The holy Ganga begins in the Uttarkashi area of Uttarakhand, at Gangotri Dham. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India.
Out of the four holy sites known as the Char Dhams, Gangotri is the easiest to reach (via direct p.m.ct bus or taxi).
Distance from Rishikesh is 270~320 kilometers. It's a 100-kilometer trip to Uttarkashi.
Most visitors to Gangotri come to worship at the Gangotri Temple, which is devoted to Ma Ganga. Every year, from May until November, the temple is inaccessible. The idol of Ma Ganga is moved from Mukhbas to Gangotri Temple on Akshya Tritiya (Mukhim). The idol is taken back to Mukhimath for the following six months on Bhai Dooj.nths
The river begins its journey some 19 kilometers distant at Gaumukh, its originating point.
It's possible to hike there from Gangotri. Bhagirathi refers to the place in Gaumukh from where the Ganges River flows. At the point where it converges with the Alaknanda River at Devprayag, it becomes known as the Ganga.
For its religious importance, Gangotri attracts millions of pilgrims annually. After being freed from Lord Shiva's strands of hair, Goddess Ganga is said to have descended here to Earth.
How To Reach
GANGOTRI DHAM
Gangotri Dham is located at a height of approximately 3100 meters on the Himalayan range in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Gangotri is one the “Char Dham” of Uttarakhand and is 99 km from Uttarkashi. Gangotri Dham is well connected with motorable roads with major cities of Garhwal region.
If you are traveling by bus from Delhi, you can find buses and taxis from ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Rishikesh. From there, you can hire a taxi, share a cab, and use local buses to reach Gangotri Dham. The total distance from Delhi to Gangotri Dham is approximately 530 km.
If you are traveling by air, the nearest airport to Gangotri Dham is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is located approximately 250 km away. From the airport, you can hire a direct taxi to Gangotri Dham.
If you are traveling by train, the nearest railway station to Gangotri Dham is Rishikesh Station, situated approximately 234 km away. From the station, you can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Gangotri Dham.