Travel Tips for Visiting Gangotri Dham Yatra

About Gangotri Dham:

Located at an elevation of 3,100 meters above sea level and surrounded by an expansive biodiversity of lush greenery sits the gleaming white temple structure of Gangotri Dham. Situated in the scenic district of Uttarkashi, this Dham is believed to be located right on the spot where the holy river Ganga had descended from the heavenly to the earthly realm. You can savor some of the most magnificent views of the surrounding snow-clad Himalayan ranges. This Dham is also lined by the fast-flowing river Ganga and it serves as the seat of Ganga which you can visit by availing of one of the many Gangotri tour and travel packages.

Opening and Closing Dates:

The temple opens up for Darshan during the holy eve of Akshaya Tritiya which generally falls during the months of either end of April or the beginning of May. During the monsoon months of July to September, the Dham Yatra to Gangotri halts for a while due to the harsh weather conditions. This Dham site shuts down for Darshan with the onset of winter months which falls during the month of either end of October or the beginning of November on the holy day of Bhai Dooj which takes place after the festival of Diwali.

Legend of the Temple:

The origin of this temple dates back to the time when King Bhagirath was performing penance to Goddess Ganga here. As per legends King Bhagirathi’s great grandfather King Sagar is said to have slain the demons on earth and in order to showcase his superiority he is believed to have staged an Ashwamedha Yajna. When the horse was tied to the hut of sage Kapila by Indra who feared that he would lose his claim to the throne, the king sent his 60,000 sons to get the horse back. Finding the horse next to the sage’s hut the sons decided to take it back. This disturbed the sage who was in a deeply meditative state and killed all the 60,000 sons. He also cursed that the souls of the sons would achieve moksha after their ashes are dissolved in the holy and heavenly river of Ganga. King Bhagirath decided to perform deep penance to the goddess which convinced her to make her home on earth and provide moksha to all the departed souls. 

Winter Abode:

During the winter month when the temple Kapat shuts down for Darshan during the month of either late October or early November the idol of the presiding deity is moved to its winter home in the nearby village of Mukhba which lies in the valley of Harsil. The idol is kept on top of a colorfully decorated palanquin and is carried away amidst rhythmic chanting and devotional music making this journey filled with fun and spirituality. 

Travel Tips:

• Load Up on Woolen Wear - Being located at a high elevation the temple Dham experiences extreme weather conditions. Although you will be visiting during the pleasant summer months you will still feel cold since the air here is chilly. Do not forget to carry along some of your winter essentials that will definitely prove to be handy like - woolen ear muffs, mufflers, leg warmers, gloves, sunglasses etc.
• Not Monsoon Months - Make sure you go on this journey either during the summer months or after the completion of the rainy months. Since during the rainy months of July to August, the Yatra comes to a temporary halt when the entire region gets covered in torrential rains and unexpected landslides putting your journey at risk.
• Make Your Reservations Beforehand - You have to make sure that all your ticket bookings and reservations are done way beforehand since this pilgrimage journey is availed by a number of pilgrims and devotees from across the globe. In case you do not want to miss out on your Yatra journey then please confirm your package bookings way beforehand.
• Maintain Sanctity - As you all know that this is a holy destination no consumption of non-vegetarian food or alcoholic drinks is allowed. Please refrain from the consumption of either of these items since it may prove to be incredibly hurtful to the sentiments of Hindu pilgrims.
• Other Places of Interest - After the completion of your Darshan Gangotri Dham offers numerous opportunities for you to go on a complete sightseeing expedition of the place. You can visit places like - Bhojbasa, Tapovan, Gangnani, Bhaironghati, Harsil, Dharali, Jalmagna Shivling and so much more. There is no dearth of beautiful and mesmerizing natural beauty at this iconic holy destination.
• Accommodation Expectations - The accommodation facilities that are available at Gangotri Dham are not high-end or up to the standards of a 5-star luxury resort. There are camping facilities available along with some cheap and budget-friendly stay options. There is also a guesthouse by GMVN which lets you avail of the dorm facilities at the most nominal price.
• Best Way to Travel - The best way to travel to Gangotri Dham is by bus or taxi which is easily available at the departure locations of railway station or airport (jolly grant). These taxis and cabs are available on a hiring basis and can be availed at the best prices. Taxis and other vehicles that head for the Dham are the best way of going.
• Carry Medicines - It is a wise decision for you to carry some important medications along with you during your holy Yatra like anti-fever, antibiotics, medicines for diarrhea, cough syrups, pain killers, etc. which will definitely prove to be handy during dire situations. Also make sure to carry along with you a first aid kit which should be kept with you at all times which includes a bottle of Dettol, bandage, cotton, band-aid etc.
• BSNL sim - Make sure to carry along with you a local phone with a BSNL sim card which is easily available anywhere. This can really come in use when you need to contact anyone during an emergency situation.