Gangotri Temple, Uttarkashi (Gangotri), Uttarakhand
Photo: Sanjeev travelgrapher, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Gangotri Temple Timings

Gangotri Temple: general darshan opens ~6:00 AM (Mangala Aarti ~6:00 AM); until evening; Sandhya (Ganga) Aarti ~7:45 PM.

Goddess Ganga · Uttarkashi (Gangotri), Uttarakhand

Char DhamFree entryMedium confidence
Darshan hours (as published)
General darshan opens ~6:00 AM (Mangala Aarti ~6:00 AM) · Until evening; Sandhya (Ganga) Aarti ~7:45 PM
Open/closed status loads once the page finishes rendering.

Set in Uttarkashi (Gangotri), Uttarakhand, Gangotri Temple honours Goddess Ganga. It is also known as Gangotri Dham.

One of the Char Dham of Uttarakhand, dedicated to Goddess Ganga; the Ganga Aarti over the Bhagirathi is especially revered. Gangotri is one of the four sacred shrines of the Char Dham Yatra, dedicated to Goddess Ganga near the source of the Bhagirathi.

Uttarakhand carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Dev Bhoomi, the Land of the Gods, home to the Char Dham Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri and the Shakti temples of Haridwar.

Darshan hours and daily worship

SessionTiming (as published)
MorningGeneral darshan opens ~6:00 AM (Mangala Aarti ~6:00 AM)
EveningUntil evening; Sandhya (Ganga) Aarti ~7:45 PM

A brief midday closure occurs around 2:00-3:00 PM. Timings vary slightly between peak and off-season. The temple is open only from around April/May to November; verify on arrival.

Poojas and daily rituals

Mangala Aarti and Sandhya (Ganga) Aarti; Abhishek and flag-hoisting rituals at opening and closing

Weekly or monthly auspicious daysAkshaya Tritiya (opening) and Bhai Dooj (closing)
Signature annual eventsChar Dham Yatra; the opening and closing ceremonies and the winter shifting of the idol to Mukhba

Festivals and special-day timings

Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.

FestivalPeriodWhat happens
Temple Opening (Akshaya Tritiya)April-MayThe portals open with a sacred snan and Abhishek of the Ganga idol and flag hoisting
Temple Closing (Bhai Dooj)November (a day or two after Diwali)Closing puja after which the idol is shifted to Mukhba village for winter worship

History and architecture

Built or establishedAncient Char Dham shrine near the origin of the Bhagirathi (Ganga)

History

Gangotri is one of the four sacred shrines of the Char Dham Yatra, dedicated to Goddess Ganga near the source of the Bhagirathi. The temple opens each year on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya after a special worship of Goddess Ganga at the riverbank. During winter the idol is ceremonially shifted to Mukhba (Mukhwa) village near Harsil, believed to be the Goddess's winter abode, where worship continues.

Planning your visit

Entry feeFree
Best time to visitMay-June and September to early November; the temple closes for about six months in winter due to heavy snowfall (in 2026 open 19 April to 11 November).
NearbyBhagirathi river, Mukhba (Mukhwa) village, Harsil and Gaumukh (the glacial source of the Ganga)

How to reach

Reached by road via Uttarkashi and Harsil; a helicopter service runs from Sahastradhara helipad, Dehradun to Harsil helipad, from where Gangotri is about a further 25 km drive. Char Dham Yatra registration is mandatory.

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Where this information comes from

Confidence: Medium. Opening/closing dates well documented; daily timings vary seasonally

Badrinath Temple
Badrinath, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Yamunotri Temple
Uttarkashi (Yamunotri), Uttarakhand
Mansa Devi Temple
Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Frequently asked questions about Gangotri Temple

What is the timing of Gangotri Temple?

Gangotri Temple: general darshan opens ~6:00 AM (Mangala Aarti ~6:00 AM); until evening; Sandhya (Ganga) Aarti ~7:45 PM. A brief midday closure occurs around 2:00-3:00 PM. Timings vary slightly between peak and off-season. The temple is open only from around April/May to November; verify on arrival.

What are the darshan (visiting) hours at Gangotri Temple?

As published, morning darshan runs General darshan opens ~6:00 AM (Mangala Aarti ~6:00 AM) and evening darshan runs Until evening; Sandhya (Ganga) Aarti ~7:45 PM. A brief midday closure occurs around 2:00-3:00 PM. Timings vary slightly between peak and off-season. The temple is open only from around April/May to November; verify on arrival.

Is there an entry fee at Gangotri Temple?

Free

Which festivals are celebrated at Gangotri Temple?

The main ones documented for this temple are Temple Opening (Akshaya Tritiya), Temple Closing (Bhai Dooj). See the festival table above for dates and what each involves.

What is the best time to visit Gangotri Temple?

May-June and September to early November; the temple closes for about six months in winter due to heavy snowfall (in 2026 open 19 April to 11 November).

How do I reach Gangotri Temple?

Reached by road via Uttarkashi and Harsil; a helicopter service runs from Sahastradhara helipad, Dehradun to Harsil helipad, from where Gangotri is about a further 25 km drive. Char Dham Yatra registration is mandatory.

Who is the presiding deity at Gangotri Temple?

Goddess Ganga

What is the history of Gangotri Temple?

Gangotri is one of the four sacred shrines of the Char Dham Yatra, dedicated to Goddess Ganga near the source of the Bhagirathi.

What poojas or aartis are performed daily at Gangotri Temple?

Mangala Aarti and Sandhya (Ganga) Aarti; Abhishek and flag-hoisting rituals at opening and closing

How reliable is the information on this Gangotri Temple page?

This listing's confidence is rated medium. Opening/closing dates well documented; daily timings vary seasonally