Best Time to Visit Gangotri

Which is the best time and season to visit Gangotri? If you want to visit Gangotri, then you can make a trip plan in May and June because this is the best time to visit Gangotri. Gangotri Temple opens in May and closes in November. Although the temple remains open during this period, it is not a good idea to visit Gangotri during the monsoon. This is because rainfall is high and landslides happen in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand. Traveling by road can be dangerous and heavy rains can disrupt your tour itinerary. May and June are the best months to visit Gangotri.

Gangotri – the Origin of the Ganga

Gangotri Temple is one of the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand and this temple is also the origin of the river Ganga, India's most sacred river. The river has its source in Gangotri Glacier. The exact place from where Ganga originates is called Gaumukh. It is located 19 km from Gangotri. The trekking route to Gaumukh starts from Gangotri Temple and goes through mountainous terrain, huge boulders, rockfall sites, and towering Himalayan mountain scenery. Ganga is called Bhagirathi at Gangotri. According to Hindu mythology, it is at Gangotri, that Goddess Ganga took the form of a river and descended from the heavens.

Why you should not visit Gangotri during any other season

The period starting from May and the end of June is best for visiting Gangotri. The days are sunny and the weather remains cool. The Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra is at its peak. The monsoons in Uttarakhand start from July onwards and last till September. This is a time when there is heavy rainfall and trek routes and roads are wet and not fit for walking. Winter season starts in November and lasts till March. This is also the time when Gangotri Temple is closed. There is heavy snowfall during this period and roads are closed as they are covered with snow. It is not advisable to visit Gangotri during the winter. Therefore we strongly suggest you make your Uttarakhand tour plan during May and June.