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Behold the rise of faith to the skies at the highest Gurudwara on earth
Located at an elevation of 4,329 meters above sea level, the pilgrimage site of Shri Hemkund Sahib in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand is spiritually significant for both Sikhs and Hindus. Nestled amidst a beautiful picturesque setting and surreal vibes, it welcomes devouts from all segments of the world except the months it is inaccessible due to the glaciers and the paths that are wrapped in snow. A star shaped Gurudwara near the lake and a temple dedicated to the mythological hero Lakshman rests in the centre of the region, which lures the worshippers who are able to rejuvenate and refresh their minds, bodies and soul.
Cuddled up in the midst of icy glaciers and seven mountains that are covered with a blanket of snow, its beauty is beyond what anyone has ever dreamt of. Known as the Hemkund Parvat, these snow-capped peaks makes this highly revered site worth exploring. Dreamy mountains, endless skies, gushing waterfalls, emerald lakes and beautifully serene vibes are good enough to compensate for the tension-ridden life we all are living.
The beautiful journey in the form of a surreal trek towards Hemkund Sahib is one that will blow your mind away. The route is not just interesting and fascinating but one that will knock your socks off due to the sheer magnificence of the surroundings. You can start a 14 km trek from Govind Ghat to Ghangharia which is the base camp for reaching Hemkund Sahib and Valley of flowers. From Ghangharia, a challenging yet splendid trek of 6 km will lead you to Hemkund Sahib. The visually pleasing and mentally refreshing trek is capable of hypnotizing you into a state of pure bliss. The perfectly textured mountains, the beautifully swift and clear Pushpawati river and the opportunity to find yourself in the midst of this beauty, makes this trek one of the finest experiences of your life. On the way you can witness the magnificence of the Valley of Flowers before ending up on the ultimate destination. The Hemkund Sahib Lake and Gurudwara will take you to the world of solace, admiration and tranquillity. You ought to experience this unreal beauty of the natural setting and the breathtakingly compelling vibes once in your lifetime.
The Gurudwara at Hemkund is uniquely pleasing to look at. Being the only Gurudwara at a height of 15,210 ft, its architectural design is done keeping in mind the climatic conditions, making it the only pentagonal Gurudwara in the world. You’ll be startled to discover the specifics and details that went behind the excellent construction of a design that harmonized not just the harsh climatic conditions but also the religious values. The spectacle that we see today is a result of Sant Sohan Singh’s dedication of finding the place where The Guru had meditated in his previous life. He found the holy Lake and was determined to build a memorial right beside it. What was initiated as a ten by ten foot stone Gurudwara is now transformed into a Gurudwara at the highest altitude in the world. It stands as an unparalleled architectural marvel that knits religion, spirituality and splendour together in the most impeccable way possible.
The beauty of the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara and Lake perfectly aligns with the beautiful story behind it. As mentioned in his Biography, Sikh’s Tenth Guru did intense meditation and austerities in his previous life until he merged with God. Because his earthly parents had served God, Guru was born to them and he was then commanded to carry out the mission to teach the true religion and rid people of all the negatives and evil ways. The Sikhs however desired to pay their respect to the Guru by erecting shrines to honour the places consecrated by his penance. Since the twentieth century, it has become a highly revered site of pilgrimage. The Valley of Flowers is another reason behind the popularity of Hemkund Sahib. You will be surprised to discover how this beautiful valley came into being. According to history, when Lord Lakshman was left injured after Megnath’s deception, it was here that Shri Hanuman brought Sanjivani Butti to help him regain health. When he was finally able to regain soundness, God showered flowers from heaven which formed the marvellous Valley of flowers. The highly revered site is also the location where the father of Pandavas practiced yoga.
The Valley of Flowers, The Hemkund Gurudwara and The Lake makes Hemkund Sahib a highly visited site by devotees from around the world. A site so beautiful with spirituality at its peak makes Hemkund Sahib special and unreal at the same time. You would not just be left overwhelmed with the beauty and magic that resides here but you would also experience earthly paradise, magical enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck owing to the feelings of pure passion and reverence.