Gangotrie Trip

From Rishikesh to Gangotrie

Gangotrie - a trip to heaven

A trip from the heated roads of Rishikesh to the source of the Bhagirathi: a trip to heaven! Magnificent views, deep gorges, evergreen valleys and majestic, snow capped ranges throughout the whole trip - a truly spectacular setting for a motorcycle tour.

The first astonishing place worth stopping is just after the town Tehri. Over 100, 000 people had to relocate their homes because of the construction of the so called Tehri Dam, Indias highest dam. You can get a good look at the endless length of the "Bhagirathi-river-lake" caused by the dam just after Tehri following the road to Uttarkashi. The dam was completed in 2006, starting a protest action among many Hindus, since the Bhagirathi River is part of the sacred Ganges whose waters are crucial to Hindu beliefs. Also the dam reduced the natural water flow from around 28 cubic meter per second to a mere 5,7 cubic meter per second.

After a relaxed full day drive you will glance the town Uttarkashi, situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi river on an altitude of 1350 m above sea level. Uttarkashi means the kashi (Varanasi) of the north and has besides temples and ashrams India's largest mountaineering institute, the Nehr institute of mountaineering. India's first women to ever climb the Mount Everest - Bachendri Pal - is an alumnus from NIM. The institute organizes a numerous amount of training courses as well as expeditions - a good starting point for a multi-day hiking or climbing tour. 

As your royal enfield is pulling you uphill over the small serpentine road, the air is becoming fresher and cooler. Time to stop in Gangnani - a town with natural hot water springs to take a dip in. Also known as Rishikund, it is a place for devotees to stop and take a bath before heading up to Gangotrie. It can be a magical place when no one is around, but during pilgrimage season this place can get very crowded.

The end of the road leads you into the town Gangotrie. There are no vehicles allowed inside the town center, so you park your enfield on the parking place in the front of the town. Gangotrie is 3100 m above sea level and known as the seat of the goddess Ganga. The main tempel in Gangotrie was built in the early 18th century by a Gorkha Commander. It emits a highly pious aura and religious rituals like the Aarti ceremony are performed by the pujaris of the Semwal family daily.

It is the perfect destination to breath in a serene and pious atmosphere with a striking presence of the snow-clad mountains in the vicinity and the pure crystal clear water of the Bhagirathi flowing through the town center. One can feel close to God in the high altitude of Gangotrie.

Things to do around Gangotrie

The origin of the Bhagirathi River is also seen as the source of the sacred Ganga. At 4200 m around 18 km uphill from Gangotrie the river appears from underneath the glacier. The shape of the ice formation looks like a cow's mouth which means gomukh. Most of the path is relatively easy and on a well defined path, but the last few kilometers the terrain is getting rougher and harder to climb. The stunning views and the atmosphere at the top make the afford well worth it.

A picture selection of the last trip: 

{gallery}Gangotrie{/gallery}