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Sri Hemkunt Sahib | lake, interesting place, religious centre

India / Uttaranchal / Joshimath /
 lake, interesting place, religious centre

Sri Hemkunt Sahib is situated 4000 mt above sea level on the shore of "Hemkunt lake". The holy pilgrimage of Sikhs, Hemkunt Sahib, is covered with snow capped mountains, giving it a mesmerizing look. The Sapt-Sring, seven hills, have surrounded the holy shrine and the lake. 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 Sikkhism’s most important shrines. The holy site has been considered a pilgrimage long before Guru Gobind Singh ji came here. It was previously called Lokpal, meaning 'Keeper of the World'. The place has been associated with the tenth guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh. It is said that his earlier incarnations resided in Lokpal, and this was a reason that Guru Gobind Singh came here. Gobind Singh ji came for meditating and later wrote his experience about the place in his biograpy.

History of Hemkunt Sahib
Hemkunt Sahib finds mention in Bachitra Natak, autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh. But the place has been considered to be Lokpal, a place supposed to be existing from the times of Ramayana. It is said that Lokpal was the place where Sri Lakshman sat on meditation. Lokpal has been associated with Lakshman, for being his favorite place. There are many folklores that go with Lakshman and his attachment with this place. The place has also been associated with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, for Gobind Singhji also talked about Ramayana and his own association with the place in his earlier incarnations. He said that it was ordered by lord to him, about finding the place where he meditated as Dusht-Daman sage. Gobind Singh ji also wrote about his last live's experiences here.

Religious Importance
The small town of Hemkunt Sahib has a star shaped Gurudwara, dedicated to Guru Gobind Singhji, the last guru of Sikhs and his saintly teachings. The place was not established as a pilgrimage centre till 20th century, as it was a hidden from people's reach. The autobiography of Gobind Singhji has mentions of Hemkunt Sahib, but the chapter was not believed much, as there was no sign of such place. Pandit Tara Singh Narotam, a nineteenth century Nirmala scholar, was the first Sikh to trace the geographical location of Hemkunt. Later, renowned Sikh scholar, Bhai Vir Singh was instrumental in developing Hemkunt after it had been, discovered in search of the Guru's tap asthan.

Guru Gobind Singh, while on his penance here wrote about his earlier incarnations. In 'Bachitra Natak' the great Guru relates his story in the following words- "I shall now relate my own story, how God sent me into this world. I was busy performing penance on the hills of 'Hemkunt' where seven peaks are prominent. The place is called 'Sapt Shring’ where King Pandu had performed Yoga, there I practiced austerity and worshipped the god of death." There is a small lake near the Gurudwara, called Amrit Sarovar, is considered very holy and its a ritual to bath in the lake. Though the lake remains frozen for almost entire year, it doesn't stops a devout to take a dip in the freezing waters of lake, to pay homage to Gobind Singhji.

Getting There
Hemkunt Sahib is reached by trekking 19 Km from Gobind Ghat. Gobind Ghat can be reached by buses and taxis from Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun. Rishikesh is 250 Km from Gobind Ghat. Alternatively visitors can go to Joshimath (40 Km) or Gobind Ghat (20 Km)
For more info visit:
www.hemkuntsahib.com/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemkund
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   30°41'55"N   79°37'6"E

Comments

  • vicky,meerut up (guest)
    i love to come this worship place every year!as this place is the highest hieght worship place [4430 meters] in india! it is situated at the hieght more than any other mountanious shrines in india.plz visit once in ur lifetime !
  • Punjabi (guest)
    This is must visit place whether u are a sikh or not. I don't know why they say it's 19KM. I think it's more than that!
  • Ran,She Malaysia (guest)
    The journey and the sorroundings are simply amazing. A must visit place ....
  • Talvinder Singh (guest)
    Its simply heaven.... Must visit place...
  • Devinder Singh Hoshairpur (guest)
    eh asthan dasam pita ji da tapoban hai, ithe pyaar ate sharda naal darshan karn jaroor aoo, pita ji di rehmat aap te jaroor hovegi, par benti hai ke ithey pick-nic spot samj ke na aoo.
  • SomeOne (guest)
    Is there any mobile network at Shri Hemkund Sahib ji? Realy a decent place & ofcourse da highest worship place of India. I also want to visit here in future, lets c when Babaji calls. Vaheguru ji sab aane walon ki aas poori karna aur sabko safe rakhna. VAheguru da khalsa ! Vaheguru di fatah!!
  • SAMR (guest)
    Hi mera naam Sameer hai hemkund sahib ek aisa alokik place hai jise janat kehna ya swarag ka rasta kehna galat nahi hoga yahan aakar ek santi si milti hai mai to kehta hoon yahan par sabko ek naek baar jaroor aana chaiye ok friend thanks bye SAMR
  • chitwinderrediffmail.com (guest)
    This place is no less than heaven. go there once and you would feel...( I dont have any words to express the beauty of this place) you would like to go there year after year after year.... Must see at least once in lifetime.
  • bally singh from bathinda (guest)
    hi iam bally singh whin i went hemkunt sahib i forget everythink about my sad momentsbecoz this is only place where we know about our sikh religion
  • arshi (guest)
    hi iam arshi the holy SHRINE is just paradise on earth love to visit there again whenever bleesed with
  • Dalveer Singh Ludhiana (guest)
    The Good Place This Is A Jannat AND SO MUCH Beautiful
  • 2 month ago jaswant Singh (guest)
    The Good Temple
  • smartie
    Holy Place.
  • eaman (guest)
    two years ago me and my family went to visit hamkunt sahib it is really peaceful place my son was 6 and 4 years old we want to go again. jotpal and family.
  • SimranjitDhaliw
    waheguru, waheguru, waheguru,, tuhi tuhi tuhi tuhi tuhi tuhi tuhi tuhi tuhi tuhi.
  • jasmeet (guest)
    it is the true heaven.. the beauty cannot be described in words
  • charanjit from Dinanagar (guest)
    hemkund parbat hai jaha , sapat saring shobit hai taha ,waheguru !
  • manvinder-singh (guest)
    hi i m manvinder i m live in malaysia but my bourn in india.delhi i m going in hamkunt sahib 6-7 but 2years i m going so i m very sad still 2012sep go back i n india & booking my set my facebook manvinder singh khalsa my booking date 28 sep i m meet my all friend in hamkunt sahib
  • jatinder singh (guest)
    I visted sri HEMKUNT SAHIB six times now I am in Canada and hope to visit this 'heaven'this year . MUST VISIT
  • avneet (guest)
    Hemkund Sahib is really a beautiful place,a paradise on earth.
  • Jag Singh (guest)
    This is must visit place. Truly wonderful place. Waheguru.
  • Arun (guest)
    Do the people at Hemkund sahib still practice austerity and worship the god of death as Guru Gobind sahib ji
  • Jasaniharish
    This is must visit place. Truly wonderful place. Waheguru. I visit this place
  • Show all comments
This article was last modified 6 years ago