The portals of the lakshman temple and Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara at lokpal were ceremoniously re-opened to the public on Wednesday morning. It was estimated that about 5,000 persons were present here on the occasion with many more expected to arrive later.
The ceremony for the Gurudwara began at 9 am with the Guru Granth being brought to the shrine where the first ardas was read at 9:30 am after which the gurudwara was reopened to the public at about 10 am. The pilgrims arriving here took a dip in the glacial lokpal lake before paying their obeisance at the shrine. Those present on the occasion were told about the historical and important aspects of the shrine.
It should be mentioned here that situated in a high altitude area amidst Himalayan peaks, the lakshman temple and Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara remain open for the public only for four months in a year. Due to extreme cold conditions in the month of October, the portals of the shrine are closed to the public and reopened in the summer after a gap of eight months.
Considering the absence of snow covering on the bridle path to these shrines due to comparatively less and delayed snowfall this season, those trekking to the shrines can expect to experience lesser inconvenience.