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Hemkund
Sahib
Set amidst towering snow-capped mountains and lying beside a lake of pristine blue water, the Sikh shrine of Sri Hemkunt Sahib looks, even to the not-particularly-pious, a place of almost unbelievable beauty and peace. Seven peaks - known as the Sapt Sring- surround the shrine, looming over lush green pastures. The lake’s rocky shores are covered with snow through most of the year, but when the snows melt, the almost mythical yellow-green flower known as the Brahma Kamal, the `Lotus of the Gods’, blooms amidst the rocks. It’s a place of a rather wild and untamed beauty- and one of Sikhism’s most important shrines.
The tenth and penultimate guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, meditated for years in these mountains, finally leaving his earthly form and uniting with the Almighty. The star-shaped Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib, at a height of over 4,000 mt, is as such, a memorial to Guru Gobind Singh and a reminder of the saint’s mission.
Every year, during the summer months, thousands of Sikh devotees from across India and overseas complete the arduous trek up to Sri Hemkunt Sahib. As a daily ritual, two congregational services are held at Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib, one at 10 am and the other at 1 pm. Kirtan (hymns), ardas (prayer) and the daily hukamnama (the verse which appears at the top of the page of the Guru Granth Sahib, when randomly opened by the granthi, and understood as God’s commandment for the day) are integral parts of the service. Pilgrims to the shrine join in, after having taken a dip in the holy waters of the lake. The water of the lake- known as Amrit Sarovar- is ice cold, but doesn’t daunt the devout. Much of the Sarovar, in fact, remains frozen till mid June.
Hemkund Sahib Tour - 6 nights / 7 days.
(Tour organised only between June and October every year).
Day 01 : Drive from Delhi for Rishikesh in the morning, Reach Rishikesh
in the afternoon, Dinner and night at Rishikesh.
Day 02 : After breakfast, drive for Joshimath, Lunch enroute at indian
restaurant. Reacj Joshimath in the eving, Dinner and night at hotel at
Joshimath.
Day 03 : After early breakfast in the morning, drive from Joshimath
for Govind Ghat. Cars/Coaches will be parked here. After Darshan at
Govindghat Gurudwara, start Trekking for Govind Dham / Ghangaria. Dinner
and night at hotel at Govind Dham.
Day 04 : After Breakfast, start trekking for Hemkund Sahib, after
Darshan, trek back to Govind Dham, Dinner and night at Govind Dham.
Day 05 : Morning, Trek down to Govind Ghat and drive to Joshimath.
Dinner and Night at Joshimath Hotel.
Day 06 : Morning drive further down to Rishikesh. Dinner and Night at
Rishikesh.
Day 07 : Morning relax and walk around Rishikesh. After an early Lunch,
drive to Delhi.
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