History:

dates back to the 18th century. It is one of the four Char Dhams (holy shrines in Hinduism) in India and the primary temple of the goddess Ganga (Ganga Mata). It is said that the temple was constructed by the warrior-king Bhagirath, who was responsible for bringing the holy river Ganga to earth from the heavens by his penance. The Gangotri temple is situated in Uttaarkashi district, Uttarakhand at an elevation of 3200 m above sea level. It is a part of the Chhota Chaar Dhaam which includes four pilgrimage sites - Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The temple is open from the months of April to November and during the winter months, the idol of Ganga is taken to Mukhba (nearby village). During the annual Gangotri Yatra, devotees from all over the country gather to take part in the religious rituals. It is one of the best temple in Uttarakhand which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Gangotri Temple is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site and one of the four major sites of Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, India. 2. The temple is located in the Garhwal Himalayan range near the source of the holy Ganges River at a height of over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). 3. The temple is situated in the town of Gangotri, which is situated at an altitude of 3,100m (10,200ft). 4. The Gangotri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and was built by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century. 5. The temple complex consists of a main temple and several smaller temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ganesh, Surya and Kali. 6. Every year, large numbers of devotees visit the temple to take a holy dip in the sacred Ganges and perform puja (ceremony). 7. The temple is open for six months every year, from mid-May through October. 8. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, thousands of devotees flock to the Gangotri Temple to take a holy dip in the Ganges, known as Aarti. Here are some facts about the Uttarakhand temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Uttarakhand

Worship Method:

Gangotri temple is the most important holy shrine in Uttarakhand. Worship of the temple is conducted in Hindu Vedic traditions. The daily worship consists of several rituals including arathi (lighting of lamps and offering flowers to the Gods), puja (worship of Gods/Goddesses which includes litany and offering of offerings like flowers and prasadam) and aarti (waving of lamps). Special ceremonies like puja on festival days, jagar, arti, etc., are also offered in the temple. The Gangotri temple is open from the start of the Char Dham Yatra in April to the next year in October or November. On most festival days, the ceremony starts with a puja of the Shiva Lingam in the main sanctum. After this, an arathi (waving of lamps) is performed for all the Gods and an offering of prasad is made. Special poojas such as Shiv puja or Vishnu puja (depending on the day) is also performed in the temple. The most important ritual is the aarti which is done with much enthusiasm and devotion by the devotees. During this aarti, songs are played which adds to the festive atmosphere. The offering of flowers, fruits, coconuts and other items like sindoor, sandalwood paste, jadai, etc., are made during the puja. At the end of the rituals, the deity is bathed with milk, water, ghee and amber. The devotees then take a ritual dip in the holy river Ganges and offer their prayers to the deity. Thus, the worship of the Gangotri temple follows the traditional Vedic rituals. This most visited temple in Uttarakhand

Opening Timing:

Gangotri Temple opens from 6:00 am to 11:00 am and 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm throughout the year. top temples in Uttarakhand

How to reach:

By Train: Gangotri is not directly connected to major railway station. The nearest rail head is Rishikesh, which is about 230 km away from Gangotri. It is well connected to major cities like New Delhi, Dehradun, Allahabad Shalimar etc. After reaching Rishikesh, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to Gangotri. By Road: Gangotri is well connected to major cities and towns in Uttarakhand by road. Buses to Gangotri ply from Rishikesh, Uttarkashi, Chamba, Tehri Garhwal, Haridwar and Dehradun. By Air: The nearest airport to Gangotri is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is about 266 km away.Once you disembark at the airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach Gangotri. famous temples in Uttarakhand