Hemkund Sahib – Highest Gurudwara in the World

Nestled amid the Himalayan Ranges, Sri Hemkund Sahib is a sacred pilgrimage revered by thousands of Sikhs every year. Literally meaning ‘Lake of Snow’, this holy pilgrimage site is perched at an altitude of 4329 m above the sea level and lies in the backdrop of snow – clad mountains. This place of worship and pilgrimage site is in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India. It is approached from Gobindghat on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The main town near Gobindghat is Joshimath.

The shrine is also known as Gurudwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib and can be reached by trekking through numerous waterfalls, thick forest and captivating views of the Himalayas. The gurudwara is open only for a few months and closes down during the extreme winter months. Visited by a myriad of devotees from all around the globe, it accounts for the highest Gurudwara of the Sikh community.

A Hindu shrine dedicated to mythological hero Lakshmana is attractive for Hindu Pilgrims. This temple is built on the banks of Hemkund. Design and construction of the present gurudwara was started in the mid-1960s, after Major General Harkirat Singh, Engineer-in-Chief, Indian Army visited the gurudwara.

Hemkund Sahib is nestled amidst seven snow capped peaks and marvelous snowy glaciers. The nature is reflected here with all its mighty appearance in the crystal clear alluring water. Hemkund lake is fed by the glaciers from majestic peaks known as Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi peaks. A small stream known as Himganga originates from this imposing lake.

It is recorded in the holy Granth Sahib that the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Govind Singh meditated on the serene banks of Hemkund in one of his earlier births. Guru Govind Singh is believed to be the Guru who founded all present characteristics of Sikhism. The Gurudwara of the Sikhs on the banks of Hemkund is located at the place where Guru had meditated. Huge flocks of Sikh pilgrims pay their visit to this Gurudwara every year.