Chardham Yatra2: About Gangotri And Its Irresistible Spiritual Charms
Gangotri is, no doubt, one of the main destinations on holy Chardham Yatra. Overlooking the shimmering river Bhagirathi, it is situated amidst rugged mountains of Garwal region in Indian state of Utterakhand. The temple is perched on an elevation of around 10,000 ft, and the main deity worshiped here is the Goddess Ganga. Every year, when the popular chardham Yatra begins, one can see a surge of humanity flocking to this divine destination in search of salvation. It is believed that taking dip in holy waters of Bhagirathi gives the human beings redemption from their sins committed in past. Gaumukh, the actual source of river Ganga (Bhagirathi), is also in close proximity of Gangotri.
The Religious importance
As per Hindu myths, the Suryavanshi king Sagar performed the Ashwamedh Yagna in his kingdom. He was blessed with 60,000 sons, who were potent enough to seize the territories that the horse passes through. Indra, the king of heaven, felt insecure by this act of King Sagar. He stole the horse when the princes were sleeping, and tied in ashram of the great sage Kapil Muni. When king Sagars son reached to the Ashram in search of horse, they started making fun of the sage.
When they seemed to cross all limits, Kapil Muni cursed them to turn into ashes. Now the king Sagar prayed the sage to forgive his sons, but it was too late to reverse the curse. However, kapil Muni intimated that the touch of the water of River Ganga, who used to stay in heaven, can give the deliverance of the princes. Many descendant of Sagar tried to bring the river on earth, but all went in vain.
After that, the king Bhagirath did arduous penance and pleased the Goddess Ganga. She agreed to descend to the earth, but the impact of her fall was powerful enough to cause havoc. It is therefore Bagirath prayed lord Shiva and asked him to contain Ganga in his lock. Now Ganga came down from earth and started flowing on earth after snaking its way through the mane of lord Shiva. With the touch of its holy water, the all the sons of king Sagar get Moksha. From that time, Ganga is cleansing the sins of every person who take bath in its water.
The holy shrine of Gangotri was established by Adi Shankracharya. Situated on the left bank of Baghirathi, the temple is made of while stone and well decorated with gilded roof. Later on, it was renovated by Madho Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur. Near the main shrine is the Bhagirath Shila: the very place where king Bhagirath prayed Goddess Ganga.
On special occasions like the Ganga Saptami, masses of crowds can be seen here performing shraadh and pind daan for their ancestors. It is believed that doing the ancestral rites on the bank of Baghrathi frees the respective souls from the cycles of rebirth. Aarti is practiced in temple every day at 7.45 pm (7 pm in winter). This place is marvelously beautiful, surrounded by lush green forests and deep colorful valleys. Gangotri is well connected to Rishikesh and Dehradun, and is quite easy to approach.
The Religious importance
As per Hindu myths, the Suryavanshi king Sagar performed the Ashwamedh Yagna in his kingdom. He was blessed with 60,000 sons, who were potent enough to seize the territories that the horse passes through. Indra, the king of heaven, felt insecure by this act of King Sagar. He stole the horse when the princes were sleeping, and tied in ashram of the great sage Kapil Muni. When king Sagars son reached to the Ashram in search of horse, they started making fun of the sage.
When they seemed to cross all limits, Kapil Muni cursed them to turn into ashes. Now the king Sagar prayed the sage to forgive his sons, but it was too late to reverse the curse. However, kapil Muni intimated that the touch of the water of River Ganga, who used to stay in heaven, can give the deliverance of the princes. Many descendant of Sagar tried to bring the river on earth, but all went in vain.
After that, the king Bhagirath did arduous penance and pleased the Goddess Ganga. She agreed to descend to the earth, but the impact of her fall was powerful enough to cause havoc. It is therefore Bagirath prayed lord Shiva and asked him to contain Ganga in his lock. Now Ganga came down from earth and started flowing on earth after snaking its way through the mane of lord Shiva. With the touch of its holy water, the all the sons of king Sagar get Moksha. From that time, Ganga is cleansing the sins of every person who take bath in its water.
The holy shrine of Gangotri was established by Adi Shankracharya. Situated on the left bank of Baghirathi, the temple is made of while stone and well decorated with gilded roof. Later on, it was renovated by Madho Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur. Near the main shrine is the Bhagirath Shila: the very place where king Bhagirath prayed Goddess Ganga.
On special occasions like the Ganga Saptami, masses of crowds can be seen here performing shraadh and pind daan for their ancestors. It is believed that doing the ancestral rites on the bank of Baghrathi frees the respective souls from the cycles of rebirth. Aarti is practiced in temple every day at 7.45 pm (7 pm in winter). This place is marvelously beautiful, surrounded by lush green forests and deep colorful valleys. Gangotri is well connected to Rishikesh and Dehradun, and is quite easy to approach.
