Garhwal Post Bureau
Govindghat (Chamoli), 15 Apr: A team of the Indian Army’s 418 Mountain Brigade along with the sevadars of the Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, after performing Ardas, departed from Govindghat for Ghangaria and began the work of clearing snow from the Hemkund Sahib trekking route.
The Indian Army’s 9 (1) Mountain Brigade 418 Independent Field Company, led by a Subedar, along with sevadars of the Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, are part of the team.
The joint team was given a warm send-off by Sardar Sewa Singh, CEO of the Sri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust.
Approximately one week ago, a reconnaissance (recce) team had surveyed the route. During the survey, more than 8 feet of snow was found accumulated in the Sri Hemkund Sahib and Atal Koti glacier areas. Now, this team will stay in Ghangaria and will daily move upwards towards Hemkund Sahib, cutting and clearing the heavy snow to make the trek route safe.
With the continuous efforts of the jawans and sevadars, it is hoped that the entire route will be cleared within the next three weeks and made safe for the pilgrims. This will provide sufficient time for the sacred portals (Kapaat) of Sri Hemkund Sahib to be opened on 23 May 2026.
The first jatha (first group of pilgrims) is scheduled to depart from Rishikesh on Wednesday, 20 May.
Sri Hemkund Sahib is an extremely sacred Sikh pilgrimage site located at an altitude of approximately 4,632 meters (15,200 feet) in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is surrounded by seven snow-clad mountain peaks and has a crystal-clear glacier lake (Hemkund or Lokpal Lake) nearby, which gives the place its unparalleled natural beauty. Nestled amidst the high Himalayan peaks, the serene lake, and alpine meadows, this Gurdwara is a unique confluence of spiritual peace and nature’s breathtaking beauty.
In Sikh tradition, it holds special significance as it is believed to be the place of meditation (tapasya) of the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in his previous birth, and is mentioned in the Dasam Granth. This site is not only sacred for Sikhs but serves as a centre of faith, meditation, and spiritual awakening for all devotees.
Sardar Narendra Jeet Singh Bindra, President of the Management Trust, on behalf of the Trust, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Army for its continuous support and selfless service in making the Hemkund Sahib Yatra safe and successful every year. The Trust also extends thanks to all the sevadars for their dedication towards this sacred work.
