Gangotri Temple Guide: Timings, Weather, Gaumukh Trek

Facts checked November 2026.

Gangotri is where Ganga Maa is worshipped closest to her source. This guide covers the Gangotri mandir itself: why it is sacred, timings, weather month by month, the Gaumukh trek and winter darshan at Mukhba. If you are planning Gangotri and Yamunotri together, read our Gangotri and Yamunotri yatra guide for the two-dham route.

This page is part of our Gangotri and Yamunotri Yatra Guide. Planning the yatra? See our Char Dham and Do Dham yatra packages.

Where is Gangotri temple and why is it sacred?

Gangotri temple is in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of about 3,100 m (around 10,200 ft). It is the second dham on the traditional Char Dham yatra, after Yamunotri and before Kedarnath and Badrinath. Our Char Dham route map shows where it sits on the circuit.

According to belief, Ganga came down to earth here when Bhagwan Shiv released her from his locks. King Bhagirath had done long tapasya so that the holy river would free his ancestors. That is why the river at Gangotri is called the Bhagirathi. It takes the name Ganga only after it meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag.

Next to the temple is Bhagirath Shila, the sacred stone where King Bhagirath is believed to have meditated. Many yatris offer prayers there after darshan.

Who built Gangotri temple?

The temple was first built by the Gorkha commander Amar Singh Thapa, generally dated to the 18th century. It was later renovated by the Maharaja of Jaipur. The pujaris who perform the rituals are from the Semwal families of Mukhba village.

Gangotri temple timings and aarti

We could not find official darshan and aarti timings for the 2026 season. The Uttarakhand government’s Char Dham registration portal lists temple timings and aarti timings as “will be announced soon”. Timings can also change through the season and on festival days.

Our advice: confirm darshan and aarti timings locally at Gangotri, or with your yatra organiser, a day before. Reaching early in the morning usually means a calmer darshan, but do not rely on any fixed clock time you see online unless the temple committee has published it.

When does Gangotri open and close?

• Opening: The doors (kapat) open every year on Akshaya Tritiya. In 2026 they opened on 19 April.
• Closing: The doors close on Annakut (Govardhan Puja), the day after Diwali. In 2026 the closing is on 10 November at 12:05 pm.
• After closing: Ganga Maa’s utsav idol is carried in a doli (palanquin) to her winter seat at Mukhba. On the way, the doli halts overnight at the Markandeya temple, and the idol is enshrined at Mukhba the next day.

Dates for 2027 have not been announced yet. See our update on Gangotri and Yamunotri closing 2026 for the latest.

Gangotri weather and temperature month by month

Gangotri is cold for most of the year. Published temperature figures disagree a lot between sources, so the table below is approximate and uses broad descriptions instead of exact numbers. Always plan for the colder end and check a live forecast on the IMD website before you leave.

For most families, May–June and September–October are the comfortable windows. Carry warm layers in every month. Our best time for Char Dham yatra guide and Char Dham packing list will help you prepare.

How to reach Gangotri

Gangotri is reached by road, through Uttarkashi and Harsil. Official travel figures:

• From Haridwar: about 290 km, roughly 10–12 hours, via Chamba, Dharasu, Uttarkashi and Harsil.
• From Rishikesh: about 270 km, roughly 10–12 hours.
• By train: the nearest railway stations are Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun.
• By air: the nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. Helicopter charter services are also available.

Mountain roads are slow, so most yatris break the journey at Uttarkashi or Harsil rather than driving straight through. Our Gangotri Yamunotri yatra from Haridwar includes a night near Gangotri for this reason. Registration is required for the Char Dham yatra; see our Char Dham registration guide.

What to see around Gangotri

• Bhagirath Shila: the sacred stone beside the temple linked to King Bhagirath’s tapasya.
• Bhagirathi ghats: many yatris take a dip or do puja at the river below the temple. The water is ice cold and fast, so stay close to the steps.
• Bhairon Ghati: a stop close to Gangotri that many yatris visit on the way.
• Pandava Gufa: a cave near Gangotri associated with the Pandavas.
• Harsil: a quiet valley village on the way to Gangotri, close to Mukhba.
• Gaumukh and Tapovan: the source of the Bhagirathi, reached only by trek (see below).

