Even though Ganga starts about 18 km up in Himalayas, Gangotri is considered as the starting point of Ganga. But Maa Ganga is called Bhagirathi in memory of the great king who was instrumental in bringing this holy river to the earth through his penance. Maa Ganga remains in this abode till some time near Diwali and then goes down for six months . We did sharadanjali and darpanam for our fore fathers on the banks of the river. Also collected holy water from the river Bhagirathi/Ganga

Visited the Gangotri temple by helicopter and had divine hassle free Darshan. Don't forget to Perform the rituals on the bank of the Holy Ganga with the help of a pandit ji and you may pay Rs. 500 to Rs. 2100 as dakshina as per your faith&capacity. Trust me it's worth the while. And then go to the temple for darshan. Also visit the Kalp Kedarnath mandir, Laxminarayan Temple, and the Hari Shila in the Ganges.

The highest temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga is one of the four Chota Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. (after Yamnotri) The holy river Bhagirathi, which is one of the two head-streams of Ganga, flows alongside Gangotri Temple. in the Gribh grih, The inner sanctorum has the idol of Goddess Ganga. It also contains the idols of Goddess Yamuna, Annapurna, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. The idols of Bhagirath and the sage Adi Sankara complete the set of idols present inside the inner sanctum. There are four little temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman, and Bhagirathi. Other than its divine atmosphere, Gangotri offers stunning vistas all around. According to Hindu legends, the most sacred of all rivers, the Ganga, descended from heaven to earth at Gangotri, when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from his locks. Shiva divided Ganga into 7 streams and saved Earth The river Ganga originates at Gaumukh. Gaumukh is situated at the foot of Gangotri Glacier 19 km away from Gangotri and is accessible by trekking. After it originates from Gaumukh, the river is known as Bhagirathi and it acquires the name 'Ganga' after the river Alaknanda merges into it near the town of Devaprayag. Gangotri Temple is built close to “Bhagirath Shila”. It is a pillar where King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva to bear the descent of the River Ganga. Pilgrims collect the water from the pillar and take it to their homes

The Gangotri Temple is a truly remarkable place, nestled in the stunning Garhwal Himalayas. As one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India, it offers a serene and spiritually uplifting experience that’s hard to match. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Ganga, and its location near the source of the sacred Ganges River adds to its divine charm. The views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and the pristine, flowing waters of the Ganges create an atmosphere of tranquility and awe. The temple itself is beautifully constructed with traditional architecture, and the atmosphere inside is deeply spiritual. Participating in the aarti (rituals) here is a moving experience, with the prayers and chants echoing through the mountains. The journey to Gangotri can be quite an adventure, with winding roads and high altitudes, but it’s well worth it for the sense of peace and connection you’ll find. The local community is welcoming and the services around the temple cater well to the needs of pilgrims. Overall, visiting Gangotri Temple is a profound experience for anyone seeking spiritual solace and a chance to connect with one of the most sacred rivers in India. I highly recommend making the journey if you have the opportunity.