Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji Gurudwara – a spiritual Guide

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Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji is a holy pilgrimage for the Sikh community of Guru Gobind Singh Ji – ‘The Tenth Guru of Sikhs’.  Many devotees visit this place every year to embrace the blessings showered by Guru Sahib Ji. Read the full article about the devotional yatra of Sachkhand Shri Hemkund/ Hemkund Sahib Ji in full detail.

Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is situated at Shri Hemkund Sahib Marg in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is located at an elevation of 4632 meters (i.e., 15,200 ft), nestled in the seven spell-bound pinnacles of the Himalayan on the banks of serene Hemkund Glacial Lake. These peaks are adorned with a Nishan Sahib Ji on the top, depicting the importance of a Sikh sacred site. The trek of Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji begins from Govindghat or Gobind ghat.

History of Shri Hemkund Sahib

(अब मैं अपनी कहानी बखानो.

तप साधत इइह बिध मुहे आनो।

हेमकुंट पर्वत है जहाँ,

सप्त श्रृंग सोभित है तहां।

Now let me tell my story. Know this method of penance. Hemkund Parbat is where Sapt Sring is visible.)

(सप्तसृंग तेह नाम कहावा। पण्ड राज जहँ जोग कमावा।।That mountain is called Sapt Sring, where the Pandavas Practised Yoga.)

(तेह हम अधिक तपस्या साधि। महाकाल अकालका आराधना।There I was absorbed in intense tapasya on the Primal Power, the Supreme Being)

(इह बिध करत तपसया भयोदवाई ते एक रूप हवै गयो।Like this, my meditation reached its zenith and I became One with the Omnipotent Lord.)

(तत् मात मुर अलख अराहा। बहु बीध जोग सहदना सहदा ॥

My parents also meditated to get along with the Incomprehensible Lord and performed many types of disciplines for union)

(चित न भयो हमरो आवन कइह

छुपी रहे श्रुत प्रभु चमन मइः

जिओ तियो प्रभ हम को समझायो।

इम कैह कै इह लोक पठायो।

The above shabads, written by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, narrate the pristine history of Sachkhand Shri Hemkund Sahib and are beautifully mentioned in the Dasam Granth, The Religious Sikh book. 

In this verse, Guru Ji depicts the story of his early life and his relation to this sacred place where it is Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. According to Guru Ji, he has meditated on this place in the name of Omnipresent Lord – Mahakaal in his previous birth. This is the place where the Pandavas have practised yoga and Guru Ji’s parents have also performed meditation. The Gurupitah was intensively engrossed in the name of the Lord and didn’t want to take birth in the human form. But the Supreme Lord ordained has persuaded him to take incarnation and perform his duty for mankind.

Establishment of the Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara

• The Shri Hemkund Sahib was described in the Dasam Granth that was finalized in 1730, but the physical location of the shrine was not discovered before 1884 by Pandit Tara Singh Narotam. 
• His book ‘Shri Kalgidhar Chamatkar’ published by Bhai Vir Singh in 1929 contained the details of this sacred place. 
• This book was read by Granthi in the Tehri Garhwal gurudwara, retired from the Indian army, Sant Sohan Singh has motivated him to find this location.
•  In 1933, the retired Sikh set out to find Guru Ji’s Tap asthan but the search was not successful. 
• However, the following year, the indications of Sapt Sring had led him to the Lokpal place where he founded the tap asthan of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. 
• On meeting with Bhai Vir Singh, they both explored to verify if the location matches with the shabads described in Dasam Granth.
• Sant Sohan Singh Ji claimed that the place is the spot where Guru Gobind Singh Ji meditated in his previous birth. 
• Bhai Vir Ji gave Rs. 2100 to  Sant Sohan SinghJi to build the Sachkhand Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji.
• Sohan Singh started collecting funds to build the gurdwara further, asking people to perform sewa and gather materials.
• Sohan Singh met Havaldar Modan Singh from the survey department.
• In 1935, they hired a contractor and started building a 10 x 10 foot stone gurudwara which was completed in 1936.
• Before death, Sohan Singh gave the responsibility for the further development of the gurudwara to Modan Singh, which he performed dedicatedly.
• Modan Singh built tin shed structures took refuge under hollow trees from cold, and performed his duties by sacrificing his needs. Later, he died in 1960 but before that, he made a trustee of seven people.
• Struck by a dream, a Punjabi housemaker, Mata Ram Kaur, was guided by Guru Sahib Ji to offer sewa for gurudwara.
• The minute details she was able to retaliate against the trustees led to the construction of a new gurudwara in 1964 and by 1968 a new route to Gobindghat was extended.
• By 1994, the shrine was constructed with Gurbani inscriptions on the walls. 
• The gurdwara was in a lotus-shaped upside down to withstand snowfall.

