Gangotri

Gangotri sits at 3,100 metres in the Uttarkashi district, where the river Bhagirathi — known downstream as the Ganges — emerges in full force from the Himalayan ramparts. It is the third of the four sacred Char Dhams and arguably the most quietly powerful: less crowded than Kedarnath, less commercial than Badrinath, yet spiritually charged in a way that long-time pilgrims describe as "the place where the river first becomes a goddess."

The temple itself was built by the Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa in the early 18th century, dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Legend holds that King Bhagiratha did penance here for a thousand years to bring the Ganges down from the heavens — and that the river first touched the earth at Bhagirath Shila, the rock platform beside the modern temple.

The actual glacial source is Gaumukh ("Cow's Mouth"), 19 km upstream via a moderate Himalayan trek. The temple opens with elaborate ceremonies on Akshaya Tritiya (April/May) and closes on Diwali, when the deity is carried in a doli to Mukhba village for winter worship.

Gangotri temple is open from Akshaya Tritiya (April/May) to Diwali (October/November). The temple is closed all winter — the deity is moved to Mukhba village. Within the open window, weather varies dramatically by season.