Chamoli: The sacred portals of Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district were ceremoniously reopened to devotees on 25 May, Sunday, marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage season to this revered high-altitude Sikh shrine.
Over 4,000 devotees braved the cold to take a holy dip in the glacial lake before offering prayers at the Gurudwara. The ceremonial reopening began at 10 AM with the ‘Panj Pyare’ placing the Guru Granth Sahib inside the sanctum. This was followed by the recitation of Sukhmani Sahib by Kulwant Singh and soulful Kirtan performances. The first Ardas (prayer) of the season was then offered at the shrine.
In a gesture of gratitude, the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara Trust honoured the Indian Army personnel who helped clear the snow and made the route accessible for pilgrims. Gurudwara manager Sewa Singh briefed the devotees on the Yatra route, while Trust chairman Narendrajit Bindra expressed his appreciation to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the concerned departments for their support in facilitating the pilgrimage.
It is noteworthy that the ancient Lokpal-Lakshman Temple, located near the Gurudwara, was also reopened to devotees earlier on May 23 with traditional rituals.
