HEMKUND SAHIB
Set amidst towering snow-capped
mountains and lying beside a lake of pristine blue water, the Sikh shrine of Sri
Hemkunt Sahib looks, even to the not-particularly-pious, a place of almost
unbelievable beauty and peace. Seven peaks - known as the Sapt Sring- surround
the shrine, looming over lush green pastures. The lake’s rocky shores are
covered with snow through most of the year, but when the snows melt, the almost
mythical yellow-green flower known as the Brahma Kamal, the blooms amidst the
rocks. It’s a place of a rather wild and untamed beauty- and one of Sikhism’s
most important shrines.
The tenth and penultimate guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, meditated for
years in these mountains, finally leaving his earthly form and uniting with the
Almighty. The star-shaped Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib, at a height of over 4,000 mt,
is as such, a memorial to Guru Gobind Singh and a reminder of the saint’s
mission.
Every year, during the summer months, thousands of Sikh devotees from across
India and overseas complete the arduous trek up to Sri Hemkunt Sahib. As a daily
ritual, two congregational services are held at Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib, one at
10 am and the other at 1 pm. Kirtan (hymns), ardas (prayer) and the daily
hukamnama (the verse which appears at the top of the page of the Guru Granth
Sahib, when randomly opened by the granthi, and understood as God’s commandment
for the day) are integral parts of the service. Pilgrims to the shrine join in,
after having taken a dip in the holy waters of the lake. The water of the lake-
known as Amrit Sarovar- is ice cold, but doesn’t daunt the devout. Much of the
Sarovar, in fact, remains frozen till mid June.
Hemkund Sahib Tour - 6 nights / 7 days.
(Tour organised only between June and October every year).
Day 01 : Drive from Delhi for Rishikesh in the
morning, Reach Rishikesh in the afternoon, Dinner and night at Rishikesh.
Day 02 : After breakfast, drive for Joshimath,
Lunch enroute at indian restaurant. Reacj Joshimath in the eving, Dinner and
night at hotel at Joshimath.
Day 03 : After early breakfast in the morning,
drive from Joshimath for Govind Ghat. Cars/Coaches will be parked here. After
Darshan at Govindghat Gurudwara, start Trekking for Govind Dham / Ghangaria.
Dinner and night at hotel at Govind Dham.
Day 04 :
After Breakfast, start trekking for
Hemkund Sahib, after Darshan, trek back to Govind Dham, Dinner and night at
Govind Dham.
Day 05 : Morning, Trek down to Govind Ghat and
drive to Joshimath. Dinner and Night at Joshimath Hotel.
Day 06 : Morning drive further down to Rishikesh.
Dinner and Night at Rishikesh.
Day 07 :
Morning relax and walk around Rishikesh.
After an early Lunch, drive to Delhi.