Gangotri Temple Closing and Opening Dates

Situated among the massive Greater Himalayan range in the Uttarkashi district of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, at a height of 3,100 metres above sea level Gangotri Dham is one of the most strikingly popular sites of Hindu pilgrimage destination in India and probably the world. The untouched beauty and sheer spiritualism of this Dham remains incomparable. Sitting amongst the lush greenery on the banks of River Bhagirathi (origin of River Ganga) Gangotri dham is a crucial part of the Chota Chardham Yatra along with Kedarnath, Badrinath and Yamunotri.

This seat of goddess Ganga is said to be the exact place where this holy and mighty river had descended on the earthly realm from the locks of Lord Shiva. This was done when Goddess Ganga took her river form with an aim of absolving the sins of King Bhagiratha’s predecessors after centuries of continuous and severe penance. The original gleaming white temple of Gangotri was built by a Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa who was also known for being one of the most authoritative rulers of Kumaon, Garhwal. Gangotri Dham is also situated at a distance of 19 km from Gangotri glacier which is the origin point for one of the holiest rivers in India, Ganga.

[ Gangotri Dham was opened for darshan on 10 May 2025 during the eve of Akshaya Tritiya. the closing date of the Dham has been decided on 2 November 2025, which is on the eve of Bhai Dooj. ]

Opening Date for Gangotri Dham

Gangotri Dham is one of the 4 most prominent Chota Char Cham Yatra sites which are visited annually by pilgrims and devotees. The temple opens on the day of Akshaya Tritiya which usually falls on either last week of April or first week of May. The kapat of the mandir are opened wide for darshan after the completion of a detailed Ganga puja which takes place both inside as well as by the River bank. This year the doors were opened on 10 May 2025 which witnessed a massive crowd and extreme vigor and spirituality. During winter season when the entire temple area gets covered and completely buried in a thick layer of snow and the temple shuts down for service. However, in order to make the goddess available to the visitors the presiding deity of Goddess Ganga is moved to her winter abode in Mukhba which is a small village located in the hill town of Harsil.

Best Time to Visit Gangotri Dham

If you are an adventurer or an outdoor enthusiast then summer season is the best time to plan your visit to Gangotri, which falls between the months of April and May before the oncoming of the monsoon month in June. The weather in summer season is cool while winters, on the other hand, are unbearably cold and extremely freezing with temperatures falling below zero. Be it summer or winter whenever you plan on visiting Gangotri be sure to carry some sufficient woolen clothing wear along with other appropriate winter wear items.