TEMPLO GANGOTRI - EL DESPERTAR SAI

The holy shrine of Gangotri (3,140 m) situated in the high Himalayas,is dedicated to goddess Ganga.Gangotri glaciers (4238.6 m) starts trom Chaukhamba cluster of snowpeak and extends upto Gaumukh which is connected by a track trom gangotri.Whether one believes in these legends or not, the properties of Ganga water are well known all over the world. The water of Ganga contains no impurities and remains uncontaminated even after being kept over several years. Scientists attribute this to secretion of herbs, geologists to its mineral content and the Hindus to its holiness.

Gangotri, the source of the river Ganga and seat of the goddess Ganga, is one of the four sites in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source and acquires the name Ganga from Devprayag onwards where it meets the Alaknanda. The origin of the holy river is at Gaumukh, set in the Gangotri Glacier, and is a 19 km trek from Gangotri. Gangotri can be reached in one day's travel from Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun, or in two days from Yamunotri, the first site in the Char Dham circuit

This small town is centered around a temple of the goddess Ganga, which was built by the Gorkha General, Amar Singh Thapa in the early 18th century The temple is closed on Diwali day every year and is reopened in May. During this time, the idol of the goddess is kept at Mukhba village, near Harsil.

On the way to Gangotri

Gangotri temple from the path to Gomukh

Gomukh from top

Gaumukh, source of the Ganges above Gangotri

The Ganges River near Gangotri.

Ganges at Gangotri.

Gangotri Glacier

Waterfall below Gangotri

Bhagirathi River at Gangotri

Taptkund at Gangotri

Submerged Shivling

The natural rock Shivling, submerged in the river, is an amazing sight reinforcing the power of the divine. According to mythology, Lord Shiva sat at this spot to receive the Ganaga in his matted locks. The shivling is visible in the early winters when the water level goes down. The picturesque pilgrimage in the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time.

Couched in the magnificent Garhwal hills, Gangotri is at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level. It is on the northernmost part of the state of Uttar Pradesh and is very near the Indo-Tibetan border. It is approximately 300 km from Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh and 105 km from Uttarkashi.

The summers are relatively cool and winters are freezing cold, with rains in the months of May and June. For the devotees and tourists, the gates of the temple are open only in the months of May to November

According to the legend, King Sagar, after slaying the demons on earth decided to stage in Ashwamegh Yagya as a proclamation of his supremacy. The horse which was to be taken on an uninterrupted journey around the earth was to be accompanied by the King's 60,000 sons born to Queen Sumati and one son Asmanjas born of the second queen Kesani. Indra, supreme ruler of the gods feared that he might be deprived of his celestial throne if the 'Yagya' (worship with fire) succeeded and then took away the horse and tied it to the ashram of Sage Kapil, who was then in deep meditation. The sons of the King Sagar searched for the horse and finally found it tied near the meditating sage. Sixty thousand angry sons of King Sagar stormed the ashram of sage Kapil. When he opened his eyes, 60,000 sons had perished by the curse of sage Kapil. Bhagirath, grand son of King Sagar, is believed to have meditated to bring down the Ganga to cleanse the ashes of his ancestors and liberate their souls, granting them salvation or Moksha. The Bhagirathi 'Shila' is located near the temple of Ganga where the holy Ganga first descended on earth from heaven.

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.

The picturesque pilgrimage in the hinter lands of the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time.

King Rishi Bhagirath

May Goddess Ganga purify our hearts and souls and free us from the clutches of Maya.

Let us all pray today to Goddess Ganga to fill our lives with love and devotion for the one who created us all..

Message from theteachings of Sai baba for 7th November

Sai's Foot Prints Are Guide-Posts
The glow of the far-off brilliance
Oh descending light on this earth in excellence

To stay in Shirdi, came from somewhere
Allowing people always to seek Your shelter

Cleansing the impurities of hard-hearted humans

Lighting the lamp of love and tender thoughts
Imparting the essence of religious equity

Friendliness towards all mortals with no parity

Strength dwells in the belief that God is One

Service is our duty, sacrifice the pathway fine

The eyes of wisdom, You have in fact opened

Even unique boons, on us have You showered.

Following Your foot-steps, indeed is an inspiration

Accept salutations, Oh Sai, accept our salutations.

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devoh Maheshwar;
Gurur Shakshat Parambramha Tashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah"

May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind.
Sai bhakt,
Deepa H

Gangotri Temple