Hemkund, Uttarakhand

Hemkund is a Sanskrit name derived from Hem (“Snow”) and Kund (“bowl”). Design and construction of the present gurudwara were started in the mid-1960s, after Major General Harkirat Singh, Engineer-in-Chief, Indian Army visited the gurudwara. Major General Harkirat Singh selected Architect Siali to head the design and construction effort. Thereafter, Architect Siali luddu made annual trips to Hemkunt Sahib and organized and supervised complex construction. About 3 km from Gobinddham is the 5 km long Valley of Flowers. The Indian Government has declared this valley a national park. It is situated in Nanda Devi Bio Reserve, and all activities are carefully regulated to preserve the valley in pristine condition. The best months to visit are July and August, during the monsoons. The trek to the valley is relatively easy and is a popular second destination for pilgrims visiting Hemkund Sahib.

Dasam Granth says this is the place where Pandu Raja practiced 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.

Hemkund is inaccessible from October through April because of snowbound paths and glaciers. Sikh pilgrims arrive in May and set to work to repair the damage to the path over the winter, which is traditionally called Kar Seva (“work service”), a concept which forms an important tenet of the Sikh faith.

A gurudwara here gives shelter to pilgrims. In addition, there are a few hotels and a campground with tents and mattresses. A 1,100metre climb on a 6-kilometre of stone paved path leads to Hemkund. Overnight stay is not allowed at Hemkund Sahib and so it is necessary to leave by 2 PM to make it back to Govindghat by nightfall.

Hemkund, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

How to Reach
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By Road

Hemkund is 514 km away from Delhi, the last 15 km of which is a trekking route. DTC and UP Roadways buses ply regularly to Haridwar / Rishikesh from ISBT, Delhi. Govindghat is 20 km beyond Joshimath on the motor road to Badrinath and 4 km before Pandukeshwar, the point at which there is a diversion for Lokpal Hemkund and the Valley Of Flowers. Hemkund is 20 km from Govindghat. After crossing the Vishnu Ganga, one has to trek 9 km to reach the Bhiyundar valley. At Ghangharia, the Pushpavati River meets the Lakshman Ganga coming from Hemkund. The 7 km trek from Ghangharia to Hemkund entails a steep climb. From Rishikesh, also, buses are available for Badrinath via Govind Ghat although tourist taxies are more convenient and quicker.By Rail

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Haridwar railway station.

By Air

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun. Recently, an Indian airline company has started a helicopter service between Govindghat and Ghangria. The flight takes about 5 minutes.