INDIA CROSSING THE RIVER GANGES Gangotri; the source of the Ganga (Ganges) River and seat of the goddess Ganga; is one of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. Gangotri can be reached in one day's travel from Rishikesh; Haridwar or Dehra Duhn; or in two days from Yamunotri. More popular and important than its sister site to the east; Gangotri is also accessible directly by car and bus; meaning that it sees many more pilgrims. A small village of guesthouses and restaurants serves the pilgrim community. Ritual duties are supervised by the Semwal family of pujaris. The aarti ceremony at the Gangotri is especially impressive; as is the temple; a stately affair that sits on the banks of the rushing Ganga (Ganges River). Adventurous pilgrims can make an overnight 17 km trek to Gaumukh; the actual source of the Ganga.