Gangotri is a temple of the goddess Ganga on the Bhagirathi river in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. Here the river is called the Bhagirathi; it becomes the Ganga at Devprayag, where it meets the Alaknanda, and its source at Gaumukh is about 19 km further on. A road reaches the temple, and it is the second stop of the Chhota Char Dham yatra.
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- Deity
- Goddess Ganga
- Place
- Gangotri, on the right bank of the Bhagirathi, Uttarkashi district
- State
- Uttarakhand
- Country
- India
- Official website
- Shri 5 Mandir Samiti, Gangotri Dham (shrigangotridhammandirsamiti.org)
When it is open
In 2026 the doors opened on Akshaya Tritiya, 19 April, at 12:15 pm. By custom they close on Annakut (Govardhan Puja), which falls on 10 November in 2026; the time is announced every year. In 2025 the doors closed on 22 October, Annakut, and the image was taken to Mukhba.
Source: newsonair.gov.inChecked:
The story of Bhagiratha
The Uttarkashi district website gives this story: King Sagara’s sixty thousand sons had been burnt to ashes; for their deliverance King Bhagiratha did penance, and the Ganga came down to earth. The rock near the temple on which Bhagiratha is believed to have meditated is called the Bhagirath Shila. The story of the Ganga’s descent is also told in the Bala Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana (sargas 38 to 44).
The temple and its worship
According to Uttarkashi district and the Gangotri temple committee, the present temple was built by the Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa; according to the Char Dham portal it was later restored by the Maharaja of Jaipur. According to the committee the temple is built of white granite in the Nagara style.
According to the temple committee, worship has for centuries been performed by the Semwal brahmins of Mukhba village, and in winter the image of Ganga is taken to Mukhba, where worship continues through the winter.
How to reach Gangotri
- Road: a motor road reaches the temple (National Highway 108); according to Uttarkashi district it is about 248 km from Rishikesh and 100 km from Uttarkashi town.
- Rail and air: the nearest stations are Rishikesh, Dehradun and Haridwar, and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (about 250 km according to Uttarakhand Tourism).
- Gaumukh, the source of the river, is a 19 km walk from Gangotri (Uttarkashi district). Pilgrims register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.
Main festivals
Where the sources differ
- Darshan hours: the temple committee’s website gives 6:15 to 9 am, 3 to 7:20 pm and 8:30 to 9:30 pm (rest 2 to 3 pm; half an hour less after Sharad Navratri). But at its meeting of 4 April 2026 the committee decided that darshan would run from 6 am to 4 pm and again from the 7:45 pm Ganga aarti until 10 pm (the committee’s secretary, in Amar Ujala and ETV Bharat). The website does not show this change, so no timetable is given here; check with the committee before you go.
- Height: Uttarakhand Tourism gives about 3,415 m, the Char Dham portal 3,100 m, and Uttarkashi district’s pages 3,140 m and 3,200 m.
- The century: the committee places Amar Singh Thapa’s building in the 18th century, while the Chamoli district history page puts Gorkha rule in Garhwal at 1804 to 1815, that is, in the 19th century.
- Distance from Rishikesh: Uttarkashi district gives about 248 km, Uttarakhand Tourism about 230 km.
Frequently asked questions
When does Gangotri close?
By custom on Annakut (Govardhan Puja), which is on 10 November in 2026; the time is announced every year. In winter Ganga is worshipped at Mukhba village.
Why is the Ganga called the Bhagirathi at Gangotri?
After King Bhagiratha, whose penance, the story says, brought the Ganga to earth. After it meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag the river is called the Ganga (Uttarkashi district).
Where is Gangotri Temple?
Gangotri Temple is in Gangotri, on the right bank of the Bhagirathi, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand.
Which lists of tirthas include Gangotri?
The Chhota Char Dham (number 2 of 4 in the list).
How to reach Gangotri?
Road: a motor road reaches the temple (National Highway 108); according to Uttarkashi district it is about 248 km from Rishikesh and 100 km from Uttarkashi town. Rail and air: the nearest stations are Rishikesh, Dehradun and Haridwar, and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (about 250 km according to Uttarakhand Tourism).
Sources
- Uttarkashi district: Gangotri temple: https://uttarkashi.nic.in/gangotri-temple/ ; Gangotri Dham: https://uttarkashi.nic.in/tourist-place/gangotri-dham-uttarkashi/
- Shri 5 Mandir Samiti, Gangotri Dham: about us and darshan information: https://shrigangotridhammandirsamiti.org/about-us-3/ ; https://shrigangotridhammandirsamiti.org/darshan-information/
- Government of Uttarakhand, Char Dham registration portal: Gangotri: https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/dham_detail.php?dham=Mg==
- Uttarakhand Tourism: Gangotri: https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/destination/gangotri
- Chamoli district: History: https://chamoli.gov.in/history/
- Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda, sargas 38-44 (Sagara’s sons and the descent of the Ganga)
- All India Radio News, 19 April 2026: Gangotri and Yamunotri open on Akshaya Tritiya: https://newsonair.gov.in/portals-of-gangotri-dham-and-yamunotri-dham-open-for-devotees-on-akshaya-tritiya/
- All India Radio News, 22 October 2025: Gangotri closes on Annakut; the image moved to Mukhba: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/gangotri-dham-closed-for-winter-today-on-annakut-festival-idol-of-goddess-ganga-moved-to-mukhba/
- Amar Ujala, 4 April 2026: Gangotri darshan hours changed: https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/gangotri-dham-temple-darshan-timings-change-open-from-6-00-to-4-00-evening-aarti-scheduled-chardham-yatra2026-2026-04-04
- ETV Bharat, 5 April 2026: the Gangotri temple committee changes darshan hours: https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/bharat/uttarakhand-gangotri-temple-committee-changes-temple-darshan-timings-and-bans-mobile-phones-uttarakhand-news-uts26040501359
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