Gangotri Glacier
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Gangotri Glacier is located in Uttaranchal, India in a region bordering Tibet. The glacier is about 30 km long (19 miles) and 2 to 4 km (1 to 2 miles) wide. The terminus of the Gangotri Glacier is said to resemble a cow's mouth, and the place is called Goumukh (gou, cow + mukh, face). Goumukh, which is about 18 km (11 miles) from the town of Gangotri, is the precise source of the Bhagirathi river, an important tributary of the Ganga. Goumukh is situated near the base of a mountain called Shivling.
The Gangotri glacier is a traditional Hindu pilgrimage site. Devout Hindus consider bathing in the icy waters near Gangotri town to be a holy ritual, and many make the trek to Goumukh.
The Gangotri glacier is roughly 30 km (19 miles) long. In recent times, it has been pointed out that the retreat of the glacier has quickened significantly.
[edit] References
- Retreat of the Gangotri Glacier, an article from NASA's Earth Observatory
- Save Gangotri, highlights localized ecological damage and conservation efforts in the region
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