Hemkund Sahib

Shri Hemkund Sahib is one of the revered shrines of Sikhs which is located in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. As mentioned in the Dasam Granth, this holy shrine is dedicated to the Tenth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Nestled amidst the snow-clad mountains and pristine Hemkund Lake, the shrine offers picturesque landscapes and ethereal views. Perched at an altitude of 15,000 feet, the shrine can be accessed through road and air.

The name “Hemkund” is derived from a Sanskrit word, where ‘Hem’ means ‘Snow’ and ‘Kund’ means ‘Bowl’. As per the belief and as mentioned in the scriptures of Sikh Dasam Granth, Guru Gobind Singh Ji meditated intensely on the bank of Hemkund lake. Due to harsh weather conditions and heavy snowfall during winters, its portal closed for the pilgrimage. The shrine is open for the general public from April to October.

People from across the world visit here to seek the blessings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Portal of Hemkund Sahib opens along with the Chota Char Dham of Uttarakhand. However, the path that leads to the shrine is blocked due to snowfall but people along with the help of the government ensure to clean the road before the pilgrimage commences. The service provided by the people is usually called as “Kar Seva” means a selfless service.

Located around 20 km from Govindghat, the shrine is en route to popular heritage site Valley of flowers, making it a popular destination for trekkers and pilgrims. Govindghat, the nearest town to the site, serves as a base camp by the pilgrims to start the pilgrimage. From here, the shrine is about 9 kilometers and can be covered by trekking. However, pony services are available for pilgrims unable to walk. The town offers accommodation facilities for pilgrims where they can stay before embarking their journey. Moreover, the shelter facilities are also provided by the Gurudwara committee.

Being located at such height, pilgrims often face difficulties during the pilgrimage. Recently, a study conducted on the pilgrims of Hemkund Sahib found that one third of them are experiencing Acute Mountain Sickness. Every year, lakhs of people travel to Hemkund Sahib and many of them are at risk of developing this problem. The design and structure of Hemkund Sahib are majestic, which gives you immense happiness and forces you to behold its beauty.

Unlike other shrines offer overnight stay facilities but Shri Hemkund sahib doesn’t allow such services. Pilgrims who visited the shrine and offered their prayers need to return to base camp before dusk. Near the Gurudwara, there is a lake which is said to be the origin place of Him Ganga. Pilgrims on their pilgrimage take a holy dip in this lake and proceed to the gurdwara to seek the blessings of Guru Gobind Singh ji.

Adjacent to this lake, visitors can also find a temple which is dedicated to Lord Rama, younger brother Lakshman. There are several folklore associated with the temple's history. One stated that an injured Laxman meditated here to regain its health while other said that Sheshnag performed penance here and later he was reborn as Laxman to King Dashrath.

After completing Shri Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage, visitors can explore notable nearby attractions, including renowned valley of flowers, located 4 km away from Ghangharia village.