/person

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Gangotri Travel Essentials

Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: April to June, September to November Read More

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"Glacier Source of the Ganges"

Gangotri Tourism

Gangotri Dham is the origin of the holy River Ganga, located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is one of the most revered pilgrimages in India, part of the famous Chhota Char Dham yatra (including Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath).

Gangotri is the easiest to reach (by direct bus or taxi) out of the char dhams. It is located 300 km from Rishikesh and 100 from Uttarkashi. The main attraction of Gangotri is the Gangotri Temple, dedicated to Ma Ganga. The temple remains open for 6 months each year, from May to November. On Akshya Tritiya, the idol of Ma Ganga is shifted to the Gangotri Temple from Mukhbas (Mukhimath). On Bhai Dooj, the idol is returned to Mukhimath for the next 6 months. The temple remains open from 4 AM -9 PM. Aarti Timing is 6 AM and 7:45 PM.

The original source of River Ganga is at Gaumukh, located 19 km away. It is accessible through trekking from Gangotri. River Ganga is known as Bhagirathi as it originates from Gaumukh. It acquires the name Ganga from Devprayag, where it meets Alaknanda River.

Gangotri is visited by millions of devotees each year due to its religious significance. It is believed to be the place where Goddess Ganga descended on earth after Lord Shiva released her from the locks of his hair.

Registration Checkpoints and Office Location: Located in Uttarkashi for offline registration.
Parking Fee and Regulations:
Gangotri panchayat charges a 50 INR parking fee at the entry.
Vehicles should park only on the right side of the roads towards the temple to avoid fines.
Designated parking area available at Gangotri gate number one.
Wheelchair Rental:
Wheelchairs available for rent at gate number 1 for 225 INR per person.
Registration and Darshan Tokens:
Registrations checked at gate no.1 checkpoint.
Free darshan tokens must be collected at gate no.1 checkpoint.
VIP Darshan Facility:
VIP darshan facility can be arranged through pujaris or agents at Bhagirathi ghats.
Holy Baths:
Devotees can bathe in holy waters at Bhagirathi ghats.
Route from Uttarkashi: Uttarkashi - Harsil - Gangotri
Route from Yamunotri: Jankichatti - Barkhot - Bhramkal - Dharasu - Dunda - Uttarkashi - Gangori - Maneri - Bhatwarhi - Gangnani - Harsil - Dharali - Gangotri
Route from Rishikesh: Rishikesh - Narendra Nagar - Chamba - New Tihari - Dharasu Bend - Uttarkashi - Harsil - Gangotri
Uttarkashi is the nearest major point near Gangotri. Many pilgrims stay at Uttarkashi and visit Gangotri for a day
Road Conditions:
Single lane roads from Uttarkashi to Gangotri or Uttarkashi to Janki Chatti.
Heavy traffic congestion, leading to 5 to 8-hour traffic jams.
Delays may worsen in extreme conditions.
Accommodation is available in Gangotri at various guest houses, lodges and dharamshalas. Prices for these vary according to seasons
Food: Some small eateries and restaurants are located in the main market 1km before Gangotri Temple. Non-vegetarian food and alcohol is prohibited in Gangotri
Facilities:
Changing Rooms:Free changing rooms provided for devotees.
Toilets: Paid toilets available for 10 INR per use.
Restaurants and Shops: Several restaurants and shops along the path from parking to the temple.

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The Legend of Gangotri

The ancient and fascinating legend of Gangotri is that, for many-a-century, King Bhagirath undertook a series of severe self-mortifying rituals as a way to show outward repentance of the sins carried out by his predecessors. He performed a very harsh penance, in order to bring nirvana to his ancestors who were said to have been burned to ashes due to a sage’s curse.

The Daughter of Heaven, River Ganga, who only flowed in the heavens before this, then decided to descend into the Earth, after Bhagirath’s prolonged meditation. However, it was said that once the Ganga starts flowing, no one on the face of the Earth could stop the Goddess’s mighty tides and flow which had the power to sweep the entire planet away. It was then that Lord Shiva, on the day of Gangavataran or Ganga Dussehra, decided to rise and channelise the waters with his valour and took the Ganga in the locks of his hair and released one of the strands of his hair in Gangotri. Ganga then flowed down, in the form of 12 streams of water from here - which were later called its tributaries. Hence, Gangotri is that place where the Holy River Ganga, touched Earth for the first time and has been worshipped for thousands of years, ever after.

Best Time to Visit Gangotri

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FAQs on Gangotri

What is the best time to visit Gangotri?

Gangotri tends to remain cold for the most part of the year; however, the ideal time to visit this place is between April to June and from September to October. Summers in Gangotri is quite pleasant and a perfect season to pay homage at the holy shrine. Monsoons are characterised by heavy rainfall, and it is difficult to travel there during that time. Winters are frigid and not the best time to visit the place.

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What are the places near Gangotri?

The top places near to Gangotri are Valley of flowers which is 70 km from Gangotri, Nelong valley which is located 15 km from Gangotri, Auli which is located 79 km from Gangotri, Kedarnath which is located 31 km from Gangotri, Rishikesh which is located 119 km from Gangotri

What are the things to do in Gangotri?

The top things to do in Gangotri are Ganges Glacier, Gangotri Temple, Kedar Tal, Harsil, Dodi Tal, Auden's Col. You can see all the places to visit in Gangotri here

What is the best way to reach Gangotri?

Reaching Gangotri is not a problem, rail head as it is well connected by air, road and railway networks.The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun makes for the nearest airport, while Rishikesh railway station is the railhead at a distance of 250 km from Gangotri. Cars and tourist buses are another viable options to undertake the journey by road.
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What is the local food in Gangotri?

Gangotri does not have an elaborate menu but does house a number of local eating joints, stalls and restaurants as well as ashrams that serve typical Indian platters. One also finds a handful of places serving Chinese here. Since the region has immense religious and spiritual significance for Hindus, non-vegetarian food is not available and alcohol, prohibited.
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Who should visit Gangotri?

Gangotri is a great destination for people who want to enjoy a divine, as well as an adventurous experience. Ideal for the braveheart pilgrims.

What is not so good about Gangotri?

The region is prone to heavy snowfall during the winters, often disrupting the communication and transport facilities. Non-vegetarian food and alcohol are strictly unavailable.

Gangotri