About Hemkund Sahib Trek
The Gurudwara, Hemkund Sahib is situated at a height of about 15,000 feet above sea level and the motorable road extends from Rishikesh to Srinagar, then to Joshimath and to Gobind Ghat from where the rest of the journey has to completed either on foot or by riding mules.
The road to Hemkund Sahib has on its way the Panch Prayag. After crossing Joshimath the route to Badrinath via Alaknanda is also covered. Gurudwara authorities offer food and lodging facilities to all pilgrims. One can trace their way back to stay at Gobind Dham or Gobind Ghat before sunset. The route starts from Haridwar to Joshimath. On reaching Joshimath you start your journey to trek for Ghangaria. Ghangaria is the base camp for reaching Hemkund Sahib and Valley of flowers. After the valley of flowers you finally reach the peaceful Hemkund Sahib Lake and it takes approximately four hours to reach Hemkund Gurudwara from the lake.
Hemkund Sahib Trek Route
Road Route from Delhi : Delhi – Meerut – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Rudraprayag – Joshimath – GovindGhat – Trekking (19 kms) – Hemkund Sahib
Road Route Via Haldwani Ranikhet (Kumaon Region) : Haldwani – Ranikhet – Karnaprayag – Joshimath – Govindghat
History of The Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara and Hemkund Sahib Lake
Hemkund Sahib Lake : The place was renowned as Lokpal Lake. It is named after The Hindu Lord, Vishnu. Legend says that Lakshman, brother of Lord Rama, after facing an injury came here for herbal treatment. According to another myth regarding Lakshman’s previous birth in the form of a seven headed snake where the snake, known as Sesnag, went for penances for Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu was seated on the snake in that penance.
Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara : The area of Gurudwara, as mentioned in Guru Gobind Singh’s autobiography, the tenth and final Sikh guru, has not been explored and has not been touched for nearly two centuries. Local people have greatly admired the lake and respected the surrounding area, known as “Lokpal”. It was Bhai Santokh Singh (1787-1843), a Sikh historian-poet, who with his clear thought explained and narrated the story of Dusht Daman meaning “conqueror of evil”. It is also believed that this is the place where Guru Gobind Sigh Ji meditated in his earlier life. After the concerted efforts of the Sikh community, a large gurudwara was built on the site known as the Hemkund Sahib.
Best Time to Visit Hemkund Sahib
Hemkund Sahib Opening Date 2024 : Opening date of Hemkund Sahib was announced and it opened on 22 May (Tentative) this year. Summer in Hemkund Sahib from April to mid June is pleasant and ideal for visiting the shrine revered by the Sikhs. Monsoon here arrives a little late, by the first week of July and continues to pour down till mid September.
Hemkund Closing Date 2024 : This shrine is closed annually for the winter season during which the area becomes snowbound and difficult to access. Winter in Hemkund Sahib from mid November to the end of March is severe. Sub-zero night temperature is observed during the months of January and February.
It is a pilgrimage town which is situated in the state of Uttarakhand. Check the daily weather – current temperature, rainfall, wind speed, humidity, air-quality along with hourly, weekly and 15-days weather forecast. While the weather in March will have temperatures ranging from 5 to 36 °C. The best months for visiting Hemkund Sahib are June, July, August, September, October.
Best Places to Visit During The Hemkund Sahib Trek
Joshimath : In the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, the sacred town of Joshimath is situated in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The two mighty rivers, the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga meet at the confluence of Vishnuprayag overlooking the town of Joshimath. And the view of Hathi Parvat and other Himalayan Peaks is mystifying. The town of Joshimath is also nicknamed as Jyotirmath and is the winter seat of Lord Badri, whose idol is brought down from Badrinath temple to Vasudeva temple at Joshimath. This holy town is revered by the Hindus for being an important pilgrimage centre of the country. The 8th-century Jyotirmath math or the Shri Shankaracharya monastery is manifested in the town itself.
Govindghat : Govindghat is in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state, perched at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea level. It is located on the way to Badrinath at the confluence of Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers. Govindghat is also the starting point of the trek to Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers. Govindghat is the starting point of many treks in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The world-famous Valley of Flowers trek commences from Ghangaria which can be reached from Govindghat. The holiest shrine of Badrinath is just 25 kms from Govindghat while the pilgrimage on foot to the revered Sikh shrine Hemkund Sahib at an elevation of 4,600 metres goes via Govindghat.
