The temple town of Gangotri is located just 97 km from Uttarkashi. Gangotri is believed to be the site where Ganges descended to Earth on the matted locks of Lord Shiva. The place also houses the temple of Vishwanath and Kuteti Devi.The marble built 20 feet high temple of Gangotri is around 300 years old. This temple devoted to Goddess Ganga was built in the 18th century by a Gurkha commander Amar Singh Thapa. In the 20th century, the Maharaja of Jaipur refurbished the shrine.Around 2.50 lakh Hindu pilgrims visit Gangotri temple every year. The temple opens generally in the first week of May, on the day of ‘Akshay Tirth' and shuts down on Diwali. Tourists generally visit the temple to watch the Arati ceremony.