The Ganga River’s source, Gangotri, is the name that came from the temple’s name. It is dedicated to Ganga, the Hindu goddess. This temple may be found in the town of Gangotri in the state of Uttarakhand. It is located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. It is one of the Chota Char Dham’s pilgrimages. Gangotri literally means ‘the source of the Ganga.’ The river is known as Bhagirathi at its source, and as it flows onward towards Dev-Prayag, it is known as the Ganga. The temple is a beautiful white granite monument that stands 20 feet tall. Between May and October each year, pilgrims from all over the world go to this temple. The Gangotri Temple is a popular tourist destination in Gangotri.
History of Ganga River
Amar Singh Thapa, a Gurkha general, built the Gangotri temple. According to legend, the goddess Ganga assumed the form of a river to cleanse the sins of king Bhagirathi’s forefathers, as the goddess Ganga is the emblem of purity. All sins are washed away by it. According to tradition, during king Sagar’s Ashwamedha Yagya, Lord Indra kidnapped all of his horses and imprisoned them near the ashram of sage Kapil. Rishi Kapil killed sixty thousand of Sagar’s sons. King Bhagiratha, the grandson of King Sagar, appealed to the Ganga River to cleanse the souls of his forefathers and mothers.
Architecture
This structure dates from the 18th century. Granite is used to constructing it. Alongside the temple lies a submerged rock in the shape of a half Shivling. It holds immense significance because it is said that this is where Lord Shiva entangles the Ganga’s waves in his matted locks.
Location
It is located at a height of 3,100 meters in the broader Himalayan mountains, in the district of Uttarkashi and the state of Uttarakhand.
How to Reach Gangotri
By Air- Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 226 kilometers from Gangotri, is the nearest airport.
By Road- Rishikesh, Dehra Dun, Haridwar, and Delhi are all accessible by road from Gangotri.
By Train- Rishikesh (249 miles) and Haridwar (249 km) are the closest railway stations (274Kms). Haridwar is the city having the most connections to other major cities.
गंगा मैया आरती
जय गंगे माता,
श्री जय गंगे माता ।
जो नर तुमको ध्याता,
मनवांछित फल पाता ॥
चंद्र सी जोत तुम्हारी,
जल निर्मल आता ।
शरण पडें जो तेरी,
सो नर तर जाता ॥
॥ ॐ जय गंगे माता..॥
पुत्र सगर के तारे,
सब जग को ज्ञाता ।
कृपा दृष्टि तुम्हारी,
त्रिभुवन सुख दाता ॥
॥ ॐ जय गंगे माता..॥
एक ही बार जो तेरी,
शारणागति आता ।
यम की त्रास मिटा कर,
परमगति पाता ॥
॥ ॐ जय गंगे माता..॥
आरती मात तुम्हारी,
जो जन नित्य गाता ।
दास वही सहज में,
मुक्त्ति को पाता ॥
॥ ॐ जय गंगे माता..॥
ॐ जय गंगे माता,
श्री जय गंगे माता ।
जो नर तुमको ध्याता,
मनवांछित फल पाता ॥
ॐ जय गंगे माता,
ॐ जय गंगे माता,
Aarti- Ganga Mata
Om Jai Gange Mata, Shri Jai Gange Mata
Jo Nar Tumko Dhyata, Man Vanchhit Phal Pata
Om Jai Gange Mata…..
Chandra Si Jyot Tumhari, Jal Nirmal Aata
Sharan Pade Jo Teri, So Nar Tar Jata
Om Jai Gange Mata…..
Putra Sagar Ke Tare, Sab Jag Ko Gyata
Kripa Drishti Tumhari, Tribhuvan Sukh Data
Om Jai Gange Mata…..
Ek Bar Jo parani, sharan teri aata
Yum Ki Tras Mitakar, Paramgati Pata
Om Jai Gange Mata…..
Aarti Mat Tumhari, Jo Jan Nitya Gata
Sevak Wahi Sahaj Me, Mukti Ko Pata
Om Jai Gange Mata…..
