Gomukh

Gomukh, also known as "Gaumukh" or "Gomukhi" (Hindi: गौमुख or गौमुखी ; Assamese and Bengali: গোমুখ or গোমুখী), is the terminus or pout of the Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Bhagirathi River, one of the primary headstreams of the Ganges River. The place is situated at a height of 13,200 ft (4,023 m) in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the largest in the Himalayas with an estimated volume of over 27 cubic kilometers. It is a holy Hindu pilgrimage site, along with Gangotri, as well as trekking destination. [1][2] On 26 July 2016, following heavy rains in Uttarakhand, it was reported that the front end of Gomukh was no more, as a large chunk of the glacier had collapsed and was washed away. In 2013, due to cloud burst in Uttarakhand, huge cracks had emerged on the glacier.

Gomukh, "Mouth of a Cow", the pout of the glacier along the river

The word "Gomukh/Gaumukh" (go/gau=cow, mukh= mouth) literally means "Mouth of a Cow." Before the heavy rains in year 2016, the opening of the cave looked exactly like the "Mouth of a Cow."

In 1972,Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam the then Prime Minister of Mauritius,brought the holy Ganga water from Gomukh and mixed it with the water of Grand Bassin in Mauritius and renamed it as Ganga Talao for the Mauritian Hindus.[3]

In ancient times
A small shrine at Gaumukh, Gangotri glacier.

Gomukh is mentioned in the Puranas. It is said there that, searching a lost sheep, a 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 holy saints, sages, sadhus, hermits, adventure seekers, as well as religious people and adventure seekers also went there to worship the place. It is also rumored that, if anyone visits Gomukh / Gawmukh with evil intentions or polluted body or mind, his ancestors fall in Burning Hell and that person experiences grave horrors and deep melancholy surrounds him.

Geography
Gomukh, terminus of the Gangotri glacier. The Bhagirathi peaks rise in the background.

Gomukh is 18 km from Gangotri in the foothills 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 boulders 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 first and foremost thing for Gomukh trek is that you must have permission from (D.F.O.) District forest officer, Uttarkashi. Only 150 permits are issued per day, permission can be taken via fax also.[4] 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 Bungalow, or at the Lalbaba's Ashram or at Ram Baba's ashram; both ashram charge Rs 350 for a day that includes lodging and food. After trekking 41/2km 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 Tapovan and Nandanvan starts from here.

Snout point of Gongotri Glacier, Gomukh

The route after 'Bhojbasa' can be quite difficult, more so 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.

You may apply for an online permit at http://www.swsuttarkashi.com/Home/DashBoard , even with an online permit you would still need to get it verified at the district magistrate uttrakasi office

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References
  1. S. S. L. Malhotra (1983). Gangotri and Gaumukh: a trek to the holy source. Allied Publishers. p. 139.
  2. Harshwanti Bisht (1994). Tourism in Garhwal Himalaya: With Special Reference to Mountaineering and Trekking in Uttarkashi and Chamoli Districts. Indus Publishing. pp. 83–. ISBN 978-81-7387-006-4.
  3. "How a lake became the sacred Ganga Talao". Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  4. "Gangotri and Gomukh - D Shiv Prasad Blog". D Shiv Prasad Blog. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2016.

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