Chamoli – A joint team of the Indian Army and sewadars of the Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust has begun snow-clearing operations on the Hemkund Sahib trek route after offering ardas at Govindghat.
A contingent from the Indian Army’s 418 Independent Field Company under the 9(1) Mountain Brigade, led by a subedar, proceeded from Govindghat to Ghangaria along with volunteers of the trust. The team was formally flagged off by Trust CEO Sardar Sewa Singh.
About a week earlier, a reconnaissance team had surveyed the route and reported heavy snow accumulation exceeding 8 feet in the Hemkund Sahib and Atal Kot glacier regions. Based on this assessment, the current team will stay in Ghangaria and gradually move upward each day, clearing snow to make the trekking route accessible.
Officials expect that continuous efforts by the Army personnel and volunteers will clear the entire route within the next three weeks, ensuring safe passage for pilgrims ahead of the opening of the holy shrine.
The opening ceremony (Kapaat opening) of Shri Hemkund Sahib is scheduled for May 23, 2026, while the first batch of pilgrims is expected to depart from Rishikesh on May 20, 2026.
Situated at an altitude of around 4,632 meters (15,200 feet) in the Garhwal Himalayas, Shri Hemkund Sahib is one of the most revered Sikh pilgrimage sites. Surrounded by seven snow-clad peaks and the pristine Hemkund Lake, the shrine is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and spiritual significance.
According to Sikh tradition, the site is associated with the meditation of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in his previous birth and is also mentioned in the Dasam Granth. It serves as a major center of faith, meditation, and spiritual awakening for devotees.
Trust Chairman Sardar Narinder Jeet Singh Bindra expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Army for its continued support and selfless service in ensuring the safe conduct of the Hemkund Sahib Yatra every year. He also thanked all sewadars for their dedication to this sacred task.
