Mukhba Ganga Temple

Getting there

• By air

  From Harsil, near Mukhba, the nearest airport is Dehradun Airport, 220 km southwest.

• By train

  The nearest railway station is Maneri railhead, 62 km south on NH-34.

• By road

  From Harsil, about 200 km from Dehradun (6 to 7 hours) and 450 km from Delhi (12 to 13 hours). Regular buses and taxis run on these routes.

Rules to know

• Non-Hindus may not enter Mukhba, the deity's winter sanctuary, under a rule set by Gangotri Dham that covers Mukhba too.

Why devotees come here

Mukhba is a village in Uttarkashi district, near Harsil. It is the winter home of Devi Ganga's idol, which stays here from Diwali until spring while Gangotri is snowbound. The priests of the Gangotri temple come from this village.

Mukhba is a village near Harsil in Uttarkashi district. Devi Ganga's idol is carried down from the Gangotri shrine at Diwali, usually in October, and spends the winter here while Gangotri is snowed in and cut off. The legend says King Bhagiratha did penance near the river at Gangotri to bring the Ganga down to earth and clear the sins of his ancestors.

The priests who run the Gangotri temple come from Mukhba, so the village is closely tied to Gangotri worship. The original Gangotri shrine was built by a Nepalese general, Amar Singh Thapa, and restored in the 19th century. It is closed from Diwali day and reopened on Akshaya Tritiya, while the idol is kept at Mukhba.

In spring Devi Ganga's palanquin leaves Mukhba village for Gangotri, as it has done by age-old tradition. Gangotri reopens to pilgrims on Akshaya Tritiya.

Festivals

• Diwali, usually in OctoberDiwali

  The idol is carried down from Gangotri with a big celebration and kept at Mukhba through the winter.

• Spring, before Gangotri reopensPalanquin procession

  As per age-old tradition, Devi Ganga's palanquin leaves Mukhba village for Gangotri.

Tips for your visit

• Harsil is part of the Chota Char Dham Gangotri yatra route, and Mukhba is a village near Harsil.
• The palanquin leaves Mukhba village in spring, so plan a visit for that season if you want to see it.

Questions people ask