Garhwal Post Bureau
Rishikesh, 18 May: The Grand Departure & Honour Ceremony of the first Jatha of Shri Hemkund Sahib Yatra 2026 (under the leadership of Panj Pyare) is set to commence at Rishikesh. The event is being organised by the Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust.
Present on the occasion will be Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd), Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, ministers, dignitaries, representatives of the saint community, and the devout Sikh sangat from Uttarakhand.
The yatra will leave on 20 May at 10 a.m. from the Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, Rishikesh.
Other events that will take place include the release of two books based on Sikh heritage. These publications aim to enrich the spiritual and historical knowledge of devotees. Also, Ranvir Singh Sachdeva (AI Whizkid), the 8-year-old AI prodigy from the Sikh community, will be honoured for his extraordinary achievements.
Praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and many other global leaders, young Ranvir exemplifies a beautiful blend of Sikh values and modern innovation. He has already showcased his talent in Artificial Intelligence and coding on prestigious international platforms including the United Nations (New York) and AI for Good (Switzerland).
The new museum “Dastaan-e-Sikhi” will also be inaugurated. Dedicated to Sikh history, heritage, and the sacred traditions of the Gurus, this museum will serve as a significant centre of knowledge for devotees and future generations.
This traditional farewell ceremony symbolises the beginning of the holy Shri Hemkund Sahib Yatra in the Himalayas. The programme will feature Ardas, Shabad Kirtan, the traditional send-off with Nishan Sahib, and other Sikh rituals.
The presence of high dignitaries reflects the State Government’s strong commitment to making the yatra smooth, well-organized, and safe for all pilgrims.
Narendra Jeet Singh Bindra, Chairman, Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, has extended an invitation to all devotees and sangat to participate in this sacred event and earn the blessings of this pious occasion.
