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.

Bodhgaya And Mahabodhi Temple

Introduction and history: The place where Gautama Buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment is Bodhgaya. The term Mahabodhi literally means Great Awakening. The temple is one of the few early monumental brick structures to have survived in eastern India. Its enormous central tower (55 metres tall) is a 19th century renovation faithful to the earlier towers that existed on the site. The tower comprises numerous horizontal bands of mouldings and arch motifs that extend upward to an amalaka topped by umbrella-shaped forms, recalling the umbrella motifs found at Buddhist Stupa dating back to the time of Asoka and earlier. Around the central tower are four smaller towers added at the end of 19th century that mimic the form of the central tower.

What to see and when to go: The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya courtyard is filled with many Buddha statues and at the back of the temple is the sacred Bodhi Tree. A place called the ‘Jewel Walk’ is near the tree where Lord Buddha practiced walking meditation for seven days after enlightenment. The best time to visit this temple is from October to March.

Things to do: One can go for a picnic at the banks of the river Niranjana. A visit to Bodh Gaya archaeological museum is a must for an art lover.

Accommodation: Bodhgaya offers a fairly extensive range of accommodation facilities which includes three budget hotels, star hotels, and a number of guesthouses and tourist bungalows. In addition to the regular accommodation offered by commercial establishments, rooms (or beds) are offered by some monasteries in Bodhgaya.

Mode of transport: Patna, the capital city of state of Bihar, is the nearest airport, approximately 100 kilometres from the Bodhgaya. The nearest railway head is Gaya (15 kilometres). The main means of transportation within Bodhgaya are `Tongas’, cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws.

Related links:
• Tourist information: www.mahabodhi.com

See also (nearby places): Sun Temple at Deo, Prestshila Hills, Vishnupad Temple at Gaya, Barabar caves, Dungeshwari , Muchalinda Lake , Gaya , Rajgir , Nalanda, Pawapuri, Patna, Maner, Sasaram, Vaishali .