Hemkunt Sahib portals open

JOSHIMATH (CHAMOLI): Portals of Hemkunt Sahib Gurudwara in the Garhwal Himalayas opened on Thursday for pilgrims.

The Hemkunt Sahib is situated at 14,500 feet above the sea level.

The popular centre of Sikh pilgrimage in Uttarakhand remains open for public for six months every summer. During opening of the portals, more than 3,000 Sikh and Hindu devotees were present.Led by Mukhya Granthi (head priest) Bhai Milap Singh and Panch Pyare, the sacred Guru Granth Sahib was taken inside the Hemkunt Sahib.

The first ‘ardas’ was offered as soon as the gates were opened at 9 am. Devotees took a dip in the freezing cold waters of the holy Himsarovar (lake), adjacent to the temple. Guru Gobind Singh is said to have performed ‘Tapasya’ at Hemkunt Sahib which is situated about 21 km away from Govindghat on the Badrinath National Highway.

Portals of Lokpal Laxman temple situated on the opposite side of the Hemkunt Sahib also opened on Thursday.

It is believed that Laxman worshipped god here for long duration. WITH PTI INPUT