Tapovan, Gangotri, Uttarakhand India

The most well known tapovan in India is the area above the Gangotri Glacier at the source of the Ganges, in Uttarakhand, India. At the foot of Shivling peak, a barren area at about 4,463m (14640 feet) elevation, is a seasonal home to sevaral sadhus living in caves, huts etc. and it has become a trekking destination also. The trekking usually starts from Gomukh and the trek is considered moderate to difficult. Tapovan area is base camp for several mountaineering expeditions including Shivling peak, Bhagirathi peak etc. Tapovan area is full of meadows, streams and flowering plants and the meadows are considered as one of the best high altitude meadow in India. There is also a place named Nandanvan near Tapovan, and Nandavan is also trekked by trekkers and pilgrims. Nandanvan is also a spacious meadow located at the base of Bhagirathi massiff.