Hemkund Sahib (formerly Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Ji) is a Sikh worship area in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It had also called Hemkunt Sahib. This place is devoted to the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Sri Guru Gobind Singh. Hemkund Sahib’s Timings are from 5 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 9 pm.
Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara:
Guru Ji himself mentioned this place in his work ‘Dasam Granth’. The name ‘Hemkund Sahib’ is derived from the words ‘hem’, indicating ‘snow’ and ‘kund’, meaning ‘reservoir or pond’, meaning ‘snow reservoir’.
Because this pilgrimage site had situated amidst the snow-clad Himalayas and the ‘Kund’ water in front of it is ice cold. It is also part of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, India’s holiest pilgrimage.
What is the history of Hemkund Sahib?
According to the Temple’s history, the residents initially built it in the name of ‘Lokpal’, which means ‘Sustainer of People’. Later, Sant Sohan Singh of Tehri Garhwal discovered the present form of the Temple when the famous Sikh chronicler Bhai Santokh Singh narrated the story of ‘Dusht Daman’ and the place of worship or ‘Tapasthan’.
He visited this place in 1934 along with Baba Kartar Singh Bedi. Also, according to Pandit Tara Singh Narotham, this is one of the places King Pandu contemplated. Moreover, the Dasham Granth says that God ordered Guru Gobind Singh to be born when Guru Gobind Singh was in deep meditation at Hemkund mountain.
What is the significance of Hemkund Sahib?
This Temple is significant because it is one of the most religiously significant Sikh pilgrimage sites. According to beliefs, Rama’s younger brother Lakshmana meditated near the Hemkund lake.
Rama’s younger brother Lakshmana meditated near Hemkund Sahib lake. Tourists cannot access the site from October to April due to harsh weather conditions.
Pilgrims arrive in May and repair the winter damage on the way to Hemkund, traditionally known as ‘kar seva’ (selfless service), an important concept of Sikhism. Due to its religious significance, it becomes an important stop on the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
Festivals Celebrated at Hemkund Sahib:
Some of the festivals celebrated here are:
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti:
It is the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh. Gurudwaras conduct processions on this day. Besides, during the procession, people sing devotional songs and share sweets, soft drinks, or sharbat with adults and children.
Maghi:
Today marks the martyrdom of the “Forty Martyrs”, the forty followers who left Guru Gobind Singh. They fought and died bravely against the overwhelming Mughal army. Later Guru Gobind Singh gifted them and said they had attained ‘Mukti’ or Moksha.
Timings:
Hemkund Sahib’s Timings are from 05:00 am to 12:00 pm and 02:00 pm to 09:00 pm.
Best Time to Visit:
The best period to visit Hemkund Sahib is Summers (May to June) Post Monsoon (September – mid-October).
Hemkund Sahib Trek Overview:
About Hemkund Sahib Trek:
Hemkund Sahib Trek starts from Govindghat, which is twenty-two kilometres from Joshimath. It is at an altitude of 15201 feet above sea level and is accessible only from May to October.
Hemkund Sahib Trek is one of the moderate and easy treks in Garhwal Himalaya region. The Garhwal Himalayas are a great mountain range in the state of Uttarakhand. It is bordered by the Kumaon region to the east, Tibet to the north and Uttar Pradesh to the south.
On your trek in Garhwal Himalayas, you will see beautiful meadows, impressive Himalayan peaks like Kedarnath Gopuram, Shivling, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi and big glaciers. It offers visitors a variety of treks, from easy to strenuous.
Where to stay near Hemkund Sahib?
Some of the nearby places to stay while undertaking a trip to Char Dham are:
Hotel Haven:
The hotel provides facilities like parking and telephone. Backed by a team of experienced professionals, the property ensures that all the guests’ requirements had fulfilled promptly.
Hotel Sudarshan Palace:
Facilities like bed, bottled drinking water, access to the common balcony, and attached bathroom and toilet with hot/cold water facility are available in all 14 rooms of this two-storey accommodation.
Sri Krishna Palace Hotel:
This accommodation in Chamoli has a multi-cuisine restaurant. Guests can avail of services such as room service, medical service and laundry during their stay at the property.
Some places to visit near Hemkund Sahib:
Some of the nearby places to visit are:
Badrinath Temple:
This Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Vishnu in the Garhwal area of Uttarakhand. Alaknanda river flows next to the Temple. Devotees believe that the idol of Lord Vishnu is Swayambhu in nature.
Kedarnath Temple:
Kedarnath Temple had Located in the Garhwal Himalayan field in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. The Kedarnath Temple is one of the most prestigious and sacred Hindu temples, as it is part of the Chhota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
Hanuman Chatti:
The Temple is presided over by Lord Hanuman, and the Temple emanates its name from an impressive mythological incident involving Lord Hanuman and Bhima. Moreover, it is at the head of a very popular trekking destination.
Narsimha Temple, Joshimath:
It is an ancient temple of Narsimha, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is found in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is one of the 108 ‘Divine Lands’ of Lord Vishnu.
This Temple is a part of ‘Supt Badri’, also known as Narsingh Badri Temple. Along with Badrinath Temple and Hanuman Chatti, this Temple is part of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
Valley of Flowers:
It is an Indian National Park located in the Western Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It is an area rich in various flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species of plants and animals. The place also finds mention in Hinduism, as yogis are known to have seen the valley for meditation.
Gangotri Temple:
Gangotri Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. This Temple had located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state. It had situated at an altitude of 3,100 meters in the Himalayan Range on the banks of the Bhagirathi River.
How to reach Hemkund Sahib?
By Air:
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, is 268 km from Hemkund. It is the nearest airport.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is Rishikesh station, 189 km away.
By Road:
Buses are available from ISBT Kashmir Gate to Rishikesh. From there, one can reach Govind Ghat by road and trek up to Hemkund.
Address:
Chamoli district, Uttarakhand 249401
For any information, please visit their website.
FAQs:
Hemkund Sahib is situated on the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway. From Rishikesh, the entrance is at Govind Ghat, 332 km away. The 20 km trek from Govind Ghat ends at Hemakund Sahib.
15000 feet
Hemkund Sahib to Open on 22 May 2023
Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib helicopter service is available from Govind Ghat to Govind Dham (Ghangaria). This route is about 13 km. And the helicopter ride takes about 8 minutes. Hemakund Sahib’s helicopter seating capacity is five persons.