Set amidst mountains and forests, the second stop on the yatra is a tiny village (population around 600) whose temple was built in the 18th century and also opens on the first day of Akshaya Tritiya with a special procession. The Ganga (Ganges) River originates here as the Bhagirithi River, so Gangotri is considered the seat of its personification, the goddes Ganga. The special ritual offering of light to the goddess takes place from 8 pm onwards in the temple itself as well as on the banks of the river. Gangotri National Park is a popular ecotourism reserve nearby.

Read more in Tripatini contributor Tour My India´s post One of India´s Greatest Pilgrimage: Uttarakhand State´s Chota Char Dham Yatra.