It is believed that after being pleased by the prayers of King Bhagirath. Bhrama Ji agreed to descend Ganga Ji from the heavens, but the flow of mighty Ganga was so powerful it might have destroyed the Earth itself. That why Shiv Ji embraced Ganga Ji in his hair locks and descended her on earth calmly. On the surface it’s just a story, But just pay a visit to Gangotri. You will start believing it’s real.
Harsil (Mukhba Village):-
Harsil valley to Gangotri from here is approximately 26 Km . This entire road goes along Bhagirathi river and it’s an exceptionally scenic route the road is very beautiful.
Bhagirathi River:-
You can see how beautiful the view is of the Bhagirathi River. You can easily spend an hour or two sitting on the rocks there and enjoy the view. This Bhagirathi is known as the Ganga River after meeting at Alaknanda River in Devprayag a little distance from here.
Ganga River:-
Ganga is formed after confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi an interesting fact is that even though Alaknanda is a bigger river, Bhagirathi is believed to be the source of Ganga.
The towering mountains of Gangotri Ranges were standing as if the Himalayas had used their entire might to stop Bhagirathi. A tearing through the mountains down below Bhagirathi was flowing as if these mountains are nothing in front of it’s power.
Suryakund:-
In mythology it is said that the rays of the sun first arrive on earth at this pool, and hence this place is known as Suryakund. Tradition relates that Lord Shiva held the powerful Goddess Ganga in his head and locks with hair. There is a naturally occurring Shivalinga in the pool. In the winter months, when the water level is relatively low, the waterfall can be seen pouring directly onto the Shivalina.
The sacred banks of maa ganga are the places of penance, prayer and meditation of the rishi’s and sages of India. Let us honour their sanctity.
It is a sacrilege to litter, defecate, or dump chemical or industrial waste into the sacred water maa Ganga or on her banks. Let us protect the purity of the environment.
Maa Ganga and Himalayas are treasures of the earth’s ecology and are the home of the most ancient sacred civilization in the world today. Let us awaken to and imbibe its sanctity in our lives.
Gangotri:-
The road to Gangotri passes though some of the most beautiful valleys of Uttarakhand. The views after Uttarkashi become so beautiful, that we often forget where we were going. Mountains decorated with greenery all around. And numerous waterfalls and river streams flowing from them fell like they are actually flowing from Shiv Ji hair locks to meet Ganga down below. By the time we reach Harsil, we start believing that we are actually going to a heavenly place.
Harsil to Gongotri distance 26 KM time approx 45mins – 1hour.
You are looking snow-capped mountains of Bhagirathi and Gangotri.
The walk to the temple was peaceful in itself beautiful mountains above and below Bhagirathi flowing with its infamous might walking along them . Each face was filled with joy. It was feeling as if every had come so far in search for something. And worshipping Mother Ganga, how can one not find what they wished for.
The lanes were getting narrow and there were prayers and chants everywhere. And most amazing thing was that, Bhagirathi flowing beside us. Its flow was so powerful that it was audible during entire walk. And it was just surreal.
Its mere sight was frightening. What would happen if there was flood here?
And the story about Shiv Ji descending Ganga from his hair locks so that it doesn’t destroy earth itself. That story seems believable. This whole place is setup like.
Gangotri Dham market is about a kilometre long. There are lots of shop on left and right side of the market. If you pass through this market in the straight direction, you will reach the Gangotri Dham temple.
History Gangotri Dham:-
The Ganga is so pure and pious that if someone thinks of it even from thousands of kilometres away. it is believed, just doing that grants your every wish. This is the place where the Ganga River originated. There was a king named Sagar. Once, he organized a Yajna(Yagya), as part of which, he had to set free a horse. He had 60,000 sons. Lord Indra felt threatened by the growing strength and prominence of King Sagar. He stole his horse and tied it up at the ashram of Saint Kapil Muni in Ganga Sagar. When those 60,000 sons of the king Sagar reached the ashram, while looking for their horse, they abused Kapil Muni, assuming that it was he who has stolen the horse. The Saint was a learned man and just with the power of his eyesight, he turned those 60,000 men into ashes by burning them immediately. After this, the King their father, was heartbroken and worried about how his sons would be absolved of their excesses in the afterlife. He went to consult Narad Muni. Narad Muni told King Sagar that the day Ganga Maa would reach the earth’s surface, is the day his sons would be absolved of the course of Kapil Muni. To bring Maa Ganga onto the earth, Raja Sagar went into deep meditation as did his sons Anshuman, Asmanjasa, Daleep. It was king Bhagirath, fiver generation later, who came to this place and performed extraordinary meditation for Maa Ganga for 5,500 years. It was then that Ma Ganga granted his wish. But ahe asked who would hold her powerful flow when she reached the earth. This powerful flow Mahayogi Lord Bholenth. When king Bhagirath heard this from maa Ganga he prayed to Lord Bholenath. After that lord Bholenath placed his feet firmly on two separate mountains and chanted ‘Har Har Gange ‘! It was then that maa Ganga started from the heavens above and landed on the forehead of lord Bholenath. Then she kept swirling in the long hair of lord Bholenath for a whole month. It was on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra that maa Ganga finally landed on the earth’s surface. Here at this place called Gangotri.
SUDARSHAN PARBAT:-
Sudarshan Parbat is also visible clearly. And against their backdrop, the visit to Gangotri temple. Feel like an achievement.
KEDAR GANGA RIVER:-
Kedar Ganga River which comes from Kedar Taal. And it is going to meet Bhagirathi.
Pandu Gufa:-
Some distance further from Suraj Kund comes a little mysterious place called Pandu Gufa. It is believed that Pandav’s meditated here on their way to Kailash Mansarovar. The path was a bit long and confusing. But wandering in forest like that has it’s own adventurous vibe. The most beautiful place.
Goole map:-
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Mukhba village:-
Which is also called her mother’ home and there is an interesting story behind it Ganga ji live here during winters. From Bhai Dooj to Akshay Tritiya. Ganga ji is brought here on the day next to Bhai Dooj in a Doli. Priest here had told us the story, that the entire statue doesn’t come only her shadow (golden face mask) is brought, decorated in a Doli. Near this is a very beautiful temple of her brother Someshwar Devta and it’s architecture is really amazing.
There is also a waterfall here, which is called Bheem Paani. It is believed that Bheem, one of the Pandavas had birthed in this waterfall. The location of this village is also very beautiful , you can see Bhagirathi River and nearby mountains and waterfalls it is just amazing.
