Puranic Importance of Gangotri Temple Uttarakhand

 Gangotri Temple in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand is the 2nd of the four Char Dham Temples in the Chardham Yatra in Himalayas. 

According to the Hindu Puranas, Goddess Ganga - the daughter of heaven, manifested herself in the form of a river to wash away the sins of King Bhagirath's predecessors, on the result of his severe penance for several centuries. To reduce the effect of her fall, Lord Shiva received her into his matted locks. The spot where Ganga originated as a river is known as Gangotri and the river was termed Bhagirathi. 

The sacred stone where Raja Bhagirath is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva is found here. The natural rock Shivalinga where Lord Shiva is believed to have received the Ganges (called Bhagirathi here) in his matted locks is submerged in the river here. This is visible in the winter months when the water level decreases.

It is said that the Pancha Pandavas have visited this place to get relieved from the sin of killing their relatives during the Kurukshetra war.

Places to visit near Gangotri Temple