Overview

The Extraordinary weekend trip to holiness 

Gangotri Yatra, a dream pilgrimage for many. For many years seekers, sages and devotees visit Gangtri to get themselves liberated. But, honestly not everyone is able to visit, because it requires a lot of time. And people who are living in the cities have no time. There are always deadlines, chaos and rush to work. But the spirit is groaning for peace, divine and quiet time right? That is why we have a weekend trip to Gangotri yatra by helicopter. The helicopter yatra by Gangotri, is just any travel regular arrangement. But it is the place where River Ganga starts flowing, the origin, it is one of the most significant experiences in the world. And there are numerous of history, and myths associated with it as well. The helicopter ride to reach the second Dham is not only the quickest way, but it also provides the greatest view of Gangotri. According to the Hindu mythology, there was an ancient Indian king, Bhagirath, who was the great-grandfather of the Pandavas and ruled over an ancient civilization. Bhagirath was appointed to complete a very difficult, nearly impossible task of bringing Goddess Ganga from heaven to earth. This was not for any selfish reasons such as wealth or power, but out of a deep love for his ancestors. The ultimate goal was to liberate the souls of his ancestors who had been confined to an intermediate realm by a sage’s curse and were unable to enter the next realm without the purifying waters of the river Ganga. So, in order to help the souls of ancestors liberated, Bhagirath put all efforts in love. He started to meditate in the high Himalayas, he sat in the high Himalayas for thousands of years in meditation with only one purpose alone, until goddess Ganga agreed to come down.  She would only come down if her fall from heaven would be received by Lord Shiva, who would catch her in his hair because this would prevent the earth from being destroyed by her immense power. Because of all the love Bhagirath has shown through meditation, Shiva agreed and when he did, there was a huge opening in the heavens, allowing Ganga to descend. The River Ganga today, one the most sacred rivers on earth, is the symbol of love, power and life. River Ganga is  providing life to an entire civilization and now flows over the face of the earth for the benefit of every human being who has ever stood next to her. This is the mythological story behind the creation of River Ganga. And every time that a pilgrim arrives at the white temple next to where the roaring Ganga meets the Bhagirathi, and feels the mist in the gorge, and hears the rushing water and realizes that this is a sacred space created by the divine, they have witnessed Ganga.

Do you know there are scientific reasons behind Ganga water too? Researchers have found Gangajal the water from River Ganga and Ganga River to possess uniquely natural antibacterial qualities. And due to bacteriophages in its waters at levels unobtainable elsewhere in the world. Also, if collected from the upper side of the Ganga near its source Gangotri, this water is believed to remain fresh for years without any requirement of refrigeration or any form of treatment, when it is stored in copper vessels. The location of Gangotri, in the high altitude of 3,100 m above sea level in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, is more than just a temple at the river's edge. This place is an extremely rare geographic location where not only does the physical world exist, but also represents where the spiritual and natural world meet to be one, and hence it is not three separate things. The gangotri temple currently consists of a white and silver exterior structure located next to the Bhagirathi River canyon below and guarded by the hovering peaks of Himalayas. It was built in the early eighteenth century by the Gorkha commander Amar Singh Thapa; however, thousands of years prior to this, people had already begun to hold this place as sacred and considered it to be a spot to connect with their god.
When you stand on the banks of river Bhagirathi, you can sense the spiritualness in the air itself. The river is so beautiful, you will be left in awe. You can have a moment of devotion in the best geographic locations of the earth. The River Bhagirathi, it is the name by which it is known from Gaumukh to Devprayag. It is all associated with the history of King Bhagirath sitting in meditation until the universe answered. Truly, a story of devotion and perseverance. 

Then you get to visit Divya Shila which is also known as the holy pillar.  It is recommended for pilgrims to worship the pillar as the mark of entrance and it stands beside the river. The Brahma Kund, which is believed to have the sacred water, is also found at the site, and contains the most sacred water of the Bhagirathi. This sacred water has been offered by pilgrims from centuries ago. Then the third most sacred location is Bhagirath Shila, a rock near the temple, where the king bhagirath meditated and prayed for goddess ganga to come down from the heavens to liberate the souls of his ancestors. The only place in the world where a mortal will ever be able to get the attention of a goddess.
Harsil village will be your overnight stay pitstop, before you go towards Gangotri. Harsil valley is among the highest of the Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of approximately 2,620 metres above sea level. It is located at the confluence of the Bhagirathi River and the early Khun River, 24 kilometres down river from Gangotri. The famous Indian writer and naturalist, Ruskin Bond, has written about the beauty of Harsil. Look at the terraced hillside to see numerous apple trees cascading down the hillside in grandeur. You must take a walk here, it's the best way to explore.