Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib, Rishikesh

Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib is situated at a distance of 24 kilometers from Haridwar. In this place, the ‘Sikh devotees built a very beautiful ‘Gurudwara’ where langar and tea are served day and night. Here pilgrims from all sides get together. There are also many temples and ‘Dharamshalas’, so that the pilgrims, who come from remote areas, do not have to face any difficulty in getting accommodation for a night’s stay. Being a historical place there are many more important spots to see near this gurudwara.
From Rishikesh, the site is only 110 kilometers away. Some of the pilgrims also stay at Srinagar and visit important historical places. It is also said by the locals that the Gurdwara of Srinagar possesses two copies of the handwritten Guru Granth Sahib. From Srinagar, the pilgrims set out for ‘Joshi Math’. Many beautiful places come their way. Here you will see many ‘prays’ along the way, where the confluence of rivers along with the majestic Himalayas presents beautiful scenery.

Attraction

Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib is a Sikh place of worship (gurdwara) as well as a pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, India. It is devoted to Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708) who was the tenth Sikh Guru ( you can find mention in Dasam Granth). With its setting of a ‘glacial lake’ surrounded by seven mountain peaks (each of them was adorned by a Nishan Sahib on its cliff) is located in the Garhwal Himalaya at an elevation of 4,572 meters (according to the Survey of India). It is approached from Govindghat on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The main town near Govindghat is ‘Joshimath’. The elevation of the lake at Hemkund is approximately 15,000 feet above making it an attraction for tourists.
Near Rishikesh, the gurudwara is situated at the center of many tourist places. This Ashram had been serving the people for a long time. Near Swarg Ashram, there is a very beautiful place known as ‘Lakshman Jhula’. This Jhula is just a bridge across the river but the sight of the temple and bridge is eye soothing. Even it becomes difficult to leave that place easily at times. Then comes the Devprayag. This is situated at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers.

History

Long before the Sikhs devotees started frequenting ‘Sri Hemkund Sahib’, the local inhabitants of that area held the lake there with great awe as well as reverence. They have called the area around it Lokpal, i.e. sustainer of people. Along with that Hemkunt was mentioned in the autobiography of ‘Guru Gobind Singh’, its site remained in oblivion for well over two centuries.
However, the Sant, along with Havildar Baba Modan Singh, engaged a contractor and then had a ten-foot square room for the gurudwara constructed there. By installing the sacred volume of ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib’ in the room they had built, they established a gurudwara. In the year 1960, the havaldar established a seven-member trust-gurdwara ‘Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust’. The founder members of the trust were Havaldar Modan Singh, Baba Gurmukh Singh, S.Gurbaksh Singh Bindra, Colonel Joginder Singh Mann, S.Shamsher Singh, S.Raghubir Singh Kabaria, and Colonel Amar Singh. This Trust not only took over the management of Sri Hemkunt Sahib but also established gurudwaras all along the path to it -in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Joshi math, Gobind Ghat and Gobind Dham. In all these places, the Trust steadily upgraded the facilities for the increasing number of pilgrims.

Inside/Outside Views

Rishikesh, situated along the banks of the river Ganges’ is considered a holy town because of its association with the holiest river in India. This town can be termed as a pivotal point because many sacred journeys begin from here. From here, the actual traverse to Hemkunth begins. With the advent of June, pilgrims throng Rishikesh to begin their pilgrimage to Hemkunth, Badrinath as well as Kedarnath.
However, the view of this place is truly amazing as the place is surrounded by the serenity of the Himalayas as well as the Ganga. This place is a place where people say their prayers and that is why this place is full of divine aura. This is the highest Gurudwara in the world and that is why it has a majestic power. People from all over India come to visit this beauty every year.

Opening Hours

Monday 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

Tuesday 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

Wednesday 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

Thursday 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

Friday 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

Saturday 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

Sunday 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

How to Reach

By road: The famous Gurudwara is situated in Rishikesh’s Swar ashram area (Laxman Jhula Rd.). From the busy area of Rishikesh, this gurudwara is merely 3 km away. Rishikesh is well connected with other major cities of the country. And from Rishikesh, you will easily get local transport to reach the site.

By air: The closest airport, ‘Jolly Grant Airport’, is 18 kilometers away from this area which is in Dehradun. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi or Lucknow to reach Dehradun by Airport. From the airport, you can easily get local transport to reach the site.

By train: The closest railway station from this Gurudwara is only 2 km away at the ‘Rishikesh railway station’. From the station, you will get local transport.

Tips for Travellers

Prices of the rooms may vary according to the season, period, and room availability.
• Please wear suitable clothes according to both culture and season.
• Don’t forget to follow the code of conduct.
• You are visiting Rishikesh for the first time, try to visit in a group for safety purposes.

Note: The take-off point for Hemkund Sahib is the town of Govindghat (about 275 kilometers) from Rishikesh. The 9 9-kilometer trek is along a reasonably well-maintained path to the village of Ghangaria (also known as Govinddham). This path can be covered either by walk or by pony and a Gurudwara here gives shelter to pilgrims.