Gangotri And Gomukh
Introduction and History: The Gangotri is the source of river Ganga, which is called as Bhagirathi at this place. The origin river Ganga is at a place called Gaumukh, which is a 19 kilometers trek from Gangotri. This small town is situated in Uttaranchal state, centered on a temple of the goddess Ganga. The temple was built by the Gurkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the late 18th century. Due to its unique location Gangotri serves multi purpose as a pilgrimage spot, trekker’s delight and a place for nature lovers. Submerged in the river there is a natural Lingam where, according to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva sat when he received the Goddess Ganga in his matted locks.
What to see and when to go: This is an ideal place for trekking, which is the major tourist attraction. The Gangotri-Gaumukh-Tapovan and Gangotri-Kedartal trekking routes are known a famous place for trekking. May - June and Aug – Oct is the ideal time to visit this place.
Accommodation: There is good number of hotels located near Gangotri temple. State government approved tourist bungalows are also available. Unlike other tourist attractions, Gangotri doesn’t have many attractive places to stay. Travelers can also check out other accommodation options like Ashrams and Dharmashalas located there.
Mode of Transport: The nearby airport is Dehradun (24 kilometers), which is well connected with major cities in India. The nearest major railway junction is located in Rishikesh, which is about 250 kilometers away. Gangotri is also accessible directly by car and bus. Bus services of Samyukt Rotation Yatayat Vyawastha Samiti connect Gangotri with Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, Delhi etc.
Related links:
• Uttaranchal official site: http://www.uttaranchal.ws/
See also (nearby places): Tapovan, Kedal tal, Dayara Bugyal, Uttarkashi, Harsil and the Nehru institute of mountaineering are some of the nearby attractions. Apart from that
the state of Uttaranchal is known for its pilgrimage tourist destinations like Auli, Yamunotri temple, Kedarnath temple, Badrinath temple and Sangura temple. The Jim Corbett National Park is another natural attraction nearby.
