Hemkund Sahib Yatra

Hemkund Sahib Yatra in the Himalayas holds a huge significance among Sikhs as it is an important pilgrimage destination for them. The followers of Sikhism believe that their tenth guru, Guru Govind Singh Ji used to meditate here along the banks of serene Hemkund Lake in his previous life. The Dasam Granth of Sikhs speak briefly that King Pandu used to meditate and practice Yoga here.

The name Hemkund is derived from Sanskrit in which Hem means snow and Kund means bowl. There's also a high respect held in the hearts of Hindus because the holy shine is mentioned in both the books of Ramayana and Mahabharata. According to stories and legends, it is said that Lord Lakshmana, brother of Lord Rama, meditated at this site along with Rishi Medhasa. Tourists and pilgrims visit the nearby temple of Lord Lakshmana during their Hemkund Sahib Tour. Another story says that Lord Lakshman was brought to the banks of Lokpal Lake after getting injured in the battle with Meghnath. Hanuman gave him the Sanjivani Booti for his cure and the Gods showered flowers from the sky, which later became the famous tourist spot 'Valley of Flower's.

The question always arises in the minds of devotees, how to reach this holy shrine without any hassle, below are the best ways to reach the popular Sikh shrine in the Himalayas.

• By Airways: The nearest airport to reach this region is Jolly Grant Airport. After landing one needs to hire a cab or take a bus to reach the base point and after that one needs to follow the Hemkund Sahib trekking route to reach the sacred shrine. Helicopter services are also provided to the people who find the 19 kilometre trekking route too difficult, the service is available from Govindghat to Govind Dham, also known as Ghangaria. This is the last 6 kilometres area to reach the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. The helicopter ride will take 8-10 minutes and this makes visiting Hemkund Sahib hassle free. However, the climate conditions are unpredictable in the region, so plan accordingly.
• By Railways: Rishikesh Railway Station will be the nearest railway station which is almost 270 kilometres from Govindghat on NH 58. People can also get down at Haridwar Railway Station which is almost 283 kilometres. To reach the sacred destination, private buses and taxis from Haridwar and Rishikesh are available. After reaching the nearest bus station, one has to take a 19 kilometre trek to reach the abode of Guru Granth Sahib.
• By Roadways: The motorable roads end at Govindghat, after that, there's a 19 kilometre long stretch of trekking route to reach Hemkund Sahib. Govindghat is connected to NH 58. People either opt for trekking the whole path or sit on a pony to reach the temple. From different cities, private buses are available to reach Hemkund Sahib. The buses ply from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, Srinagar, Chamoli and several other places in Uttarakhand.

While doing the Hemkund Sahib Yatra in Uttarakhand, people can travel to several other destinations. There are various places to explore nearby Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, ranging from lakes, temples and many other tourist attractions.

Hemkund Lake

The mesmerising lake located just beside the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is called Hemkund Lake. The locals of the Uttarakhand region call this the Lake Lokpal. The lake is given the title of 'Lake of Snow' and is surrounded by magnificent mountains ranging about 15,000 feet in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The glaciers of Saptarishi Peak and Hathi Parvat nourish the lake. A small stream Himaganga emerges from the lake. It is advised to the pilgrims to enter the temple first before taking a holy dip in the sacred lake.

Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers which is spread over an area of 87 square kilometres provides an unforgettable experience for the visitors. The Valley of Flowers is at an altitude of 3,600 metres above sea level and is now listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and forms one of the core zones of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. As the name suggests, Valley of Flowers is a breathtaking location which consists of 600 species of flowers like Orchids, Poppies, marigolds, Daisies, Anemones and several others. The area is surrounded by forest birch and rhododendrons; one can also get views of stunning waterfalls and rushing streams on their way to the valley. The valley is also home to wildlife species like Grey Langur, Flying squirrels, the Himalayan weasel, Black bear, Red fox, Lime Butterfly, Snow Leopard and many others.

Ghangaria

Ghangaria is the popular base camp of Chamoli district, where the two huge Pushpawati and Hemganaga meet and then flow as Lakshman Ganga. Ghangaria is the final human settlement before reaching the Valley of Flowers. Ghangaria is located at an altitude of 3,050 metres close to the popular Gurudwara, Hemkund Sahib and also features a helipad. The location can be reached after a 13 kilometre trek from Govindghat while enjoying the mesmerising views of the Himalayas. The valley gets covered in snow in the winter.

Badrinath Temple

Badrinath Dham is one of the Char Dhams that also includes Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath. Badrinath Temple also known as Badrinarayan Temple draws a large number of pilgrims every year, thus becoming one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage spots in Northern India. The temple is located at an elevation of 3,100 metres above sea level in the Garhwal Himalayas along the banks of the Alaknanda River. The sacred town lies between Nar and Narayan mountain ranges which is believed to have been established by Guru Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. Badrinath Temple stays open for six months and remains closed for the rest of the months due to heavy snowfall.

Mana

Mana Village became highly popular in the last few years as India's first village which lies along the Saraswati River. The Mana Village is located on the northern terminus of NH 7. The village lies on the Indo-China border and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Mana Village is home to Indo-Mongolian tribes called Bhotias. The tribe gets majorly involved in the cultural activities of the Badrinath Temple which includes the annual fair Matha Murthi. Badrinath Temple is only 3 kilometres away. During winter, the population of the village comes to a lower altitude as the whole area is covered in snow.

Sheshnetra

A few miles away from the Badrinath Temple lies a huge stone called Sheshnetra which has become one of the most visited tourist attractions in Uttarakhand. The rock resides on the lap of Nar Parvat and is on the opposite side of the fast flowing Alaknanda River, between two tiny seasonal lakes. The boulder is named after the famous mythological snake, Sheshnag. Many people believe that an eye can be seen formed on the rock that gives an unnatural resemblance to the Sheshnag. During the Badrinath trek, the boulder falls between the route as a tourist attraction. The site also makes a great picnic spot to relax and enjoy the views of the surroundings.

Tapt Kund

Tapt Kund is believed to be the abode of Lord Agni or the fire god and is situated very close to the Badrinath Dham and a few kilometres away from Hemkund Sahib. The Kund is a natural hot water spring that remains at 45 degree temperature and people from far off places come to take a holy dip in the Tapt Kund before entering the temple. The water at Tapt Kund comes from Garur Shila and devotees believe that by taking a dip in this holy water, they will get relieved of their sins.

Nanda Devi National Park

To enjoy the wilderness in the upper region of the Himalayas, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve which is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Site is a complete blend of flora and fauna. The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is also known as the Nanda Devi National Park and lies between the Zanskar mountain range and the Great Himalayas. The national park is spread across three districts of Uttarakhand which include Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar covering an area of over 6,407 sq km. The biosphere reserve is divided into two zones named Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flower National Park. The diversity of flora and fauna in the national park includes endangered, rare and magnificent species such as the Snow leopard, the Himalayan musk deer, the Asiatic black bear, and many other species. It is also a great location for birdwatching.