Hemkund Sahib, located amidst the Himalayan mountain peaks, is believed to be the place where Guru Gobind Singh Ji meditated for several hundred years before taking birth in this world. It is said that it was here that the Eternal Being (Akal Purakh) commanded him to be born on Earth and destroy evil forces. For many centuries, no one knew about this place, but when the Sikh regiment was given the responsibility to secure this region, they discovered it and brought its significance to the attention of the Sikh community.
Today, a grand Gurdwara Sahib stands at the site, managed by the Hemkund Sahib Trust. Due to snow-covered conditions, the place is accessible only from May to October. Every year, thousands of devotees make the journey to this sacred site, yet it has still not been granted official historical recognition.
Due to the difficult route to Hemkund Sahib, pilgrims often face many challenges. To ease their journey, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the construction of a ropeway, which will greatly benefit the devotees. The Chairman of the Hemkund Sahib Trust, Narinderjit Singh Bindra, has expressed hope that thousands of devotees will visit again this year and assured strong management and arrangements.
The first group of pilgrims reached the Gurdwara Sahib on May 25. Amanjeet Singh Bakshi, who visited with his family from Delhi, praised the arrangements made by the management. He also expressed gratitude to the ITBP, SDRF, and police administration for their continuous presence and assistance in clearing snow and helping pilgrims navigate glaciers and other important parts of the trek.
The efforts of Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami have also been appreciated, especially for facilitating the swift construction of a valley bridge in place of the old Govindghat bridge damaged by landslides. The granthi (priest) serving at the Gurdwara entrusted Amanjeet Singh Bakshi with the seva (service) of building new, modern bathrooms, which he has assured will begin soon. On this occasion, he was also honored for his service.
