Hemkund Sahib a pilgrimage place for the Sikh community has got its name from the glacial situated right next to it is Hemkund which means the ‘Lake of Snow’. It is the highest Gurudwara, in star shape structure made of white marble and concrete being surrounded by the Garhwal mountains. Tourists and devotees from all around India visit here before the gurudwara closes for heavy winters from the month of October to April. According to the history of Hemkund, it was locally called ‘Lokpal’ meaning Sustainer of the people. It is dedicated to Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru who meditated here for almost 10 years. Hemkund Sahib has been mentioned in the Dasham Grant called ‘Bachitira Nayak’, an auto-biography of Sri Guru Govind Singh Ji himself in which he explained about his previous life and the importance of Hemkund Sahib only after which Hemkund Sahib came into the importance to the Sikh community. According to Hindu Mythology, Hemkund Sahib was known as Lokpal where Laxmana, Lord Rama’s younger brother meditated after the war to heal himself. There is ‘Lakshmana Mandir’ near Hemkund Lake a temple dedicated to Laxmana. Tourists pay a visit to this temple along with Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. The trek to Hemkund Sahib holds a beautiful path with several waterfalls, dense forests plush green mountains, a crystal clear lake, and the holy Gurudwara itself. There is nothing one can miss during the journey. The Hemkund Sahib trek is on an easy to moderate level. The trek to Hemkund Sahib starts from Govindghat which is 22 km away from Joshimath The construction of the current Gurudwara was done by Major General Harkirat Singh, Engineer-in-Chief in the Indian Army in the 1960s. The specialty is it was built with consideration of all environmental and climatic conditions.

Best Time to Visit Hemkund Sahib

Hemkund Sahib in Summers (May - June) 

Summers are the best time to visit as Hemkund Sahib opens for pilgrims and tourists when the snow melts and the weather is bearable during the trek. The weather in summers is pleasing and pleasant with cool breezes and beautiful vistas of the Himalayas. The average temperature in summers ranges from 11℃ to 23℃.

Hemkund Sahib Temperature

Hemkund Sahib in May:  Maximum  temperature of Hemkund Sahib rises up to 23℃ and minimum falls to  11℃

Hemkund Sahib in June:  Maximum  temperature of Hemkund Sahib rises up to 23℃ and minimum falls to  13℃

Hemkund Sahib in Monsoon (July-August)

August, therefore, it is suggested to not travel in this season to avoid the marshy lands and the risk of landslides. The temperature during the monsoon ranges between 13℃ to 21℃.

Hemkund Sahib Temperature

• Hemkund Sahib in July:  Maximum temperature of Hemkund Sahib rises up to 21℃ and minimum falls to  13℃
• Hemkund Sahib in August: Maximum temperature of Hemkund Sahib risesup to 20℃ and minimum falls to  13℃

Hemkund Sahib Post Monsoon (September - Mid October)

The weather post-monsoon is cold but tolerable and the trail looks beautiful after the monsoons as if painted in shades of green and is one of the best times to visit as various flora is in fullest bloom. The temperature post-monsoon remains between 8℃ to 20℃.

Hemkund Sahib Temperature

• Hemkund Sahib in September: Maximum temperature of Hemkund Sahib risesup to 20℃ and minimum falls to  12℃
• Hemkund Sahib in October:  Maximum temperature of Hemkund Sahib risesup to 19℃ and minimum falls to  08℃

Hemkund Sahib in Winters ( November to April)

Hemkund Sahib is closed for any visitors during winter as the region receives enough snowfall and the Gurudwara is coved with snow. The average temperature during this season is -2℃ to 21℃.

Hemkund Sahib Temperature

• Hemkund Sahib in November: Maximum temperature of Hemkund Sahib rises up to 17℃ and minimum falls to  05℃
• Hemkund Sahib in December: Maximum temperature of Hemkund Sahib rises up to 13℃ and minimum falls to  0℃
• Hemkund Sahib in January:  Maximum temperature of Hemkund Sahib rises up to 11℃ and minimum falls to  - 02℃
• Hemkund Sahib in February:  Maximum temperature of Hemkund Sahib rises up to 12℃ and minimum falls to  01℃
• Hemkund Sahib in March:  Maximum temperature of Hemkund Sahib rises up to 16℃ and minimum falls to  05℃
• Hemkund Sahib in April:  Maximum temperature of Hemkund Sahib rises up to 21℃ and minimum falls to 09℃