GANGOTRI - GANGOTRI TEMPLE

THE MANDIR:

The place where Ganga with a view to absolving the sins of the ancestors of Bhagirath descended is called Gangotri. And now there lies a temple of modest size dedicated to Ganga. It was built on the self same place, where Bhagiratha did penance by Amar Singh Thapa, the Gurkha commander as early as in the eighteenth century, and made it sacred with installation of the statue of Ganga in it. And it is visited by millions of pilgrims round the year since then to offering fervent prayers. Though there was no big Mandir in the dim past, it was visited by several celebrities in the Treta and Dwapara yugas. The Pancha Pandavas made a pilgrimage to this sacred spot after the Kurukshetra war to atoning the sin of killing akshohinis in is of innocent for the sake of one wicked Duryodhana. Gangotri region turns snow bound by November every year. Then the presiding deity is taken to Mukhaba 25 km. off the down stream for the benefit of visiting devotees.

It is a small town, and only a few, say some thousands are dwelling here. There are facilities for food and staying. Yogis, Sadhus, old and highly evolved souls from the majority, who made their permanent home, and are engaged in counting of beads, awaiting the final call from the heaven. 

It can be reached by bus from Rishikeh.

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