DEHRADUN: Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmeet Singh and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Hemkunt Sahib Yatra from Rishikesh on Thursday. The procession, led by the revered Panj Pyaras, marked the ceremonial beginning of this year’s pilgrimage.
Congratulating the devotees, both the Governor and the Chief Minister extended their best wishes for a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey. The Governor described the Yatra as a profound symbol of devotion and faith. He noted that the 18-kilometer trek to the sacred site, located at an altitude of 15,000 feet, tests the endurance, courage, and spiritual strength of every pilgrim.
Reflecting on the legacy of the Sikh Gurus, the Governor emphasized the values of self-respect, courage, sacrifice, hard work, and service as the core principles of Sikhism. Quoting Guru Gobind Singh, he urged devotees to draw inspiration from the words, “Nishchay Kar Apni Jeet Karoon” (With determination, I will be victorious).
He lauded the efforts made by the government, the Gurudwara Management Committee, and the administration to make the Yatra safer and more accessible. He also encouraged pilgrims to support the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign by purchasing local products and to help maintain a plastic-free environment.
The Chief Minister highlighted Hemkunt Sahib as a confluence of Uttarakhand’s spiritual, cultural, and religious heritage. “Despite challenging terrain and climate, thousands undertake this pilgrimage every year,” he said. “This sacred site continues to radiate divine energy, bringing peace and renewed spiritual consciousness to all who visit.”
CM Dhami shared that over 60,000 devotees have registered for the Hemkunt Sahib Yatra this year, while registrations for the Char Dham Yatra have surpassed 30 lakh. He detailed recent infrastructure improvements including a valley bridge at Govindghat, with plans for a permanent bridge soon. Other amenities such as railings, signboards, medical camps, and arrangements for drinking and hot water have also been made to facilitate the pilgrims.
During the event, an upgraded version of the AI-powered chatbot “Eternal Guru” was unveiled. Developed by Uttarakhand Technical University in collaboration with the Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, the chatbot leverages Gurbani to offer spiritual insights and teachings from the Guru Granth Sahib through advanced technology.
Chairman of the Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, Narendrajit Singh Bindra, welcomed attendees and wished all pilgrims a successful and meaningful Yatra.
Prominent dignitaries present at the ceremony included Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, MLAs Premchand Agarwal and Renu Bisht, Parmarth Niketan Chairman Swami Chidananda Saraswati, Nirmal Ashram Chairman Jot Singh, Nirmal Akhara Head Srimant Gyan Dev Maharaj, Technical University Vice Chancellor Prof. Omkar Singh, and Sanskrit University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dinesh Chandra Shastri, among others.