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How to reach There?

Shri Hemkund Sahib Distance

By Road

• Starting from Rishikesh, Govindghat is situated on NH 58 and many buses from Uttarakhand’s towns and cities are available.
• Buses are available from Delhi ISBT Kashmere Gate to Rishikesh.

Itinerary: Delhi – Rishikesh (249.7 km) – Joshimath (247.3 km) – Govindghat (16.1 km)

• Rishikesh to Govindghat

Take a bus from Rishikesh to Joshimath. However, this route does not offer online bookings. Also, rental sumos are available for a road trip to Govindghat.

In the major places of Uttarakhand like Pauri, Haridwar, Dehradun, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, etc. take a bus or rental for Govindghat.

• Alternative, Haldwani to Joshimath

Haldwani to Joshimath: You can hire cabs.

OR

You can take a bus from Haldwani to Karnaprayag, a rental car or cab to Joshimath, or a taxi to Govindghat.

By Airways

The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, Uttarakhand is nearest to Sachkhand Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji Gurudwara. The distance from Jolly Grant Airport to Govindghat is 277.3 km by motor road. 

Helicopter Service: A helicopter service from Govindghat to Ghangaria is available for pilgrims’ comfort while travelling. Later, enjoy the trek or hire a pony to Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji Gurudwara from Ghangaria.

By Train

Rishikesh railway station which is 275 km from Govindghat is nearest.

Details of the Trek

• The trek starts from Govindghat.
• Trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10 km)
• Ghangaria, also known as Govind Dham is the point where Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji trek begins.
• From Ghangaria to Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji Gurudwara the trek distance is 6 km (Duration: 3 hours).
• The trek difficulty increases here due to weather and high altitude.
• Further, you can enjoy the trek from Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers, a national park that consists of enchanting flora species.

Shri Hemkund Sahib Weather And The ideal time to visit 

December – April: These months generally experience snow in the region, which makes the trek difficult for visitors. Temperature ranges from -10⁰C to 9⁰C.

May, June, September, October, and November: These months are pleasant and ideal for trekking to Gurudwara Sahib Ji. The route and skies are clear, and the temperature ranges from 10⁰C to 20⁰C.

July and August: Heavy rainfall makes these months unfit for trekking. The route becomes slippery and dangerous due to the rainfall.

The best times for visiting Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji are May, June, September, October, and November.

lodging Close to Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib ji

There are no accommodations in Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib Ji, so you need to leave early at times mentioned by the management. You can book nearby accommodation and stays.

Hotels and Stays

Camps

Exploring Places in Shri Hemkund Sahib

The places you can explore near Hemkund Sahib Ji are: 

• Sikh Museum at Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji
• Govind Ghat Gurudwara (13 km)
• Hemkund Lake
• Hemkund Parvat 
• Dronagiri Parvat (26 km)
• Gauri Parvat (8.3 km)
• Trek to Valley of Flowers (4 km)
• Laxman Temple (3.6 km)
• Badrinath Temple (12.6 km)
• Laxman Ganga River flows near  Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara (7.7 km)
• Villages and towns to visit: Mana Village, Auli, Ghangaria or Govind Dham, Gobind Ghat

What all you can do there?

• Do Sewa, listen to Gurbani shabads and perform prayers.
• Experience spiritual power while taking dips in the holy water of Hemkund Lake.
• Eat langars with other sangat
• Visit Sikh Museum 
• Explore the Sapt sring- the seven snow-clad peaks
• Trek to nearby excursions.
• Embrace the snow-covered meadows of the region.

Watch This Video to See the appearance of Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara

Opening Timings for Gurudwara and Entry Fees

Pro Tips for Trekkers

• Wear warm clothes, and trek shoes and cover your heads with warm caps.
• Carry trek poles and backpack.
• The backpack must contain all necessary things like food, water, medical kit, toiletries, gadgets and accessories.
• Carry rain gear and raincoats.
• Carry valid ID proofs.

Trek Permits

• Visitors must be registered at: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or Tourist Care Uttarakhand App.
• Check for validation from the authorities.
• Download the ‘Yatra Registration Letter’, if approved.
• Carry your ID proof like a driving licence, adhaar card or PAN card.

FAQs

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