Gaumukh Tapovan Trek: To the Source of the Holy River Ganges

Not many rivers are gods. Not many gods are rivers. But the Ganges, or more properly the Ganga is, in Hinduism, exactly that. The river is the Goddess Ganga and is scared to the estimated 1.2 million Hindus around the world. 

It is thought around 400 million people live in the river’s catchment area and are reliant, in one way or another, on its waters. A trek to its source is a wonderful adventure and to many a pilgrimage. It’s been on my wish list for years – 34 years to be precise.

Sadhu on pilgrimage

I first visited India in 1989 and travelled from Calcutta, now Kolkata, in the East and travelled West to Delhi via Varanasi and Agra. To a young lad of 25 from the UK that visit was, shall we say, ‘memorable’ – as I picked up Guardia within days of getting into Calcutta and after 25 odd days in India I had to return to the UK sick – it took me about 12 moths to recover. However, despite this, I have always wanted to return to India but life – jobs, marriage, having children, mortgages etc – always took priority. 

But early in 2023 I finally put that right and, with my daughters, I revisited India. This time I especially wanted to go to the source of the Ganga.

Tapovan Trek - Ella

Join me on my trek to the very source of the Holy Ganga – the Gangotri glacier high in the Himalayas and the Holy mountain overlooking it Mount Shivling. 

To our western eyes this was a chance to see some big geography – high mountains, glaciers, moraines – but it is also a huge cultural experience as the glacier, Mount Shivling and Gangotri, the town at the trek’s start, are all very important pilgrimage sites for Hindus.  It was quite a journey.

Tom overlooking Bhojbasa

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