About Hemkund Sahib / Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib

Hemkund Sahib a pilgrimage place for the Sikh community has got its name from the glacial situated right next to it is Hemkund Lake 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.

How To Reach Hemkund Sahib

Hemkund Sahib By Air  

The nearest airport for Hemkund Sahib is Jolly Grant Airport (DED) and further taxis till Govindghat. Govindghat is 292 km from the nearest airport for Hemkund Sahib way from Jolly Grant Airport, daily flights are easily available from Delhi and other major cities of India for Jolly Grant Airport.  Flights of Air Asia, Indigo, Go First, Vistara, and Spicejet are frequently available from all major cities of India.
There are facilities for Helicopter rides for Hemkund Sahib are available from Sgastrradhara Helipad in Dehradun to Ghangaria Helipad covering the journey in only an hour.

Hemkund Sahib By Train

The nearest railway station for Hemkund Sahib is Rishikesh 273 km away from Govindghat via NH58 and a 19 km trek to Hemkund Sahib. Rishikesh Railway station is well connected with various cities of India. Total 15 trains run from Delhi to Rishikesh. Another nearest railway station for Hemkund Sahib is Haridwar JN 305 km away from Hemkund Sahib.

Trains from Delhi to Rishikesh and Haridwar:

• Yoga Express
• Kalinga Utkal Express
• Udaipur City - Yog Nagari Rishikesh Express
• Kochuveli - Yog Nagari Rishikesh Express
• New Delhi - Dehradun Shatabdi Express
• Mussoorie Express

Train from Mumbai to Rishikesh and Haridwar:

• Kochuveli - Yog Nagari Rishikesh Express
• Bandra Terminus - Haridwar Express
• Mumbai LTT- Haridwar Express
• Nanda Devi AC SF 

Train from Chandigarh to Rishikesh and Haridwar:

• Hemkund Express
• Netaji Express

Hemkund Sahib By Road

The motorable routes are only up to Govindghat which is well connected to major cities of Uttarakhand. Since Govindghat is located on the National Highway 58 it is easy to reach. Busses are easily available to Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmiri Gate and Taxis to Govindghat from Rishikesh, Chamoli, Srinagar, Pauri, Haridwar, and other major cities of Uttarakhand. The total distance of Hemkund Sahib from Delhi is 524 km via NH07. Delhi to Hemkund Sahib by road passes through Meerut, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, Joshimath, Govindghat, and trek of 19km till Hemkund Sahib.  

• Distance from Dehradun to Hemkund Sahib is 330km via NH07.
• Distance from Chandigarh to Hemkund Sahib is 493 km.

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