The portals of the Hemkund Gurudwara and lokpal lakshman temple were reopened to the public on Sunday. A large number of devotees took ceremonial dip in the Hemkund lake on the occasion.
After remaining closed to the public for six months in the winter, the portals of the Hemkund shrine and lokpal lakshman temple were reopened amid rituals at 10 AM on Sunday. The Sikh Regiment band played as the portals were reopened. About 3,000 Sikh devotees were present on the occasion.
The Gurudwara manager, Sewa Singh, said that the portals of Hemkund Sahib were opened by chief granthi Jissa Singh with the first ardas of the year.He said that the Gurudwara management committee has made all arrangements for the pilgrims here. With this, the arrival of Sikh devotees from various parts of the country has started.
The pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib is conducted till October after which it is closed for the winters. located at a high altitude, Hemkund receives heavy snowfall in the winter and even now the snow is yet to melt.
In view of the flash flood disaster of June last year, this year the authorities have instructed the pilgrims going to Hemkund to stay back at Govindghat, Ghangharia or Joshimath in case the weather condition deteriorates and move towards the shrine only when it clears up.