About Gangotri
The shrine of the Ganga's symbolic descent at 3,100 metres on the Bhagirathi's banks — the second dhām of the Chota Char Dham. The actual glacial source, Gaumukh, is a 19 km trek further along the Gangotri Glacier.
History
The white-granite temple was built by the Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa in the early 18th century at the spot where King Bhagiratha is said to have meditated for a thousand years — his penance bringing the Ganga down from heaven, broken in Shiva's matted locks before reaching the earth. The actual source of the river, Gaumukh ('cow's mouth'), is a glacial snout 19 km upstream and has been retreating at roughly 20 m per year since the 1930s — a stark, visible record of climate change. A submerged Shivalinga at the bathing ghat is visible in winter when the Bhagirathi runs lower; tradition says this is the very rock on which Shiva sat to receive the river.
Best Time to Visit
May to June, September to October
Entry fees in your currency
- Gaumukh trek permit (Indian)₹150$…
- Gaumukh trek permit (Foreigner)₹600$…
Live INR rates, refreshed hourly. Confirm at the gate counter — entry fees may have changed since this page was updated.
Entry Fee · Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Gangotri?
Free temple entry. Permit required for the Gaumukh trek.
- Gaumukh trek permit (Indian)₹150
- Gaumukh trek permit (Foreigner)₹600
- Mandatory Char Dham yatra biometric registration
- Open early May to early November (Akshaya Tritiya to Diwali / Govardhan Pooja)
- Aarti timings: 5:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- Gaumukh permit available 1 day in advance at the Gangotri National Park gate or online via Uttarakhand Forest portal
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Travel Tips
- Roadhead reaches the temple — no trek required for darshan itself
- Gaumukh trek requires a permit from the Gangotri National Park office (Bhagirathi range, capped at 150/day)
- Carry empty bottles to fill with Gangajal — pilgrims traditionally take it home or use it for life rituals
- Harsil (25 km downstream) makes a quieter overnight base than Gangotri itself
- The 'aarti' at the ghat at dusk uses 108 oil lamps and is the highlight of an overnight stay
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Bhagirath Shila — the rock platform of King Bhagiratha's penance
- Mukhwa Temple — Ganga's winter abode, 20 km below Gangotri
- Tapovan and Nandanvan — high-altitude meditation grounds beyond Gaumukh, 23–25 km
How to Reach Gangotri
Gangotri is located in Uttarakhand, India at coordinates 30.9947°N, 78.9398°E. You can reach Gangotri by air (nearest airport in Uttarakhand), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Gangotri?
- The best time to visit Gangotri is May to June, September to October.
- What are the top travel tips for Gangotri?
- Roadhead reaches the temple — no trek required for darshan itself. Gaumukh trek requires a permit from the Gangotri National Park office (Bhagirathi range, capped at 150/day). Carry empty bottles to fill with Gangajal — pilgrims traditionally take it home or use it for life rituals. Harsil (25 km downstream) makes a quieter overnight base than Gangotri itself. The 'aarti' at the ghat at dusk uses 108 oil lamps and is the highlight of an overnight stay.
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