After Delhi, we have the biggest state of India, called Uttar Pradesh. This state has since been split into two states, the second one named as Uttrakhand.
In Utrakhand state, Hemkunt Sahib attracts a very big numbers of devotees every year. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s autobiographical works ‘Bachitar Natak’ came to the notice of the devotees, it was noted that Guru has mentioned a site where he had worshiped for a long time. Pandit Tara Singh Narottam, a Nirmala scholar had also made a mention of this place as Sri Hemkunt Sahib and this assertion of Pandit Tara Singh was accepting by Bhai Vir Singh, a renowned Sikh scholar of the 20th Century. He also presented a vivid description of the site in his biography of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, titled ‘Kalgidhar Chamatkar’. However, it was Sant Sohan Singh of Tehri Garhwal, a retired Granthi from the army. Who discovered the present location and made it known to the people. A Gurdwara was setup when he visited the place accompanied by Baba Kartar Singh Bedi in 1934. Some people question the authenticity of this Gurdwara at Hemkunt Sahib, but the fact remain that despite the fact that it is a matter of research to ascertain the authenticity of literature and history behind it, it still remains one of the most visited Sikh Gurdwaras and the visitors include a good numbers of non-Sikhs including foreigners. It is undoubtedly a Gurdwara situated at the highest architude and is marked by the lake and its scenic beauty. As the travellers have to undertake a long odious journey, a number of Gurdwara have emerged on the route for the stay and spiritual appeasement of the devotees.
The Hemkunt Trust which is looking after the management of all these Gurdwaras has made laudable efforts for the spiritual benefits and physical comfort of the travellers. The spiritual journey to Hemkunt Sahib starts with Rishikesh where there is a big Gurdwara. This Gurdwara was constructed in 1964. It is situated at distance of 24 km from Haridwar as there are many pilgrimage places for Hindus and Sikhs, a number of pilgrims visit this Gurdwara and stay here. There is also a Gurmat Vidayala attached with this Gurdwara. From Rishikesh at a distance 110 km comes another Gurdwara situated in the city of Srinagar. This Gurdwara possesses two copies of handwritten Guru Granth Sahib. From Srinagar the pilgrims set out to Joshimath. There is a Gurdwara at Joshimath also. The pilgrims pay obeisance and sometime stay at night at this place. This Gurdwara was in news when the Muslims were allowed to do their Eid prayers which they
were not able to do at Gandhi Maidan due to heavy rains. It was a great show of communal amity on the part of Hemkund Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee led by S. Sewa Singh.
The next transit stop is Gurdwara Gobind Dham up to which the road traffic can move. Gurdwara Gobind Dham is located at height of 3048m. The pilgrims halt here for a night stay before heading for the final sojourn to Hemkunt Sahib. This beautiful Gurdwara had been constructed by the Hemkunt Trust for the benefit and halt of the devotees. There are a few shops, lodges and Govt. Tourist and Forest Rest Houses also around the Gurdwara. The free kitchen (Guru Ka Langar) remains open at the service of the devotees for 24 hrs. The atmosphere is so calm and peaceful that one starts feeling a blissful state of mind. The natural beauty creates a spiritual awakening and a Divine Music of word plays within one’s soul. On hearing this music the devotee finds bliss and sings the praise of God. Man forgets his worldly affairs; instead the light Hemkunt Sahib Gurdwara Gobind Dham Gurdwara Gobind Ghat of Lord sparkles from his head. Here man realizes creator and his creation. The distance between Gobind Dham and Hemkunt Sahib is about 7 kms. The climb is quite steep, but the devotees have a desire to reach the place of Tapo-asthan of Guru Gobind Singh, so they go on climbing by uttering the name of their Guru.
The path was earlier full of stones and bushes, but now the Hemkunt Trust has made the path quite smooth. Further, the natural beauty in the forest and thereafter is so amazing that one feels wonder struck and then comes before ones eyes the glimpse of Hemkunt Sahib. The Holy Sarovar in which the people take a quick dip and the lotus shape Gurdwara give a combined effect of heaven. Many devotees have felt the presence of Guru on all sides. This Gurdwara and the Gurdwaras falling on the way have become so popular that thousands of devotees from India and abroad visit the place, and there are many who have visited it more than one, rather many a times. The credit for making this journey to Hemkunt memorable and popular goes to the Hemkunt trust.
