Gangotri (గంగోత్రి)
Today: Gangotri, Uttarakhand
High in the icy Himalaya is Gangotri, honored as the place where the Ganga begins - a small, freezing, crystal-clear stream that will grow into the mightiest river of all. This is where the story of Bhagiratha comes home: the prince who prayed for years until Ganga agreed to descend from heaven, and Shiva caught her crashing waters in his hair so the earth would not shatter. When you see the little river here, remember that one determined person's patience brought her down for everyone.