Dehradun, March 16 The doors of Sri Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand – the gurdwara located at the highest altitude in the world – will be opened for devotees on May 23, the shrine administration said on Monday.
Narendrajit Singh Bindra, President of the Sri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, shared this information following a meeting with the state's Chief Secretary, Anand Bardhan.
During the meeting, discussions were also held regarding arrangements for the upcoming pilgrimage and facilities for the devotees.
Assuring all possible cooperation during the pilgrimage, Bardhan directed the local administration to ensure appropriate arrangements.
The trust organizes this pilgrimage in coordination with the state government and provides free accommodation and meals for pilgrims at its 'dharamshalas' (rest houses) located in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Ratuda, Joshimath, Govindghat and Ghangharia.
While 'Langar' (community meals) is served at the gurdwara itself, pilgrims are not permitted to stay overnight there due to the extreme altitude and limited facilities.
Situated at an elevation of 15,200 feet in Chamoli of the upper Garhwal Himalayan region, this Sikh pilgrimage site remains enveloped in heavy snowfall and severe cold during the winter months.
Consequently, its doors are closed every year in October and reopen the following May. Every year, hundreds of thousands of devotees visit the gurdwara to pay their obeisance.
Hemkund Sahib is revered as the site of 'tapsthali' (penance) of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.
Nestled amidst snow-capped mountain ranges, the gurdwara and Lokpal Tirth are situated near the Hemkund Sarovar.
To reach this destination, one travels by motor vehicle from Govindghat (near Badrinath) up to Pulna village, followed by a strenuous trek of approximately 17 km.
