PagesHemkund Sahib (also spelled Hemkunt), formally known as Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji, is a Sikh place of worship and pilgrimage site in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India. It is devoted to Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), the tenth Sikh Guru, and finds mention in Dasam Granth, a work presumed dictated by Guruji himself, but insufficiently verified, where mythological components exist in the work. With its setting of a glacial lake surrounded by seven mountain peaks, each adorned by a Nishan Sahib on its cliff, it is according to the Survey of India located in the Himalayas at an elevation of 4,160 meters (13,650 feet). It is approached from Govindghat on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The main town near Gobindghat is Joshimath. The altitude of the lake at Hemkund is approximately 13,650 feet (4,160 m).
When is the Right Time to Travel Hemkund Sahib:
Hemkund is inaccessible from October through April because of snowbound paths and glaciers. Sikh pilgrims arrive in May and set to work to repair the damage to the path over the winter, which tradition is called kar seva (“selfless service”), a concept which forms an important tenet of the Sikh faith.
The take-off point for Hemkund Sahib is the town of Govindghat, about 275 kilometres (171 mi) from Rishikesh. The 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) trek is along a reasonably well-maintained path to the village of Ghangaria (also called Govinddham). This path can be covered either by walk or by pony and a Gurudwara here gives shelter to pilgrims. In addition, there are a few hotels and a campground with tents and mattresses. A 1,100-metre (3,600 ft)climb on a 6-kilometre (3.7 mi) of stone paved path leads to Hemkund. Overnight stay is not allowed at Hemkund Sahib, so it is necessary to leave by 2 PM to make it back to Govindghat by dusk.
HEMKUND LAKE IN HEMKUND SAHIB
The circumference of the Hemkund Lake is 2km. This place is dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh Ji the tenth Sikh Guru. The name of this holy place is mentioned in Dasam Granth, a work dictated by Guruji himself. Devotees who visit Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara take a holy dip in this lake before paying obeisance at the shrine. Every year thousands of pilgrims visit this place from different parts of the world.
How to Reach Hemkund Lake :
Hemkund Sahib and Lake is easily accessible from Ghangaria a scenic hamlet, situated at a distance of 13 km from Govan Ghats. This place is about 13km from Govan Ghats en route Rishikesh Badrinath Highway. The best time to visit this place is in the summer months, precisely between June to October.
From Delhi, tourists take the train to Haridwar and then travel by bus to Govindghat via Rishikesh. It is also possible to drive from Delhi to Govindghat, a distance of about 500 kilometres (310 mi) which takes around 18 hours to cover. Recently, an Indian airline company has started a helicopter service between Govindghat and Ghangria. The flight takes about 5 minutes
Hemkund Sahib is famous as Adventure, Pilgrimage, Hot Destination, Trekking, Gurudwara, Religious, with over 3 Places to See in Hemkund Sahib. Nearest Airport from Hemkund Sahib is Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun, 292 kms and Nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh, 273 kms.
By Air
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport
By Train
Nearest railway station: Rishikesh Railway Station
By Road
You can reach Govindghat via Rishikesh or Haridwar by bus or taxi.
Recent helicopter service started between Govindghat and Gangaria
A recent study examining altitude sickness at Hemkund Sahib found that almost one-third of pilgrims who travelled to Hemkund suffered from Acute Mountain Sickness (a form of altitude sickness). As approximately 150,000 pilgrims are believed to travel to Hemkund Sahib each trekking season, almost 50,000 people are at risk of developing Acute Mountain Sickness each year. The authors stated the difficult nature of the trek, limited water consumption, and lack of awareness regarding altitude sickness as the main contributory factors.
Hemkund Sahib Trek Guide
Trek Distance & Route
The Hemkund Sahib trek is considered moderate to difficult due to its steep climb and high altitude.
- Govindghat to Ghangaria: ~13 km (trek or pony)
- Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib: ~6 km steep trek
Trek Highlights
- Scenic waterfalls and forests
- Rare Himalayan flowers like Brahma Kamal
- Snow-covered peaks year-round
A pilot study on the prevalence of Acute Altitude Sickness
Hemkund be a Sikh temple settled within the Garhwal Mountains of Uttarakhand in north Bharat. it’s a well-liked journey web site for Sikhs situated at Associate in Nursing altitude of four,330 m. Between the months of June and October annually this remote region of Uttarakhand becomes inhabited by over a hundred and fifty,000 pilgrims;[3] most of whom travel from the plains of geographical area and a minority of whom travel from overseas.
To reach Hemkund European, pilgrims should drive to the city of Govindghat (altitude one,830 m) from wherever they have to debark and walk fourteen kilometre, ascending one,220 m to the city of Ghangharia (altitude three,050 m), additionally referred to as Govan Dham. Typically, pilgrims can rest here for one night before continued the onward journey to Hemkund early consequent morning. Some pilgrims, however, like better to hike directly from Govindghat, ascending two,500 m in an exceedingly single day. The journey from Ghangharia to Hemkund is physically tightened, ascending one,280 m over a path distance of seven kilometre. nightlong accommodation at Hemkund European isn’t potential and, therefore, pilgrims solely keep for about 2-4 hours before returning to either Ghangharia or on to Govindghat.
For the bulk of pilgrims, the journey are one in every of the foremost physically tightened challenges of their lives. The journey to Hemkund can have them ascend two,500 m to a most altitude of four,330 m in barely one or two days. what is more, additionally to the fast ascent and tough hike, several pilgrims are inadequately ready for the climb and also the effects of drive at the upper altitudes. the majority of the pilgrims that return to Hemkund are from Punjab and are, therefore, not acquainted with hiking in mountainous tract.
Given the temple’s high altitude, the physically tightened trek from Ghangharia to Hemkund, the 1-2 day, 2,500 m ascent from Govindghat to Hemkund, and also the general lack of state and information concerning Acute altitude sickness (AMS) amongst pilgrims, it’d be expected that the prevalence of AMS within the region be high. Indeed, anecdotal reports from travellers at Hemkund European have discovered many folks with symptoms implicational AMS, like severe light-headedness, headache, and fatigue. to the current date, however, no systematic study on the prevalence of AMS has been conducted at this well-liked journey. during this pilot study, we, therefore, conducted a little study on the prevalence of AMS at Hemkund and determined however larger future studies examining AMS may be conducted within the region.
