PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/ Jyotirmath
The portals of Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, nestled in the Himalayas in Chamoli district, were opened for the devotees on Saturday for the summer pilgrimage season. After the portal-opening rituals were performed, the first Ardas of this year’s pilgrimage period was conducted at 12:30 PM. On the first day of the pilgrimage itself, over five thousand devotees bathed in the holy lake and paid obeisance.
Speaking of the revered shrine’s portal opening and commencement of the pilgrimage, the chairman of Shri Hemkund Sahib Trust, Narendrajit Singh Bindra said that the portals had been thrown open at 9 AM amid prayer and bhajans conducted by the Panj Pyare (the five beloved ones). “Shri Guru Granth Sahib was brought from Sachkhand to Darbar Sahib. Following this, after the recitation of Sukhmani, Shabad Kirtan and the first Ardas of the year, the journey to Shri Hemkund Sahib officially began with the Hukamnama,” he added.
Importantly, the shrine will remain open for the pilgrims till October.
