Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib- Uttarkhand

Address

Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib- Chamoli district, Uttarkhand- 249401.

Diety

Guru Gobind Singh

Introduction

Hemkund Sahib (Hemkunt), formally known as Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji, is a Sikh place of worship and pilgrimage site in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India. It is devoted to Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), the tenth Sikh Guru, and finds mention in Dasam Granth. With its setting of a glacial lake surrounded by seven mountain peaks, each adorned by a Nishan Sahib on its cliff, it is according to the Survey of India located in the Himalayas at an elevation of 4,160 meters (13,650 feet). It is approached from Govindghat on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The main town near Gobindghat is Joshimath. The altitude of the lake at Hemkund is approximately 13,650 feet.

Puranic Significance

Hemkund is a Sanskrit name derived from Hem (“Snow”) and Kund (“bowl”). Dasam Granth says this is the place where Pandu Raja practiced Yoga. In addition, the Dasam Granth says that in a former life, Guru Gobind Singh meditated intensely at Hemkund on Mahakal Kalika. On the basis of the aforesaid holy composition uttered by Guru Sahib and with the Sikh Sangat’s assistance some Gursikhs (the true Sikhs) Sant Sohan Singh ji Tihri wale, Hawaldar Modan Singh ji, Bhai Vir Singh ji etc. started the research work of this holy place Hemkund Sahib. In Samvat Nanakshahi 465-66 (1933-34 A.D.) they on the dint of the Sikh Sangat’s assistance and the Guru’s kind grace were successful in reaching this holy place, Hemkund Sahib or Hemkunt Sahib. Roundabout Samvat Nanakshahi 468 (1936 A.D.) the Sikh Sangat got the Gurdwara Sahib constructed at Hemkund Sahib. The inauguration of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib ji was manifested in Samvat Nanakshahi 469 (August-Sep., 1937 A.D.)

Special Features

This beautiful gurudwara, also known as Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji, is situated at an altitude of around 4,329 m, on the bank of the pristine Hemkund (Lokpal) lake at the base of the Saptshringi glacier. One of the most revered Sikh shrines, Hemkund Sahib draws thousands of pilgrims every year. It is recorded in the holy Granth Sahib that the tenth guru of Sikhs, Guru Govind Singh, mediated by the serene banks of Hemkund lake in one of his earlier births. Surrounded by seven snow-capped peaks. It is said Lakshmana, younger brother of Lord Rama from the epic Ramayana, regained his health by meditating on the banks of Hemkund after the severe injuries he received in the war. The Lakshmana temple is said to have been built at the place where Lakshmana meditated. The gurudwara remains enveloped by snow during winter and every year, in summer, it re-opens in May for the annual pilgrimage.