Gartang Gali: A Majestic Wood-Lined Stairway near the Indo-China Border
According to the Puranas, Sage Markandeya was cursed with a short span of life and hence was meditating on Lord Vishwanath at the very spot the Markandeya temple stands today within the temple complex. When Lord Yamaraja came to take him away, Sage Markandeya went and embraced Lord Vishwanath tightly and in this affection for Lord Vishwanath, Sage Markandeya was protected with along life and Yamaraja was sent away. Since Sage Markandeya was destined to live only till 16 years of age, Lord Shiva blessed him to be eternally young like a sixteen year old boy. Yamaraja threw his gauntlet at Sage Markandeya to capture and take him away but Sage Markandeya’s tight embrace of the Shiva Linga of Lord Vishwanath along with the force of the gauntlet pull by Yamaraja tilted the Shiva Linga towards the southern direction.
The Shiva Linga of Lord Vishwanath was installed by Lord Parashurama. The present temple was constructed by Queen of Tehri — Khaneti Devi, the wife of Sudarshan Shah in the year 1857 AD. The stone temple is built in the Katyuri style and sits on a rock foundation which is a depiction of the local Himalayan architecture.
Just 12 kilometres before the Shrine of Gangotri and Near Lanka Bridge stands the entrance of Gartang Gali. Gartang Gali, a 136-meter-long wood-lined stairway, is a breathtaking creation believed to have been constructed for Indo-China Trade.
Historically - Dating back 150 years, Gartang Gali holds a significant place in the region's history. It is believed that the Peshawari Pathans, renowned for their expertise in construction, took up the challenge of sculpting the granite to create this extraordinary stairway. Their labor of love has withstood the test of time, attracting visitors who are eager to witness this historic marvel firsthand.
