Gangotri Temple: Complete Guide (2026–27)
Category: Travel | Updated On: October 14, 2026 | Published: July 18, 2024
Gangotri Temple is the shrine of Goddess Ganga in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, at about 3,100 m (10,200 ft) on the Bhagirathi river. It is the second stop of the Char Dham Yatra and is reached fully by road, about 241 km from Dehradun. The temple is open from Akshaya Tritiya (April/May) to Annakut, the day after Diwali: the 2026 season closes on 10 November 2026 at 12:05 PM, and the temple is expected to reopen on Akshaya Tritiya, around 8–9 May 2027. Gaumukh, the glacier where the Bhagirathi begins, is a 19 km trek beyond the temple.
Gangotri Temple Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
| Altitude | About 3,100 m (10,200 ft) |
| Location | Gangotri town, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand; about 96 km beyond Uttarkashi on NH-34 |
| Deity | Goddess Ganga |
| Built by | Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa; restored by the Jaipur royal family in the 20th century |
| Open season | Akshaya Tritiya (April/May) to Annakut, the day after Diwali (October/November) |
| 2026 season | Opened 19 April 2026; closes 10 November 2026 at 12:05 PM (official) |
| 2027 opening | Expected on Akshaya Tritiya, around 8–9 May 2027, to be announced by the temple committee |
| Winter seat | Mukhba village near Harsil, about 25 km away |
| From Dehradun / Rishikesh / Delhi | About 241 km / 259 km / 470 km by road |
| Nearest airport / railway | Jolly Grant, Dehradun / Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh |
| Registration | Char Dham registration is mandatory during the yatra |
Gangotri Temple Opening and Closing Dates 2026–27
| Season | Opening | Closing |
| 2025 | 30 April 2025 | 22 October 2025 |
| 2026 | 19 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya) | 10 November 2026 (Annakut), 12:05 PM |
| 2027 | Expected around 8–9 May 2027 (Akshaya Tritiya) | To be announced |
The exact closing muhurat is announced by the temple priests around Vijayadashami. For details and updates, see the Gangotri opening and closing date page. Non-Hindu visitors should also read the Gangotri Panchgavya entry rule.
Best Time to Visit Gangotri Temple
The best time to visit Gangotri is May–June and September–October. July and August bring heavy rain and landslides on the road, and from November the area is snowbound.
| Month | Day / night temperature | What to expect |
| May | 4°C to 15°C | Temple has just opened; pleasant days, cold nights |
| June | 8°C to 18°C | Peak yatra season; book stays early |
| July – August | 10°C to 16°C | Monsoon; landslides and road blocks are common |
| September | 7°C to 15°C | Clear skies and fewer crowds |
| October | 2°C to 12°C | Cold mornings; temple closes around Diwali |
For live conditions, check Gangotri weather today.
How to Reach Gangotri Temple
- By road: Gangotri is fully motorable. The usual route is Rishikesh → Chamba → Chinyalisaur → Uttarkashi → Harsil → Gangotri; from Dehradun, go via Mussoorie and Chamba.
- Distances: about 241 km from Dehradun, 259 km from Rishikesh, 285 km from Haridwar and 470 km from Delhi. See the full Gangotri distance chart.
- By air and train: the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun; the nearest railway stations are Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh.
- With a package: our Char Dham Yatra package covers Gangotri with transport, stays and darshan planning.
Places to Visit Near Gangotri Temple
- Bhagirath Shila and Surya Kund: the rock where King Bhagirath is said to have meditated, beside the temple, and the waterfall just below it.
- Gaumukh and Tapovan: the snout of the Gangotri Glacier, a 19 km trek away, and the meadow below Mt Shivling about 4 km further. Do it with our Gaumukh Tapovan trek package.
- Harsil: an apple-growing valley at about 2,620 m, 25 km before Gangotri, next to the winter seat at Mukhba.
- Gangotri National Park: the protected area around the temple, home to the Gaumukh and Kedartal treks.
See all places to visit in Gangotri, with distances and a 4-day plan.
Gangotri Temple History in Brief
Hindu tradition holds that King Bhagirath prayed at Bhagirath Shila to bring the Ganga to earth, and that Lord Shiva caught her in his hair to soften her fall. The present white stone temple was built by the Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa and restored in the 20th century by the Jaipur royal family. Ganga Dussehra, in May or June, is the main festival here.
Read the full history of Gangotri temple.
FAQs on Gangotri Temple
1) What is the height of Gangotri temple?
Gangotri temple stands at about 3,100 m (10,200 ft) above sea level on the Bhagirathi river in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand.
2) Where is Gangotri temple located?
Gangotri temple is in Gangotri town, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, about 96 km beyond Uttarkashi on NH-34 and about 241 km from Dehradun.
3) When does Gangotri temple open and close in 2026–27?
Gangotri opened on 19 April 2026. It closes on 10 November 2026 at 12:05 PM on Annakut, the day after Diwali, and is expected to reopen on Akshaya Tritiya, around 8–9 May 2027.
4) What are Gangotri temple timings?
The temple is usually open from early morning to about 9 PM during the season, with a break in the afternoon and aarti in the morning and evening. Timings can change, so confirm locally.
5) How do I reach Gangotri from Dehradun, Rishikesh or Delhi?
Gangotri is reached by road: about 241 km from Dehradun, 259 km from Rishikesh and 470 km from Delhi, via Uttarkashi and Harsil. Most people break the journey at Uttarkashi.
6) Is Char Dham registration needed for Gangotri?
Yes. Registration is mandatory for Gangotri during the Char Dham Yatra season. You can register online or at the counters in Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun.
7) How far is Gaumukh from Gangotri, and can I trek it?
Gaumukh is a 19 km trek from Gangotri, and Tapovan is about 4 km further. You need a Gangotri National Park permit and, beyond Gaumukh, a registered guide; our Gaumukh Tapovan trek package arranges both.
8) Who built Gangotri temple?
Gangotri temple was built by the Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa and later restored by the Jaipur royal family in the 20th century.
