Hemkund Sahib

Day 6 (18th August): We started at 4.30 for Hemkund. It was a continuous steep climb. Luckily the sky was clear, and the mountain provided us shade. The path was full of flowers, and we started seeing the snow-clad peak of Mount Kamet after sometime. We also started seeing bramha kamals and blue poppies.

The guide and trek leader were so encouraging and supportive throughout. As we ascended, we struggled to keep our pace and the climb did get difficult but what kept us going were the people around, our fellow trekkers, it was so inspiring and motivating to see some old people climb so steadily. You can see the Brahmakamal flower beside the pathway. The 7 km trek took us 4-5 hrs to reach Hemkund Sahib. The weather was so foggy that we could see anything ahead. We went to the Gurudwara to seek the blessings and had the delicious kadha prashad. The mirror like glacial lake Hemkund is magic. There is Laxman temple beside the lake. We then trekked down and reached Ghangaria in the evening and rested.

1. Hemkunt SahibSri Hemkunt Sahib is a sacred pilgrimage spot, revered by thousands of Sikhs every year. Literally meaning Lake of Snow, in the heart of snow-capped mountains at an altitude of 4329 m, above sea level is a shrine known as Gurudwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib and can be reached by trekking through the path of several waterfalls.

હેમકુંડ સાહેબ શીખોનું એક ધાર્મિક સ્થળ છે. સમુદ્રસપાટીથી આશરે 4632 ફેટની ઊંચાઈ પર આવેલા આ સ્થળને 7 પર્વતમાળા દ્વારા ઘેરાયેલું છે. શીખોના 10 માં ગુરુ ગોવિંદ સિંઘે અહીં તપસ્યા કરી હતી. આ એક ખૂબ જ પવિત્ર ગુરુદ્વારા છે અને અહીં નજીકમાં આવેલા કુંડમાં ઘણા શ્રધ્ધાળુઓ સ્નાન કરે છે. ઓકટોબરથી એપ્રિલ દરમિયાન ભારે હિમવર્ષાને કારણએ ઘણી વર અહીંના રસ્તાઓ બંધ રહે છે.