Chamoli: The sacred doors of Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib were opened for devotees on May 25, marking the start of this year’s spiritual pilgrimage to the revered Sikh shrine. Nestled at an altitude of over 15,000 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas, Hemkund Sahib draws thousands of devotees from across India and abroad every year.
The day began with the first Hukamnama of Guru Maharaj and the year’s inaugural Ardas. At dawn, the first batch of Sikh pilgrims, led by the Panj Pyare, reached the shrine. Following centuries-old traditions, the doors of the gurudwara were ceremoniously opened amid devotional chants and the echo of Shabad Kirtan. Around 3,000 devotees were present to witness this deeply spiritual moment.
The Gurudwara Committee, along with the local administration, has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe yatra. The shrine has been beautifully decorated with around seven quintals of flowers, creating a divine atmosphere for pilgrims. Despite the summer opening, snow still blankets the surrounding landscape, adding to the serene beauty of the holy site.
There is a strong sense of devotion and enthusiasm among the Sikh community for this sacred journey. So far, nearly 75,000 devotees have registered online for the yatra, and registrations are still ongoing.
The first group of pilgrims had set out from Govindghat Gurudwara on Saturday, led by the Panj Pyare, with chants of “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal” filling the air. Accompanied by police security and the sound of ceremonial band music, the group made their way to Ghangaria, where they spent the night at the gurudwara before proceeding to Hemkund Sahib.
