My journeys

I went to Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib when I was 12 years old. I went there with my neighbours & the plan of me going with them was quite an instant decision by my Mother. It was even more surprising because my Dad didn't even know about it, till he came back from his office & wondered why I wasn't around!!

I remember we took a bus that evening from near my house. I don't remember a lot of the details & don't even have any pictures because I went by myself & didn't have the brains to take my camera, partly because I had never used one by then. 

I read a few things over the internet & am trying to reconstruct the path we took.  I know we went to Rishikesh, but I read somewhere that from there one goes to Srinagar and then Joshimath. I don't even know if I've been there. But if this is the way that everyone takes, then maybe we went this route.

However, I remember the journey from here on. Once we reach Govind Ghat, the rest of the journey had to be made on foot. No vehicles are allowed, but some people do take the ride on mules. From here we go to Govind Dham, and then to the Hemkunt road and river.

I remember quite vividly that we had to cross a suspension bridge over the River Alaknanda. The very thought gives me chills because the bridge shakes!

I also remember that we were talking about Hem Ganga that originates from Hemkunt Lake and falls into Alaknanda. I can still visualize standing on a path & looking at this beautiful body of water just flowing freely. It was beautiful.

I think this was also the first time I saw snow! If I am correct then beyond this point one can either taken the hundreds of steps that lead to the Gurudwara or take a path through the snow covered mountains. Even the path through the mountains is marked with ropes. But standing at this junction, I know I thought there is no way I'm walking through snow. It seemed scarier than what it was, because from where I was standing I saw the stream flowing just at the base of the snow covered mountains. The path through these mountains was marked by ropes that connected wooden sticks (that were pushed in the snow) at regular  intervals. The thought that came to my mind was what if I slip from there, then I'd just roll over the snow covered slope and then fall in the stream.

So, it's not a big surprise that we took the steps leading to the Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib. We also took a dip in the "sarovar" - a common tradition at most of the Gurudwaras in India. Taking a plunge in icy cold water, in the middle of snow covered mountains is a chilling thought in itself!

After spending some time there, we made our way back to Govind Dham. One must plan the time wisely because it's not possible to stay at Hemkunt Sahib overnight, so it's important to be back in a sheltered place before dark.

At one point, I remember my Aunty telling others to close the windows else the clouds would come in. I'm really fascinated by that thought!

Here is a picture of Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib that I found on the internet:

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Page updated on: 19-Feb-2002 03:38 PM