There has been an unprecedented attendance of the pilgrimage season in Hemkund Sahib and Lokpal Temple in Uttarakhand, with more than 2.71 lakh devotees attending the religious sites to date. The impressive growth is an indication of the strong faith displayed by the pilgrims nationally who make the daunting journey in search of spiritual blessings.
Hemkund Sahib is one of the highest Sikh shrines in the world, and it is located at an altitude of almost 15,000 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas. The gurdwara is extremely spiritual to the Sikhs as it is closely linked to the life of meditation and devotion of Guru Gobind Singh. The pilgrims walk all the way to Ghangaria, which is a steep and long road to the shrine located at Govindghat and requires physical fitness, not to mention good faith. Though there is a steep hill, Hemkund Sahib attracts thousands of devotees annually.
The Lokpal Lakshman Temple, which is in the close vicinity of Hemkund Sahib, is one that is dedicated to Lord Lakshman, who was the younger brother of Lord Rama. The temple is a place of religious significance to both the Hindus and Sikhs, and a visit to both sites has become part of the pilgrimage process. The integrated pilgrimage to these sacred sites provides religious-minded people with an opportunity to have spiritual reflections and blessings.
The pilgrimage season this year has already achieved a new milestone, and the number of pilgrims visiting the place has surpassed 2.71 lakh since the portals opened in May. This figure is much more than the history, and it shows the increased popularity of these sacred locations. The pilgrimage season will end in October, and the sites will shut down during the winter months, as snowfall is very high and the weather conditions are very harsh.
The Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, in cooperation with the government of Uttarakhand, has put in place several measures to control the high number of devotees visiting the Hemkund Sahib. These would be online booking, helibase services, medical examination, and altitude sickness prevention advice. The government has also tackled the issue of crowd control and emergency preparedness so that pilgrims can be safe and healthy during the season.
The number of pilgrims visiting Hemkund Sahib and Lokpal Temple has been the highest in history, and this is an indication of long-term spiritual dedication and devotion of the devotees. With the season almost closing, the authorities still focus on all the visitors’ safety as the sites are being prepared to close down in winter.
