Gopeshwar, Oct 10 (PTI) The doors of the world-famous Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib, situated at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, were closed for the winter season on Saturday.
Sikh pilgrims from across the country and abroad were present for the closing ceremony, braving inclement weather and biting cold. They participated in the final prayers of the year, officials said.
The Gurudwara’s doors had opened in May, and since then, more than 3.84 lakh pilgrims have paid their obeisance at Hemkund Sahib.
The closing process began at 10 am with the recitation of Sukhmani Sahib. Following Shabad-Kirtan (devotional hymns) and the final Ardas (prayer), the Gurudwara’s doors were closed to pilgrims at 1 pm.
Subsequently, the procession carrying the Guru Granth Sahib departed for Govindghat.
Officials from the Gurudwara management committee, along with local police and administrative officers, were present at the closing ceremony. Around 2,000 pilgrims attended the event, including a 40-member group of Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan.
Amidst the tunes of an Army band and chants of “Waheguru Ji,” the congregation of Sikh pilgrims, accompanying the Guru Granth Sahib, set out for Ghangharia along snow-covered paths.
To reach Sri Hemkund Sahib, one travels by road from Govindghat (near Badrinath) to Pulna village. From Pulna, the journey to the Gurudwara involves a trek of approximately 16 km via Bhyundar and Ghangharia.
On this occasion, Narendrajeet Singh Bindra, President of the Sri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, and Senior Manager Sardar Sewa Singh expressed their gratitude to the local police and administration for the security arrangements, alertness, and efficient management maintained during the pilgrimage.
Along with Hemkunt Sahib, the doors of the ancient Lokpal Lakshman Temple located there were also closed for the winter season. PTI DPT SHS
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