Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath are the four major shrines that constitute the Char Dham. Among all these shrines, Gangotri is the fourth major and picturesque pilgrimage shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas. The melting Gangotri glacier give rise to sacred Ganga river. The Gangotri Temple is situated at a height of 3140 meters amidst charming surroundings of deodars and pines, about 248 kms. from Rishikesh. The Temple of Gangotri is dedicated to the goddess Ganga and is erected whre she is believed to have been descended on earth for the first time. This temple is visited by lakhs of pilgrims between May and October, every year. By November, Gangotri is covered by snow and it is believed that the goddess retreats to Mukhba, her winter abode. The physical source of the holy river is at Gaumukh, 18 kms. further uphill, along the Gangotri glacier. In summers, the temperature is very cool during the day and cold at night and in winters, it is covered by snow and remains below zero. The best season to visit Gangotri is from April to November. Hindi, Garhwali and English are the main languages which are spoken here.

According to Indian mythology, the King Sagar had 60,000 sons. He defeated all the demons in the earth and wanted to stage a Ashwamedha Yagya to declare his supremacy. For this, he sent his horse across the earth accompanied by his sons. The King of Heaven, Lord Indra feared the power of King Sagar and to stop him, he stole the horse and tied it to the ashram of Sage Kapil. When the 60,000 sons saw the horse in Kapil's ashram they got furious and started to attack the hermitage. Sage Kapil was in deep meditation and on hearing the disturbance he opened his eyes in anger and all the 60,000 sons of King Sagar were reduced to ashes, except for prince Asamanjas. Anshuman, the grandson of King Sagar brought the horse back from the Sage and asked for his forgiveness. Sage Kapil told him that the sons can be brought to life only if Ganga is brought from heaven to earth. So, Bhagirath meditated intesely for several years and finally, the goddess Ganga got pleased and came down to earth and manifested herself in the form of river. To prevent the earth from floods, the Lord Shiva received Ganga into his matted locks to minimise the immense effect of her fall. King Bhagirath then worshipped Lord Shiva and Shiva blessed him and released Ganga from his locks in seven streams. The water of Ganga touched the ashes of Sagar sons who rose to the their eternal rest in heaven. These seven streams of Ganga were Bhagirathi, Jahnvi, Bhilangana, Mandakini, Rishiganga, Saraswati and Alaknanda which merge into Ganga at Devprayag. The Goddess Ganga later came to be called as Bhagirathi at her legendary source in Gangotri. The Gangotri Temple is situated on the right banks of the Bhagirathi river. The rock on which King Bhagirath is believed to have meditated, is called Bhagirath Shila and is located near the temple of Ganga.

By Air: 
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun, situated about 226 kms. from Gangotri.

By Rail:
The nearest railway station is located in Rishikesh, about 249 kms.

By Road:
Gangotri is well connected by road to Rishikesh, Dehra Dun, Haridwar and Delhi.