Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara Is Currently A Winter Wonderland

At an elevation of more than 15,000 feet above sea level, Hemkund Sahib is located in the Uttarakhand district of Chamoli, close to Joshimath. The holy shrine was named after the glacial lake that is close by, Hemkund, which means “Lake of Snow.” And with new snow covering the holy place, it really is a lake of snow at the moment. There is 12 to 15 feet of new snow covering the Gurudwara, and there is also a heavy layer of snow covering the nearby lake.

This year in May, the renowned pilgrimage to the Gurudwara is expected to begin. It’s around two kilometers distant from Hemkund Sahib to create a passage through heavy snow on the Atalkuti Glacier. To make it easier for devotees to travel, the Indian Army has historically taken on the vital duty of clearing the snow.

The Army was supposed to start establishing their base camp in the Ghagaria Gurudwara complex on April 15 of this year, according to the original plans made by the Hemkund Gurudwara Trust. They would have then started clearing snow from the Atalkuti Glacier every day. However, the Trust asked for and was granted a little postponement because of the April 19 Lok Sabha elections in Uttarakhand. According to ANI, the snow removal effort will now start on April 20.

Why Is Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib Important?
Because it is associated with the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), and is referenced in the Dasam Granth, this pilgrimage destination is significant to Sikhs. Folklore holds that in a past incarnation as a recluse, Guru Gobind Singh is said to have meditated here. It is also connected to the legend of Bhai Gurdas, the devout Sikh who told Guru Gobind Singh about the location after discovering it during his meditation.

2024’s Hemkund Sahib Yatra
The Hemkunt Sahib Gurudwara Trust has declared the dates for the opening and shutting of the shrine’s doors, and they state that the yearly spiritual yatra to the Hemkund Sahib will begin on May 25th, 2024. Hemkund Sahib, a highly esteemed Sikh pilgrimage place in Uttarakhand, is tucked away between the towering Himalayan hills. It offers stunning landscape and an opportunity to commune with your inner self.

While here, you may also pay a visit to a modest temple next to the banks of Hemkund Lake that honors Lakshman, the brother of Lord Ram. Thousands of worshippers visit the shrine each year out of respect. Additionally, traveling to this holy location is a difficult but worthwhile experience.

After arriving at Govind Ghat, hikers may continue 19 kilometers to Hemkund Sahib. If hiking isn’t something you can do, there are easy alternatives like pitthus, horses, and palkies. It normally takes eight to ten hours to hike to Ghangaria (Gobind Dham), the Valley of Flowers, and the base camp for Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib. The hike to Hemkund Sahib is around 7 kilometers from Ghangaria. The route meanders past cascading rivers and gorgeous valleys until arriving at the tranquil Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, where pilgrims take a dip in the sacred Hemkund Lake.