Sunday, 21 May 2023 | PNS | JOSHIMATH
The Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara was reopened to the public on Saturday. About 2,000 devotees were present on the occasion. The ancient Lokpal Lakshman temple was also opened for devotees on the occasion. Earlier, the first batch of pilgrims headed by the Panch Pyaras were sent off from the Rishikesh Gurudwara by the governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and others on May 17. Later in the journey, the batch walked from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib. A large number of devotees from across India and abroad reached the Gurudwara as bands played tunes and devotees sang kirtan. The main Granthi of the Gurudwara, Milap Singh and manager Gurnam Singh brought the holy Guru Granth Sahib to the Gurudwara at 9:30 AM after which the first recital was offered at 10:15 am. With this, the Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage has started on an enthusiastic note despite the heavy snow cover in the area.
On the same day, the ancient Lokpal Lakshman temple near which the Gurudwara is located was also reopened for devotees amid Vedic chants. The temple priest Kushal Singh Chauhan conducted the rituals on the occasion which saw a number of devotees paying their obeisance to lord Lakshman.
