Hemkund Trek

Hemkund

Hemkund, ensconced within a spectacular setting of a glacial lake surrounded by seven peaks, is a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs. It is located in the Uttarakhand Himalayas at an elevation of over 15,000 ft (4,600 m).

Hemkund derives its name from two Sanskrit words "Hem" meaning Himalayas and "Kund" meaning water tank. The lake is fed by the Hathi Parvat and Sapt Rishi glaciers. It is encircled by seven snow peaks known as the Saptashringa peaks. The clear, still waters of the lake mirror the reflections of the peaks. Hemkund is a 15 km trek from Govindghat, which is on the bus route to Badrinath. The trek from Govindghat to Hemkund is through forests of pine and rhododendron, where wild roses, ferns, and alpine flowers bloom. The king of the Himalayan flowers, Saussurea obvallata, popularly known as 'Brahma kamal' is found in abundance here.

The star-shaped gurudwara (Sri Hemkund sahib), located on the banks of the lake, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the Sikhs. The holy lake is associated with the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. In his autobiographical poem 'Bichittar Natak,' the Guru wrote that in his previous life he meditated on the shore of a lake that was surrounded by seven snow-capped mountains. The banks of the Hemkund Lake is believed to be this place. A dip in the waters of the lake is considered sacred by the Sikhs. The parikrama around the lake is about 2 kms.

Hemkund is also sacred for the Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, Hemkund is where Lakshman (Lord Rama's brother) sat in penance. The mythological name for Hemkund is 'Lokpal.' There is a temple dedicated to Laxman on the banks of the lake. The river flowing through this valley along the path from Gobindghat to Gobinddham is called Lakshman Ganga.

Valley of Flowers

It was in 1931 that Frank Smythe and Holdsworth stumbled upon a valley while returning from their successful Kamet expedition. There were "at once transported from a region of solemn austerity to a fairyland of dainty flowers, most of them dwarf, but brilliant in colour." Bustling with beautiful, lively and vibrant colours, this park spread over an area of 87.5 sq. kms. It has one of the largest collections of wild flowers, with more than 300 species blooming here during the monsoons. Their presence makes it a magnet for attracting an amazing variety of Himalayan butterflies. The beauty of the park is enhanced by the Pushpawati river that flows in the vicinity and the towering Rataban peak in the background.

Auli

Auli is a hill station, offering excellent skiing facilities. The ropeway from Joshimath to Auli, one of the longest in India, adds to the excitement of getting there. Auli provides a panoramic view of coniferous forests, green meadows and the peaks of Nandadevi, Kamet and Mana Parbat.

Delhi- Rishikesh- Govindghat- Ghangaria- Hemkund

Air  : The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.

Rail : Nearest railhead is Haridwar / Rishikesh.

Road : Hemkund, off Badrinath, is 514 km away from Delhi, the last 15 km of which is a trekking route.

Height : 15,000 ft (4,600 m)