Chamoli: The annual pilgrimage of Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district is now in its final phase. As per the information received from Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, the portals of this revered shrine will be closed on October 10. So far, over 1.6 lakh pilgrims have visited this shrine since the portal opening ceremony held on 25 May this year.
According to the senior manager of the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, Sewa Singh, the shrine has started witnessing snowfall due to which weather is colder now in the shrine. Therefore, the portals of the shrine will be closed for the winter season on 10 October this year. In such a situation, the Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust has appealed to the pilgrims coming to Hemkund to plan on time.
More than 1.6 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine
Situated at an elevation of over 15,000 feet on the banks of a Himalayan glacial lake in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, Sri Hemkund Sahib is the highest Sikh shrine in the world. Since the pilgrimage began on May 25 this year, over 1.6 lakh pilgrims have visited the shrine. The management anticipates around 35,000 more devotees will visit in the next three weeks. Last year, approximately 2.5 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine.
Pilgrims wishing to visit this season to plan their trips accordingly
In light of this, the Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust has urged devotees to plan their visits in advance. Narinderjit Singh Bindra, president of the Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, confirmed that the shrine’s portals will close on October 10. He advised pilgrims wishing to visit this season to plan their trips accordingly. This decision was made following a joint meeting with the Uttarakhand Government and local administration officials. Currently, the weather in Uttarakhand is pleasant and favorable for the journey.
Hemkund Sahib started experiencing snowfall
Hemkund Sahib is experiencing significant snowfall, with the upper reaches covered in a thick blanket of snow, bringing down the temperature in the shrine area. This adds to the already challenging trek, making it a picturesque yet demanding journey for pilgrims.
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