Kanwar Yatra Pilgrims going near the Gangotri Glacier for a closer look at Gaumukh.

We were over 3800 meters high, walking a rugged mountain trail. The weather was cold and misty with a bit of rain in the air. But the pilgrims, some in their shorts & t-shirts, walking barefoot or just wearing chappals were undeterred by the terrain or the climate. They breezed through it all and focussing only on getting to Gaumukh ('Gau' - cow & 'Mukh - face), the terminus of the Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Bhagirathi river. One of the main tributaries of the mighty Ganges.

Ma Ganga winding her way through the hills of Uttarkashi in Northern India.

The Ganges river, still in its infancy winding through the hills of Uttarkashi in Northern India. Uttarkashi is about 150km downriver from Gangotri glacier one of the main sources of the river. From the glacier the river thunders through the hills of Uttarkashi gradually growing in size as countless streams come join her waters.  Technically here at Uttarkashi the river is not yet called the Ganges. Here it is known as Bhagirathi river.  This photo was taken outside the Sivananda Kutir ashram at Netala. The hills surrounding it contain some of the greenest and prettiest villages i've seen in all of India. It is just a quietly beautiful place, well off the tourist trail.

The winding Ganges river flowing past the Netala village in Uttarkashi

The Ganges river, still in its infancy winding through the hills of Uttarkashi in Northern India. Uttarkashi is about 150km downriver from Gangotri glacier one of the main sources of the river. From the glacier the river thunders through the hills of Uttarkashi gradually growing in size as countless streams come join her waters.  Technically here at Uttarkashi the river is not yet called the Ganges. Here it is known as Bhagirathi river.  This photo was taken outside the Sivananda Kutir ashram at Netala. The hills surrounding it contain some of the greenest and prettiest villages i've seen in all of India. It is just a quietly beautiful place, well off the tourist trail.

Curious Kids

From the Netala village on the outskirts of the Uttarkashi town. We meet these kids almost daily on our evening walks outside the Sivananda Kutir ashram.

Closeup

Taken by a friend during one of the festival ceremonies at the Sivananda kutir ashram in Uttarkashi.

Scores of people crossing the Ram Jhula bridge at Rishikesh.

Pilgrims bathing by the Bhagirathi river (a tributary of Ganges) at Gangotri town.

Never let it touch the ground.

The Kanwar pilgrims never let the water containers touch the ground. They sling the cans around their shoulders while walking and place them on makeshift stands while resting.

Kanwar yatra pilgrims walking on the road between Uttarkashi and Rishikesh.

Kanwar Yatra pilgrims pausing for a moment on the trail between Gangotri town and Gaumukh.

Kanwar Yatra pilgrims pausing for a moment on the trail between Gangotri town and Gaumukh.

Kanwar Yatra Pilgrims going near the Gangotri Glacier for a closer look at Gaumukh.