Ghangaria : Located in the Chamoli district, the small hamlet of Ghangaria is a popular base camp for trekkers. It is the meeting point of Pushpawati and Hemganga rivers, which then flow as Lakshman Ganga. The last human habitation on the way to the Valley of Flowers, Ghangaria is a bustling village with a popular gurudwara. You can reach Ghangaria, which is perched at an altitude of 3,050 m, via an easy trek of 13 km from Govindghat. Ghangaria also has a helipad for the ease of travellers. Ghangaria is nestled on the confluence of River Pushpawati (coming from Valley of Flowers) and River Hemganga (coming from Hemkund Sahib, also known as Lakshman Ganga).
Valley of Flowers : Valley of Flowers is nestled in the West Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, situated at a height of 3600 metres above sea level. With an opportunity to spot the very rare blue Primula, the Valley Of Flowers trek is one of the best-known treks in the world. In 1980, the Indian government created the Valley of Flowers National Park, and later in 2002, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since then it attracts trekkers from around the world. The valley is also blessed with various colours of Flowers, taking on diverse shades of colours as time advanced. Brahma Kamal is one of the most famous. Himalayan flower which can be seen in the month of July- August.
Rishikesh : Rishikesh is one of the major tourist and pilgrimage hubs in northern India, set against the backdrop of the Himalayas and with the pristine Ganga flowing through it where people from across the world arrive to offer their prayers to the holy river and in search of peace. Rishikesh is commonly referred to as the ‘yoga capital of the world’ and rightly so. The destination is abuzz with visitors, who come here to learn yoga and meditation. Rishikesh is home to numerous ashrams, some of which are internationally recognised as centres of philosophical studies, yoga and other ancient Indian traditions of wellness. The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board organises the annual International Yog Festival (IYF) here, which attracts thousands of yoga enthusiasts.
Rudraprayag : Named after Lord Shiva’s Rudra avatar (incarnation), Rudraprayag is an ancient holy town situated at the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, at a distance of 34 km from Srinagar in the Garhwal region. It is perched at an average elevation of 895 metres about 2,936 feet above sea level.. Rudraprayag marks the fourth confluence of the five between Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. Whole of Augustmuni & Ukhimath block and part of Pokhri & Karnaprayag block from Chamoli District, Part of Jakholi and Kirtinagar block from Tehri District and Part of Khirsu block from Pauri District. Shri Kedarnath Temple is at North, Madmaheshwar at East, Nagrasu at Southern East and Srinagar at extreme South. The holy Mandakini originated from Kedarnath is the main river of the district.
Karnaprayag : It is also known as ‘The City of Karna of Mahabharata’. It is famous for connecting the Garhwal region with the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand via NH 109. Adorned at an elevation of 1451 m above the sea level in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and on the confluence of river Alaknanda and the Pindari River, Karnaprayag is one of the Panch Prayag or the ‘five confluences’ of river Alaknanda. It lies in the midst of Nandprayag and Rudraprayag. Karnprayag is also known for its high altitude markets and if you are heading to Badrinath, then Karnaprayag is an ideal place to buy the necessary things.
While on a visit to the Himalayas, Swami Vivekananda also meditated here with his gurus.
How to Reach Hemkund Sahib
Hemkund Sahib by Flight/Air
The nearest airport to Hemkund Sahib is Jolly Grant near Dehradun. From there, one must reach Govind Ghat by road, which is 292-km from the airport. Taxis are easily available. Roads, which are well constructed and motorable, are only connected till Govind Ghat. Post that, there is a 19-km trek to reach Hemkund Sahib.
One can also take a helicopter service to the holy shrine from Govind Ghat.
Hemkund Sahib by Road
Hemkund Sahib is well connected till Govind Ghat, post which one must undertake a trek of around 19-km to reach the holy shrine. Buses and taxis from cities like Delhi, Punjab, and Dehradun are easily available till Govind Ghat.
Hemkund Sahib by Train
The nearest railway station to Hemkund Sahib is Rishikesh. From there, one must reach Govind Ghat by road, which is 273-km from the railway station on NH58. Taxis are easily available. Roads, which are well constructed and motorable, are only connected till Govind Ghat. Post that, there is a 16-km trek to reach Hemkund Sahib.
