Hemkund Sahib Yatra Opening Date 2024
20th May - October (Exact date yet to be decided)Coinciding with the Char Dham yatra, the Hemkund Sahib yatra is open every year for 5-6 months, usually from May to October. It is the best time to visit as the weather during this time is pleasant, with a maximum temperature reaching 25 degrees Celsius. For 2019, post a 6-month winter break, Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib had opened for visitation from the 25th of May, 12 noon, through the 10th of October. The first procession, or Nagar Kirtan of pilgrims, will commence on the 24th of May to reach Hemkunt Sahib on the 25th. Food, travel, and lodging facilities are available en route.
About Hemkund Sahib Yatra Trek
Distance Covered: 19 kilometreAfter reaching Govind Ghat by a suitable means of transportation, one must undertake a 19-km trek to reach Hemkund Sahib. For old people, people with special needs, or others who don’t want to trek, ponies, palkies, and pitthus are readily available. Devotees from around the country undertake this trek on scooters, bikes, buses, or on foot. It is usually an 8-10-hour trek to reach Ghangaria, the base camp for Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib (6 km) and the Valley of Flowers (4 km).
Palkis/Ponies/Pitthus: Available
Duration: 8-10 hours
Difficulty Level: Last 2 kms to reach Ghangaria and 6 kms from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib can get challenging
Overall, the trek is not very difficult. However, the last 2 km to reach Ghangaria is relatively hard owing to the fact that it is steep. Despite the long and tiring trek, you will feel motivated to continue due to the influence of various people as companions. Another reason is the captivating beauty of the place more than makes up for it. The sight of the mountains, rivers, and the various kinds of flora and fauna that one sees along the way is a treat to the eyes, a source of calmness, and provides one with time to introspect. It is a calming experience.
The 6-km stretch to reach Hemkund Sahib from Ghangaria takes more time and is considerably more challenging and steep. Careful planning in advance is recommended for this part of the trek. Even though monsoons would give you a full spectrum of visual treats on this trek, as the flora and fauna are in full bloom during that time, the roads may not be in good condition for the trek. Despite that, the trek during that time in manageable, albeit with advance planning.
All the long hours of planning, commuting, and trekking would come to fruition upon reaching the Gurudwara, which is a sight to behold. The reward would be the hot meal (langar) served at the Gurudwara.
How to Reach
By Flight: The nearest airport to Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib is Jolly Grant near Dehradun. From there, one must reach Govind Ghat by road, 292 km from the airport. Taxis are readily available. Roads, which are well-constructed and motorable, are only connected to Govind Ghat. Post that, there is a 19-km trek to reach Hemkund Sahib.By Train: The nearest railway station to Hemkund Sahib is Rishikesh. From there, one must reach Govind Ghat by road, 273 km from the railway station on NH58. Taxis are readily available. Roads, which are well-constructed and motorable, are only connected to Govind Ghat. Post that, there is a 16-km trek to reach Hemkund Sahib.
By Road: Hemkund Sahib is well connected to 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.
One can also take a helicopter service to the holy shrine from Govind Ghat.
Religious Significance
The tenth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is believed to meditate on the banks of the Hemkund lake. According to Hindu mythology, even Rishi Medhasa of Markandeya Purana and Lakshman is said to have meditated at this place. In an interesting mythological tale, it is said that Lakshman was brought to the banks of the river after getting seriously wounded in a fight with Ravana’s son. Hanuman, an avid devotee of Lord Ram, Lakshman’s older brother, found a life-saving herb for Lakshman’s revival and recovery. When the herb showed its miracle, and Lakshman’s life was saved, it is said that flowers were showered from heaven in celebration. They fell at a place that is today known as the Valley of Flowers, a beautiful place near Hemkund Sahib.As far as the significance of Sikh history goes, the search for Shri Hemkund Sahib commenced in the late nineteenth century. The shrine has been mentioned in the Dasam Granth, a text written by the tenth Guru on his ideas and guidelines for the future of Sikhism. While the first Sikh to speculate Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s place of meditation was a writer named Bhai Santokh Singh in 1843, it was in 1884 that Pandit Tara Singh Narotam, aNirmila Scholar, was geographically able to trace its location. It was much later that Shri Hemkund Sahib started developing and became what it is today through a Sikh scholar Bhai Vir Singh.
Where to Stay
Unfortunately, there is no staying facility of hotels or lodges in Hemkund Sahib. Due to the weather conditions and lack of proper infrastructure, it is not allowed to stay inside the Gurudwara. After the holy prayers and spending time at the Gurudwara, one must leave latest by 2 PM to come down to Ghangaria to stay the night. The place has a Gurudwara and a few hotels. However, the hotels are in remote areas, and due to the lack of phone and internet connectivity, it is very difficult to book a room in those hotels. There is also a campground with tents and mattresses. Most people prefer staying at the Gurudwara.What Else to See
Spread over a stretch of 10 km and discovered in 1931, the Valley of Flowers is a worldwide tourist attraction. It is a 4-km trek from Ghangaria. A permit is required to visit and explore the place, which can be taken from the Forest Office just above Ghangaria. For foreigners, a three-day pass is INR 600, and for Indians, it is INR 150.Other interesting places to refresh and rejuvenate yourself from the fast-paced city life are Joshimath (38.7 km), Badrinath (43 km), and Auli (48.9 km).