Gangotri is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, India, located in the Uttarkashi district at an altitude of 3,100 meters (10,200 feet) in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is the origin of the Bhagirathi River, which later becomes the Ganges (Ganga) after merging with the Alaknanda at Devprayag.
Mythological Origins According to Hindu tradition, King Bhagirath performed intense penance here to bring Ganga (the celestial river) to Earth to purify the souls of his ancestors. Goddess Ganga descended to Earth in the form of a river, first touching Lord Shiva’s matted locks (at Gaumukh) to prevent her force from destroying the Earth. The Gangotri Temple marks the spot where Ganga first touched the Earth.
Temple History Built by: The temple was constructed in the 18th century by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa. Architecture: A white marble structure with a distinctive Himalayan style, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Main Deity: The temple houses an idol of Goddess Ganga, along with shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Bhagirath, and Annapurna.
The Kedarnath Temple, situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet), is an architectural marvel built with massive stone slabs. It is believed to have been constructed by the Pandavas and later revived by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. The temple remains open only from April/May to November due to extreme snowfall in winter. During the winter months, the deity is carried down to Ukhimath for worship.
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