Gangotri (Hindi: गंगोत्री) is a town and a Nagar Panchayat (municipality) in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi and origin of River Ganges. It is on the Greater Himalayan Range, at a height of 3,100 metres (10,200 ft). According to popular Hindu legend, it was here that Goddess Ganga descended when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. Gangotri is the highest and the most important temple of River Ganga. According to Hindu Mythology, Gangotri is the place where river Ganga descended from the heaven when Lord Shiva released the mightly river from his luscious locks.

Gangotri, the origin of the River Ganges and seat of the goddess Ganga, is one of the four sites in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The original Gangotri Temple was built by the Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source and acquires the name Ganga (the Ganges) from Devprayag onwards where it meets the Alaknanda. The origin of the holy river is at Gaumukh, set in the Gangotri Glacier, and is a 19 km trek from Gangotri.Gangotri is a small town centered around the temple of Gangotri temple and is one of the holy places among the four Char Dhams. It is cuddled in the heart of Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and is located close to the Indo-Tibetan border. It is the highest and the most important temple of river Ganga which is worshiped as a Goddess in India.

Places to visit near the Gangotri Temple

Bhagirath Shila

Bhagirath Shila is believed to be the holy rock where King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva.

Pandava Gufa

Pandava Gufa, located 1.5 km from Gangotri, is the place where the Pandavas are believed to have meditated and rested en route Kailash. Pilgrims will have to trek up to the Pandava Gufa.

In the pilgrimage journey of Chota Char Dham, Gangotri is often visited after Yamunotri (located on the western region of Garhwal Hills). Pilgrims generally make Uttarkashi as their base camp. The time taken from Uttarkashi to Gangotri temple is about 4 hours by road.