Gomukh

Gomukh, the terminus or snout of the Gangotri Glacier, from where Bhagirathi River originates, is one of the primary sources of the Ganges River. The place is situated at a height of 13,200 ft. It is one of the largest in the Himalayas with an estimated volume of over 27 cubic kilometers.

Gomukh is also referred to as "Gaumukh" or "Gomukhi" (গোমুখ or গোমুখী). The word "Gomukh" (go + mukh) literally means "Mouth of a Cow". According to some sayings, earlier the snout exactly looked like "Mouth of a Cow".

In ancient times

Gomukh is mentioned in the Puranas. It is said there that searching a lost sheep a shepherd boy reached near a glacier in Gangotri, the snout of which exactly looked like the mouth of a cow, and thus it got its name 'Gomukh'. From then many saints, holy travellers, as well as religious people went there to worship the place.

Geography

Gomukh is 18 km from Gangotri in the foot hills of Bhagirathi at a height of 4255m. It is the snout of the Gangotri Glacier. The Bhagirathi river here is pretty speedy. Around the snout, nature presents a wild topography. There are bolders scattered here and there with some pieces of broken snow, along with the hard clayey snow of the glacier. The Gomukh snout is rapidly moving backwards. According to the modern research the snout has moved 1 km in just 70 years.

Trek route

The trail to Gomukh begins from Gangotri, about 18 km (11.2 mi) from Gomukh. It was heavily damaged by rockslides by the 2013 North Indian Floods as was road access to Gangotri.

9 km ahead of Gangotri is Chirbasa, the abode of Chir trees. After 3 km of Chirbasa comes the dangerous Gila Pahar, the place well known for its landslides even prior to the 2013 destruction of much of the trail here; near-sheer cliffs down to the river must now be traversed. Here the Bharals, a type of mountain antelope are sometimes seen. The Bharals are found above the altitude of 10,000 ft. Only 4 km from here is Bhujbasa, the only night halting place on the way with buildings. One can stay at the GMVN Bunglow, or at the Lalbaba's Ashram or at Ram Baba's ashram; both ashram charge Rs 300 for a day that includes lodging and food. After trekking 4^1/₂km from Bhujbasa, one reaches Gomukh, the snout of the Gangotri Glacier. A little before Gomukh, the majestic view of Mt. Shivling welcomes the trekkers to the place.

On the trail no horses are allowed, so one must take preparations to walk on foot. The trek to Tapovanan and Nandanvan starts from here.

The route after 'Bhujbasa' can be quite difficult, moreso since the 2013 floods. One has to cross a boulder zone to reach the Gomukh snout. The trek beyond Gomukh is quite difficult. Crossing the glacier & going towards Tapovan has become quite dangerous nowadays (because of the landslides). There is no track and one must have a guide and should be prepared to face any type of accident which can even be a life-threatening one. The last climb to reach Tapovan is very stiff, within 2 km a climb of around 1500 foot and is quite a challenging experience.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gomukh.

v t e Hydrography of Uttarakhand Rivers Alaknanda Bhagirathi Bhilangna Darma Dhauliganga Ganges Gaula Gori Ganga Gori Gorigar Kali Lakshman Ganga Mandakini Pindar Pushpawati Ramganga Sarda Tons Yamuna Lakes Bhimtal Deoria Tal Dodital Kedartal Lakes of Kumaon hills Nainital Naukuchiatal Pannatal or Garudatal Roopkund Satopanth Tal Sattal Sri Hemkunt Sahib Dams/ Barrages Asan Barrage Bhali Dam Bhimgoda Barrage Dakpathar Barrage Ichari Dam Koteshwar Dam Maneri Dam Pashulok Barrage Ramganga Dam Tehri Dam Glaciers Gangotri Kafni Kalabaland Meola Milam Namik Panchchuli Pindari Ralam Satopanth Sona Related topics Gomukh Hydrography of surrounding areas Himachal Pradesh Uttar Pradesh Nepal

Coordinates: 30°55′36″N 79°04′51″E / 30.92678°N 79.08079°E / 30.92678; 79.08079