Uttarakhand: Yatra for Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib began on Monday (June 01). Around 7,000 devotees visiting Hemkunt Sahib on the opening day, despite rainfall and snowfall.
It is notable that Uttarakahnd Chief Minister Harish Rawat flagged off the Yatra from Chamoli district’s Govindghat Gurdwara on May 31.
“Yatris can travel by their vehicles till Pulna [in Chamoli district], after which they will have to trek the 14.5-km path to reach Hemkund Sahib”, said Bhai Seva Singh, the manager of the Gurdwara said.
![Hemkunt Sahib [File Photo]](https://sikhsiyasat-en.net/wp-content/uploads/Hemkunt-Sahib-Yatra-e1412986589795.jpg)
Hemkunt Sahib [File Photo]
“A new road has reduced the trek by four kilometres”, he added.
In June 2013, the Alaknanda river, which flows beside the Gurdwara, swelled with water that swept away with it, the road, car-parking area, almost 50 shops, and some parts of the Hemkunt Sahib Gurdwara.
About 5 lakh devotees visited the Hemkunt Sahib before the 2013 tragedy, after which Yatra was stopped for rest of the period.
“Only about a lakh devotees visited the shrine last year, but this year most of the facilities have resumed so were are hoping that more number of devotees would visit the shrine,” said Seva Singh.