Hemkund Sahib, formally known as Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Ji, is a Sikh place of worship and pilgrimage site. It is devoted to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, and finds mention in Dasam Granth, a work dictated by Guruji himself. 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 4,632 meters .
Shrine’s History
This scared Sikh shrine is situated on the shores of the Hemkund Lake at 4320mtrs from sea level. It marks the place where Guru Govind Singh, the tenth and last Guru, unified with God after prolonged meditation in his previous birth. The guru’s autobiography which contains a description of the place helped two devout Sikhs, Sant Sohan Singh and Havldar Mohan Singh to rediscover it. According to Hindu mythology, Hemkund or Lokpal as it is also known is where Lakshman had done his enhance. Hemkund is a 15km trek from Govindghat, which is the gateway to the Bhyundar or Lakshman Ganga valley. Govindghat is one of the bus routes to Badrinath. The trek from here to Hemkund takes one through forests of pine and rhododendron where wild roses, ferns and alpine flowers bloom. The surging waters of the Lakshman Ganga are also visible. The last 5km of the trek entails a steep climb from Ghangharia, which is a base for visiting Hemkund. Bits of ice still float on the waters between July and October, the best season to visit Hemkund. The rock-strewn shores of the lake are covered with moss and flowers in bloom.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The nearest Bus stop is Govindmath which is on Joshimath and Bhadrinath road
By Rail
The nearest Railway station is at Rishikesh
By Air
The nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun
Extra Information About this Shrine
Hemkunt is a Sanskrit name derived from Hem and Kund. Dasam Granth says this is the place where Pandu Raja practised Yoga. In addition, the Dasam Granth says God ordered Sikh Guru Gobind Singh to take birth while he was in deep meditation at the mount of Hemkunt.