| Char Dham Yatra – Gangotri Darshan, Day 17 |


Char Dham Yatra – Pilgrimage to the Himalayas

Day 17 – Gangotri Darshan

Everyone’s life has been sanctified and fulfilled after Darshan of the Mother’s sacred abode. Today we shall learn about Gomukh, the point from where Mother Bhagirathi flows incessantly as a stream, for the welfare of the world. It is not easy for every one of the faithful or the devout to come up to this point because, the climb from Gangotree to Gomukh is too steep, almost vertical. Therefore, very few people go up to Gomukh.

Mostly, those coming to Gangotri offer their salutations to the Mother at Gangotri itself and return home from there. Several years ago, the route to Gomukh was open to every one. Over the years though, as the number of pilgrims and tourists rose drastically, the Gomukh glacier began to melt and so, only 15 – 20 people per day are now permitted to go to Gomukh. Come, let us know more and and have the Darshan of some other places too.

Gomukh

The mouth of the Gomukh Gangotri glacier which is also the point of origin of river Bhagirathi, is at a distance of 19 kms from Gangotri. It is believed that all our sins are washed away, if we bathe in the icy waters that flow from this point. The distance from Gangotri to Gomukh can be covered on foot or on horseback. Many people return on the same day. Porters & horses are available in Gangotri. 25 kms long, 4 kms wide and approximately 40 kms high; Gomukh is a perfect measure in itself.

Mother Ganga emerges from a cave of the glacier, whose opening is like that of a cow’s mouth. Mother Ganga is referred to as Bhagirathi, at this point. When the river stream that emerges from here meets river Alaknanda, then it is called Ganga. Looking at the Gaurikund situated in Gangotri, one feels that Lord Shiva has really tied Ganga up in His long matted tresses. Beholding the Divine sight of Gaurikund, the seers are delighted with joy and bliss. Seeing Gauri Kund, it appears as though the Lord of Lords Mahadev (Shiva) formed a circle out of His golden tresses and then allowed the Ganga to flow into this Kund from just one of His long locks. From here, the Ganga races ahead, ripping across the chest of the mountains. Here, she is called out by the name Bhagirathi. As such, the Ganga is formed from the union of seven river streams, in Devprayag. The names of these 7 noble & life sustaining, divine rivers are: Bhagirathi, Jahnavi, Bheelganga, Mandakini, Rishi Ganga, Saraswati and Alaknanda. All these Divine rivers flow into Devprayag and unite here.

(To be continued …)