About Hemkund Sahib
Hemkund Sahib at 4,329 metres is the holiest Sikh gurudwara, ensconced like an ascetic at penance in the centre of seven snow-peaked mountains (Hemkund Parbat). The word "Hemkund" means "Lake of Ice" — a glacial lake where ice slabs float even in summer. It is believed that Guru Gobind Singh Ji underwent decades of hard penance here in a previous birth as Medhas Rishi. The gurudwara shelters the Guru Granth Sahib and is sacred to both Sikhs and Hindus — Lakshman is said to have performed penance here during the Treta Yuga.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Connection
Guru Gobind Singh Ji detailed his connection to Hemkund in his autobiography, Bachitar Natak: "I was busy performing penance on the hills of Hemkunt where seven peaks are prominent. The place is called Sapt Shring where King Pandu had performed Yoga." The Guru narrated how he practised austerity and worshipped here in his previous incarnation. It is also believed that the institution of the Khalsa — the core group of the Sikh faith — and the famous Five K's (Kesh, Kangha, Kirpan, Kara, Kachha) originated from this period.
The Trek and Valley of Flowers
The 15 km uphill trek begins from Govindghat (275 km from Rishikesh) after morning prayers and halwa at the gurudwara. The first 11 km reach Ghangaria (Govindham), where gurudwaras and hotels offer overnight stay with beds and blankets. The remaining trek climbs steeply to Hemkund Sahib. The nearby Valley of Flowers (Nandan Kanan) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 87.5 sq km — hosts innumerable endangered species of flora and rare birds. Auli ski resort (10,000 ft) makes a good acclimatisation stopover.
How to Reach Hemkund Sahib
- By road: Rishikesh → Govindghat (275 km, ~18 hours from Delhi)
- By train: To Rishikesh, then bus to Govindghat
- Trek: Govindghat → Ghangaria (11 km) → Hemkund Sahib (4 km)
- Nearest airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun
Nearby Attractions
- Valley of Flowers / Nandan Kanan (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Ghangaria Gurudwara
- Auli Ski Resort (10,000 ft — acclimatisation)
- Joshimath (20 min ropeway from Auli)
- Lokpal Lake (glacial)
Char Dham Helicopter Connection
Hemkund Sahib lies near the Badrinath route, accessible from Govindghat (between Joshimath and Badrinath). Many pilgrims combine the Hemkund Sahib trek with their Char Dham yatra. Complete your helicopter pilgrimage with Saffron Chariot first, then extend to Hemkund Sahib from the Badrinath area.
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