Kedarnath Temple

Gangotri - The Eternal Gift Of Bhagirath's Penance
Be it man's urge to placate the Gods above or to quench his desire for journey, Gangotri is definitely an perfect place. Gangotri, the origin with the sacred river Ganges, draws in travelers in big numbers each and every year. The confrontation with the daunting rivers and attempts to unravel the mysteries in the supernatural world are ubiquitous sights here. Together with the thrill of conquering nature, what 1 experiences here is the mystical aura that India is so renowned for.

Location
Couched inside the superb Garhwal hills, Gangotri is at an altitude of 3048 meters previously mentioned sea degree. It really is on the northernmost portion in the state of Uttar Pradesh and it is really near the Indo-Tibetan border. It's roughly 300 km from Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh and 105 km from Uttarkashi. The summers are comparatively neat and winters are freezing cold, with rains within the months of May possibly and June. To the devotees and travelers, the gates from the temple are open only inside the months of Might to November.

Mythological Legend
Based on an previous legend, Lord Shiva rewarded King Bhagirath right after his penance and Ganga came right down to earth. However, as a result of her pride, as well as the truth which the earth would be devastated if Ganga came down in her full power, Lord Shiva caught her in his locks. It was then proclaimed that Goddess Uma or Parvati, Shiva's consort, would bathe within the Ganges every day and only then would she descend on the earth. The sacred stone close to the temple denotes the location exactly where Ganga very first came right down to earth. This is why Ganga is also called through the title of Bhagirathi.

Distinctive Pilgrimage Attraction

Submerged Shivling
The natural rock Shivling, submerged inside the river, is surely an amazing sight reinforcing the power of the divine. In accordance with mythology, Lord Shiva sat at this spot to get the Ganaga in his matted locks. The shivling is visible inside the early winters once the drinking water degree goes down. The picturesque pilgrimage within the hinterlands in the Himalayas is the most sacred spot exactly where Ganga, the stream of existence, touched earth for the very first time.

Mythological Mystery
According to mythology, Goddess Ganga- the daughter of heaven, manigested herself within the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath's predecessors, following his extreme penance of a number of hundreds of years. Lord Shiva obtained into his matted locks to minimise the immense impact of her fall. She arrived to become named Bhagirathi at her legendary supply.

A lengthy the right financial institution of Bhagirathi stands the shrine of Gangotri devoted towards the Goddess. Perched at a height of 3042 mts., it was made within the early 18th century by a Gorkha Commander, Amar Singh Thapa. Each 12 months, lakhs of pilgrims throng the sacred temple between May and October. By November, Gangotri is coated by snow. It truly is believed the Goddess retreats to Mukhba, her winter abode.

Prime Pilgrimage Attraction

Gangotri Temple
The 18th century's temple devoted to Goddess Ganga is located near a sacred stone where King Bhagirath worshipped Lord Shiva. Ganga is believed to own touched earth at this spot. In accordance with one more legend, Pandavas carried out the fantastic 'Deva Yagna' here to atone the fatalities of their kinsmen inside the epic battle of Mahabharata. The temple is surely an exquisite twenty ft. Large construction created of white granite.

Excursion

Nandanvan Tapovan
An arduous trek together the Gangotri Glacier results in scenic Nandanvan - the base camp for your Bhagirathi peaks, that delivers a panoramic look at from the encompassing Shivaling peak. A trek across the snout from the Gangotri Glacier results in Tapovan recognized for its beautiful meadows that encircle the foundation in the Shivling Peak.

Uttarkashi (99 kms.)
An essential pilgrimage centre, situated at an elevation of one,a hundred and fifty mts. over sea level around the financial institution of river Bhagirathi. A number of the crucial temples really worth visiting are - Vishwanath temple, Ekadash Rudra temple, Gyaneshwar temple and Kuteti Devi Temple. Nearby may be the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Each yr, in the course of the 'Magh Mela' people visit Uttarkashi to just take a holy dip in Bhagirathi together with the picture of their village deity.

Kedar Tal (18 kms.)
An boosting lake, 4425 mts. over sea level in opposition to the splendid backdrop of mighty Thalaiyasagar peak. Accessible by way of a rough mountain trail, it's the foundation camp for trekking to bordering peaks. The trek to Kedartal requirements a neighborhood guide.

Gaumukh( eighteen kms.)
The snout with the Gangotri Glacier and also the supply of the Bhagirathi river. Pilgrims trek upto the sacred spot on foot or on ponies to take a holy dip inside the ice-cold water.

Dayara Bugyal (93 kms.)
A breathtakingly stunning meadow, located at a height of 3,048 mts. over sea level. A motorable road connects Bhatwari (27 kms. from Uttarkashi) with Raithal village, from exactly where follows a six kms. lengthy trek to Dayara. The renowned Sheshnag Temple enroute is surely an attraction from the trek. From Dayara, one can also trek right down to Dodi Tal (thirty kms.). For the duration of winters, Dayara offers outstanding ski slopes over an region of 28 sq.kms.

Nachiketa Tal (131 kms.)
A pleasant trek via lush green forests results in this peaceful retreat. A modest temple together the lake and beautiful environment are an attraction.

Tehri (173 kms.)
Lying in the confluence of Bhagirathi and Bhilangna rivers will be the former money of Tehri Garhwal principality. It really is the website of the giant hydel task.

Narendranagar (239 kms.)
The brand new capital of erstwhile Tehri state, gives a superb watch in the Ganga valley of Rishikesh as well as the plains of Haridwar.

Accessibility

• Airport
  Jolly Grant, Dehradun 226 kms.
  
  
• Railhead
  Rishikesh, 249 kms.
  
  
• Road
  Well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Delhi.