Gangotri (Char Dham) FAQs In 2026 - 2027

Gangotri is a town in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi and origin of River Ganges. It is on the Greater Himalayan Range, at a height of 3,100 meters (10,200 ft). Gangotri is the place where the goddess Ganga descended from heaven when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from his luscious locks.

Gangotri is one of the four ancient pilgrimage sites that make up the Char Dham circuit in Uttarakhand. It is highly revered by Hindus as it symbolizes the origin of the Holy Ganges. The other three destinations in the Char Dham are Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Pilgrims often visit Gangotri during their Char Dham Yatra to seek blessings and cleanse their sins.

The best time to visit Gangotri is from April to June and September to October. During these months, the weather is pleasant for travel, and the risk of landslides or heavy rain is generally lower. The temple usually opens on Akshaya Tritiya (April or May) and closes on Diwali (October or November), depending on the Hindu calendar, and during the winter months, the temple is inaccessible due to heavy snowfall.