Gangotri (3,100 m), Uttarakhand · 30.9940°, 78.9410°
Source-shrine of the Ganga, where the river — called Bhagirathi here — descends from the Gaumukh glacier snout 19 km upstream. The white granite temple raised by the Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa marks where heaven's river first touched earth; each Diwali eve the deity moves down to Mukhba village for winter.
King Bhagiratha's generations-long penance drew Ganga down to redeem his 60,000 cursed ancestors; Shiva caught her crashing descent in his matted locks and released her gently — the Bhagirath Shila near the temple marks his seat of penance.
Road from Uttarkashi; trek to Gaumukh with permits.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Gorkha/Garhwal