Hemkunt Sahib

Shri Hemkunt Sahib: Heavenly Bliss

Attain spirituality in the cool climes of The Himalayas at Shri Hemkunt Sahib which is a sacred pilgrimage site for the Sikh community. It is also spelt as Shri Hemkund Sahib, Shree Hemkunt Sahib or Sri Hemkunt Sahib. The snowclad surroundings of Shri Hemkunt Sahib are spell-binding and awe-inspiring. A moderate-intensity trek is required to reach the Gurudwara. Yet thousands of devotees take this journey and experience divine bliss at the end of it.

Shri Hemkunt Sahib is in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is considered one of the most pious and divine Gurudwaras for Sikhs. The shrine assumes immense religious significance for both Sikhs and Hindus and is a place for holy worship. Every year thousands of visitors flock to this place to seek the divine blessings of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The trek or ‘yatra’ is called Sri Hemkunt Sahib Yatra.

The belief is that Guru Gobind Singh Ji meditated at Shri Hemkunt Sahib and got enlightenment at this holy place. The immaculate and pristine Gurudwara is surrounded by the icy mountains Saptashrungi (seven peaks of the Himalayas) and its ornamental glacial lake, Hemkund Sarovar. The crystal-clear water of the lake offers a splendid and amazing view.

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Important Information

Transport

Delhi, Dehradun, Chandigarh and Haridwar are the key spots from where a large populace visits Shri Hemkunt Sahib. The nearest railway station is Rishikesh while Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun is the nearest airport.

The distance between Delhi and Gurudwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib is 520 Km. While there are no direct buses to Shree Hemkunt Sahib, the nodal stop prior to the destination is GobindGhat. From Gobindghat you need to trek to Ghangaria/Govind Dham and further to Shri Hemkunt Sahib. If you are taking the 14-hour stretch bus journey to reach GobindGhat, a night halt in Rudraprayag is advisable. Also, the government has started with a helicopter ride to Shri Hemkunt Sahib and the state government has approved a ropeway too. Pony rides are available between GobindGhat and Ghangaria and between Ghangaria to Shri Hemkunt Sahib.

Timings

During the months of ‘darshan’, Shri Hemkunt Sahib closes for the night from around 9:00 PM till 5:00 AM. It also gives a break to darshan for the 2 hours of lunchtime. You can visit the Gurudwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib between 5:00 AM and 12:00 PM or between 2:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

Best Time to Visit

Gurudwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib is open for only four months of the year – from June to September. The months between June and September are most popular for a visit to Shri Hemkunt Sahib though sometimes it may open in the month of May or close after October. The visit requires some planning. Along with acclimatisation to high altitude, the trek requires physical endurance too. You must prepare for rainfall and keep checking weather conditions frequently.

Dress Code

The dress code for Shri Hemkunt Sahib is traditional wear. Due to the cold, you may be wearing layers of clothing. After bathing, you must remove your shoes and put them in the facility available on the ground floor. You must climb to the holy area without shoes. Also, covering the head is compulsory which you must do before climbing to the prayer area.

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Things to Keep in Mind While you are in Shri Hemkunt Sahib

• Considering high altitude and low oxygen levels, pilgrims with health issues like heart and breathing problems need to seek prior medical advice before embarking on the journey to Shri Hemkunt Sahib.
• Ensure that you carry enough cash as ATM facility or digital payment services may not be available at Shri Hemkunt Sahib or around the area.
• Be polite to locals and be environmentally conscious of garbage disposal.
• Travel light, but carry lightweight woollens, energy drinks, chocolates, nuts, prescribed medicines, first aid kit, mobile battery chargers etc.
• BSNL and IDEA networks exist but with height and in hilly pockets network availability may be inconsistent. Consider opting for a post-paid connection.
• Ensure travel tickets and hotel accommodations in all the places are booked 2-3 months in advance. You should leverage available and popular tour packages, planning not only for Sri Hemkunt Sahib but also for other popular tourist destinations on the way.

Places to Visit

Rishikesh

The spiritual city of Rishikesh is less than 5 km away from Shri Hemkunt Sahib and you may plan to visit this on your way back. Considered the capital of yoga and meditation, Rishikesh sits beside the holy river Ganga and houses various ashrams and temples. There are some traffic-free, alcohol-free and vegetarian zones in the city for complete relaxation.

Dehradun

The nearest airport to Shri Hemkunt Sahib is the city of Dehradun, about 254 km away. The capital city of Uttarakhand retains an old-world charm and some colonial relics. It is also an extension of your pilgrimage. Visit the Mindrolling Monastery and Gurudwara Nanaksar besides the numerous temples in the city.

Auli

The mesmerizing place of Auli is about 42 km from Shri Hemkunt Sahib and a must-visit if you can afford the time. Auli is the skiing destination of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by the beauty of coniferous forests, Nanda Devi peak and Nar Parvat mountains, this picturesque place is a photographer’s delight.

Joshimath

About 40 km from Shri Hemkunt Sahib is the pilgrimage town of Joshimath. This is often the base for the holy trip to Badrinath. During winters, it turns into the home for Lord Badri (brought down from Badrinath Temple). Joshimath is connected to Auli by ropeway which may help you enjoy both the destinations.

Valley of Flowers

Almost 6 km from Shri Hemkunt Sahib, the Valley of Flowers will need 6-7 hours to reach. This beautiful paradise of colourful flowers is a National Park. Visit the place to witness varieties of endemic flora and delightful alpine flowers. The riot of colours is unimaginably eye-catching.

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Food & More: Local Dishes

The prasad distributed at Shri Hemkunt Sahib is Khichri (cooked lentils and rice mix) with tea. You will also get the special Gurudwara prasad – Khara Prashad – made of wheat flour, ghee and sugar. Since there are no restaurants in the remote area of Shree Hemkunt Sahib.

Paratha - These are stuffed flatbreads that are roasted with ghee and served with sides and condiments. They are stuffed with boiled potatoes, cooked vegetables or cottage cheese. You can have these as breakfast, lunch or dinner. A pickle or raita makes a great side for the parathas. You can even carry them on your trek to Shri Hemkunt Sahib.

Dubuk - This is a traditional dish that uses multiple varieties of lentils and pulses such as pigeon peas and horse gram. The stock from the boiled pulses is given a paste-like form with rice flour. The mixture is slow cooked with flavourful spices. You may find this on the way to Shri Hemkunt Sahib.

Aloo ke Gutke - This is a simple but extremely popular dish. Potatoes are fried and flavoured with chilli flakes, spices and coriander leaves. This comfort food is available as street food as well as in home kitchens. Another equally popular potato dish is ‘alu tuk’ where roundels of potatoes are boiled and spiced.

Kumaoni Raita - A yoghurt-based salad with cucumber, coriander, herbs and spices that makes an excellent side dish. It is great with rice dishes, parathas and fritters. This refreshing dish is popular among locals and very common everywhere.

What to Buy at Shri Hemkunt Sahib

The area of Shri Hemkunt Sahib is very pious and non-commercial. There are no shops. As souvenirs, you can bring back the Khara Prashad or the pataka (cloth to cover the head) that you are given in the Gurudwara. Govind Dham has a few shops to buy souvenirs from. You can buy pictures of Gurudwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib, books, toys, karas (auspicious bracelets), kangha (combs), kirpan (holy dagger), malas (beaded necklace) and many more. Don’t expect a range of goods since these places are more spiritual than commercial.