Gaumukh and Tapovan trek: permit and difficulty

Gaumukh is the snout of the Gangotri glacier, where the Bhagirathi emerges. Its name comes from its shape, said to look like a cow’s mouth. It lies inside Gangotri National Park, at close to 4,000 m. Our Gaumukh Tapovan trek guide has the stage distances, permit steps and a day plan.

Route and distance

• Gangotri to Gaumukh: about 18 km one way (some official pages say 19 km), usually done over two days.
• Bhojbasa: the halt about 14 km from Gangotri, after passing Chirbasa. Facilities are limited, so carry what you need.
• Bhojbasa to Gaumukh: about 4–4.5 km over rocky glacial moraine.
• Tapovan: a high meadow beyond Gaumukh. The final climb to it is very steep, so it suits only fit trekkers with an experienced guide.

Permit and daily limit

• A permit from the Uttarakhand Forest Department is mandatory to enter Gangotri National Park.
• Only 150 visitors per day are allowed on the Gaumukh route.
• You can apply online or at the forest offices in Uttarkashi or Gangotri. A fee applies; confirm the current amount when you apply.
• The park closes to visitors in winter because of snow.

How difficult is it?

The trek is moderate to difficult. The altitude, loose rock and long walking days make it unsuitable for elderly yatris or anyone with heart or breathing problems. Spend at least a night at Gangotri first so your body can adjust, start early each day and turn back if the weather turns. Note that the glacier has been retreating, so the snout shifts over time.

Gangotri in winter: darshan at Mukhba

When the doors close on Annakut, Ganga Maa’s idol is taken in a procession to Mukhba (also spelt Mukhwa), a village near Harsil and home of the temple’s Semwal pujari families. Ganga Maa stays in the Ganga temple at Mukhba for about six months, until the doors reopen on Akshaya Tritiya.

Yatris can have darshan at Mukhba during winter. See our Mukhba village guide for how to reach and the doli dates. Winter brings snow in the upper valley, so check road conditions before travelling and keep a spare day in your plan.

How Yatra To Temples can help

We organise Char Dham yatras by road that start and end at Haridwar, with Gangotri darshan as part of the circuit. We help with the route, stays, registration and timing your darshan around the weather. See our Char Dham yatra from Haridwar or browse all Char Dham yatra options, then call or WhatsApp us to plan your dates.

Planning around the season? Our Gangotri opening and closing date page has the latest kapat dates and the expected next opening.

Frequently asked questions

What is the altitude of Gangotri temple?

Gangotri temple is at about 3,100 m (around 10,200 ft) above sea level, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. Spend a night at Uttarkashi or Harsil on the way so your body can adjust to the height.

What is the temperature in Gangotri?

It depends on the month. May–June and September–October bring cool to mild days and cold nights, while from late November to March it is freezing with heavy snow and the temple is closed. Exact figures vary between sources, so check a live forecast before you go.

When will Gangotri temple close in 2026?

The doors closed on Annakut, 10 November 2026, at 12:05 pm. Ganga Maa then moved to her winter seat at Mukhba.

When will Gangotri open in 2027?

The 2027 date has not been announced. The doors traditionally open on Akshaya Tritiya; we will update this page once the date is declared.

How far is Gaumukh from Gangotri?

About 18 km one way on foot, via Chirbasa and Bhojbasa. Most people take two days and need a Forest Department permit; only 150 visitors are allowed per day.

Can I visit Gangotri in winter?

The Gangotri temple is closed in winter, but you can have darshan of Ganga Maa at Mukhba village near Harsil. Snow can block roads in the upper valley, so check conditions and keep a spare day.

Is Gangotri part of the Char Dham yatra?

Yes. Gangotri is one of the four dhams, along with Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. It is usually visited second, after Yamunotri.