Hemkund Sahib is a prominent pilgrimage site and Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship. It is located in the Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India. This pilgrimage site is devoted to Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), the tenth Sikh Guru, and finds mention in Dasam Granth. It can be reached from Govindghat on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The main town near Govindghat is Joshimath. The elevation of the lake at Hemkund is about 15,000 feet.
Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib is one of the major attractions for the Sikh community. But it also attracts other religious followers in a sense of Seva. The Gurdwara is visited by millions of people when it is open for pilgrims. Sikhs believe that Guru Gobind Singh meditated at Hemkund in a previous life, making it a sacred and revered site. Here you will find the Opening and closing times of this sacred yatra.
Hemkund Sahib Opening & Closing Dates 2025
The design and construction of the present Gurdwara at Hemkund began in the mid-1960s, when Major General Harkirat Singh, KCIO, Engineer-in-Chief, Indian Army, visited the Gurdwara. Hmkund Shaib is inaccessible from October through April because of snowbound paths and glaciers. Sikh pilgrims arrive in May and set to work to repair the damage to the path over the winter, which is called ‘Kar Seva’ (selfless service), a concept which forms an important tenet of the Sikh faith.
| Opening Date | 25 May 2025 |
| Closing Date | Tentatively in early October |
Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara will open for pilgrims from 25 May 2025. This Himalayan shrine for Sikh pilgrims will close for the winter season in October, during which the area remains covered with snow and becomes difficult to reach. The tentative date for closure of Hemkund Sahib is 10 October 2025.
Shree Hemkund Sahib Yatra Trek Route
Every devotee who goes to the Hemkund Sahib Yatra has to complete the trek to get the blessings. This Yatra trek route involves a challenging trek from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib, a sacred Sikh pilgrimage site, with its base camp at Ghangaria, about 6-7 km from Govindghat.
| Yatra Days | Trek Details |
| Day 1 | Arrive at Govindghat or Joshimath from Haridwar/ Rishikesh by road. |
| Day 2 | Trek to Ghangaria from Govindghat (13 km). |
| Day 3 | Trek to Hemkund Sahib and back to Ghangaria. |
| Day 4 | Trek to Valley of Flowers and back to Ghangaria, or trek back to Govindghat. |
| Day 5 | Trek down to Govindghat/ Joshimath. |
Hemkund Sahib Yatra Trek Distance
Here are the complete details about the Hemkund Sahib Yatra Trek Distance below;
- Starting Point => Govindghat, a small town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
- Base Camp => Ghangaria, the final human settlement before reaching the Hemkund Sahib.
- Trek to Ghangaria => A 13-kilometer trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria.
- Trek to Hemkund Sahib => A 6-7 kilometre trek from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib, involving steep ascents and descents.
- Ponies and Porters => It is only for those who face difficulty walking. It is the best convenience 0pf transport for the devotee.
Best Time to Visit the Hemkund Sahib
The Hemkund Sahib is only open for a few months during typical weather conditions. So, devotees have to wait a long time for the Yatra. If you are planning to visit the Hemkund Sahib, then you should visit this Himalayan Shrine at the best time. The Hemkund Sahib is open from May to October. But, the best time to visit the Hemkund Sahib is July to October, when the weather is generally favourable.
Helpline Number
If you want to register for the Hemkund Sahib Yatra, but are facing some technical and other difficulties, then you can directly contact the helpline desk:
- Address: Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Paryatan Bhawan, Near ONGC Helipad, Garhi Cantt, Dehradun-248001 (India)
- Helpline Number: 0135 – 2559898 , 0135 – 2552627 ,0135 – 3520100
- Email ID: [email protected]
- Official Website: https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/