Sri Hemkund Sahib

"Let the LIFE travels to Sri Hemkund Sahib"

Hemkund is sanskrit name derived from two meaning 'Hem' - Himalayas & "Kund", Bowl. Hemkund is located in the Himalayas at an elevation of over 15,000 ft (4,600 m) in Uttarakhand state of India.

In "Bachittar Natak" autobiography by the tenth Sikh Guru Guru GOBIND SINGH it is described a place deep in the Himalyas with a glacial lake and surrounded by seven peaks where in a previous incarnation, He meditated and united with the Lord is a important & popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs. It was there that Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji the tenth and last Guru of the Sikhs is reported to have meditated in his previous life In 'Bachittar 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 'Hemkund' where seven peaks are prominent. The place is called 'Sapt Shring’ where King Pandav had performed Yoga, there I practiced austerity and worshipped the god of death. He writes in his autobiography that Shri Ram son of Raja Dasrath had two sons Lava and Kushu. Lord Lava and Lord Kushu ruled over Northern India for many years.

Each year the first Sikh pilgrims arrive in May and set to work to repair the damage to the path over the harsh winter. Hemkund is inaccessible because of snow from October through April. During the rainy season even at Rishikesh the Ganges is a swollen angry river muddy from the silt it carries. The speed of the enormous amount of water will surprise anyone. Along the banks there are bathing "ghats" where one can hang on to chains while immersing in the icy water though obviously not safe for swimming.

There are several glaciers that one will see along the path. There is one that comes down directly from Hemkund. A beautiful glacier also seems to be keeping watch over the village of Gobinddham directly due east.

About 3 km from Gobinddham is the 5 km long Valley of Flowers. The Indian Government has declared this valley as a national area and all activities are now carefully regulated to preserve this valley in its pristine shape. The best months are July and August, during the rainy season. The trek to this valley is relatively easy and provides a recommended breather for a day of rest after the long trek from Gobindgaht and before the rigorous climb to Hemkund