The Enigmatic History of Gangotri Temple: A Journey through Myth and Legend
Nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas in Uttarkashi District, Gangotri Temple is a spiritual and historical place of devotees. For centuries, it has attracted pilgrims and devotees seeking the blessings of the holy Ganges River, which originates just meters away. But the temple’s history stretches far beyond documented records, weaving a tapestry of myth, legend, and ancient beliefs.
Mythological Origins:
Legend attributes the establishment of Gangotri to the sage Bhagiratha. Driven by a deep desire to liberate the souls of his ancestors, Bhagiratha performed severe austerities to appease Lord Shiva. His devotion moved Shiva to release the celestial Ganges from his matted locks, allowing the sacred river to descend to Earth and purify his ancestors’ souls. It is believed that the temple marks the spot where the Ganges first touched the Earth.
Early History and Construction:
While the temple’s origins remain shrouded in the mists of time, some form of religious structure is believed to have existed at Gangotri since ancient times. However, the earliest historical records suggest that the current temple was built around the 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa, a Nepalese General. He constructed the temple in its traditional Nagara style, using granite and wood as the primary materials.
Gangotri's Distance From Different Places
The nearest railway station to Gangotri Temple is Dehradun Train Station, located in Lakkhi Bagh, Dehradun. You can find more information about the station on the Indian Railways website: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
- Haridwar to Gangotri Distance: 290 km, approximately 7-8 hours by car
- Dehradun to Gangotri Distance: 237 km, approximately 9-10 hours by car
- Rishikesh to Gangotri Distance: 265 km, approximately 7-8 hours by car
- Kedarnath to Gangotri Distance: 408 km, approximately 15-16 hours by car
- Badrinath to Gangotri Distance: 422 km, approximately 15-16 hours by car
- Delhi to Gangotri Distance: 525 km, approximately 15-16 hours by car
In my personal experience if you are going to Gangotri via Dehradun, I will highly recommend to choose the route of Rishikesh by pass to Chamba and then head towards Gangotri. Because on google maps there is another shorter road via Mussoorie but if you check the travel time of both route it would be almost same due to the road condition. Road via Rishikesh by pass is better and wider which is quite comfortable to drive.
