Hemkund Sahib or Hemkunt Sahib is the world’s highest Gurudwara, situated at a height of 13500 feet above sea level. It is situated in Chamol district of Garhwal Region in the state of Uttarakhand in India. It is tough to reach Hemkund Sahib as it requires long and tiring road journey from Haridwar to Govindghat and then trek of 21 km from Govindghat. This trek is done in two days, first day you will be going only up to Ghangaria. Ghangaria is the base camp for Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib Trek. Nature lovers coming for Valley of Flowers trip go to Hemkund Sahib also but most of the pilgrims coming for Hemkund Sahib do not go to Valley of Flowers.
History of Hemkund Sahib
It is believed that the last Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji worshiped here for years. In Chapter six of Bachitra Natak Guru tells his previous birth. He tells Hemkund peak and lake of Ice with mountain adorned with seven peaks.
Climate/ weather at Hemkund Sahib:
Hemkund Sahib is always cold throughout the year. It is accessible only for 4 months in a year from June to September and rest of the time it is full of snow. Even in the month of June the lakes is frozen and again in September end mostly snow again start falling. No one is allowed to stay overnight at Hemkund Sahib only the Sewadars at Gurudwara stay there. After the last prayer at 2 pm everyone is sent down to Ghangaria. The weather at Hemkund Sahib changes very rapidly.
Hemkund Sahib Yatra by Helicopter :
Helicopter service is available from Govindghat to Ghangaria and you can skip trekking from Govindghat to Ghangaria. Helicopter service is too much dependent upon weather conditions. You cannot rely on it especially in the month of July and August when monsoon is in its full swing. It takes only 3 min from Govindghat to Ghangaria by Helicopter and charges are Rs. 3500 (In 2012). You can expect an upgrade in these charges by at least 10 % every year due to inflation. You need not book the ticket in advance as no one knows the Helicopter will fly or not on a particular date. So you can simply go and take the ticket and ride it.