 Couched in the magnificent Garhwal hills, Gangotri is a holy place of pilgrimage situated at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level. Gangotri is situated in the northernmost part of the state of Uttaranchal and is very near the Indo-Tibetan border. It is approximately 300 km from Dehradun and 250 km from Rishikesh.
The most famous site nearby is the Gaumukh (literally, cow's mouth) glacier, which is at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level. It is the geographical origin of the River Ganges, which is called the Bhagirathi here. According to legend, Ganga descended from the heavens at this holy place in the form of a river. Ganga is worshipped as a deity at the Gangotri temple.
Gangotri is snowbound in November and the deity is carried to Mukhba, 25 kms down the river. Despite the harsh winter, sadhus stay in Gangotri year round.
Gaumukh, is 18 kms uphill from Gangotri, and many pilgrims travel to worship at the source of the river.
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