Chamoli, Oct 10: The doors of Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, closed for the winter season on Friday, marking the conclusion of the 2025 pilgrimage season that began on May 25. Nestled at an altitude of over 16,000 feet near the Barfani Lake, the sacred site drew thousands of devotees despite fresh snowfall and difficult trekking conditions.
The closing ceremony, which started at 11 a.m., featured the recitation of Sukhmani Sahib followed by kirtan by Hazuri Ragi Bhai Maninder Singh from Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. After the final Ardas, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib was carried to Govind Dham in a procession led by the Panj Pyaras, with chants of “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal” filling the snow-clad valley. Approximately 2,000 devotees witnessed the ceremony, their devotion undeterred by the cold and the snow-covered path up to Atlakoti.
Sardar Seva Singh, prabandhak of the Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara Trust, noted that snow removal work was ongoing along the route to ensure safe passage for pilgrims. “Despite the snow, enthusiastic devotees reached Hemkund Sahib, demonstrating remarkable faith,” he said.
This year, the pilgrimage attracted roughly 2,72,423 devotees, surpassing last year’s 1,83,722 visitors. Trust Chairman Narinder Jeet Singh Bindra thanked pilgrims for their dedication and urged them to verify weather and road conditions through local gurdwaras rather than social media rumors.
Officials from the Hemkund Sahib Trust, local police, and the State Disaster Response Force were present during the ceremony. Bindra also acknowledged the support of Governor Gurmeet Singh, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan, DGP Deepam Seth, DM Sandeep Tiwari, and SP Sarvesh Panwar. Brigadier Dhillon and devotees from across the globe attended the final rituals.
Shri Hemkund Sahib, associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is renowned for its serene environment, snow-capped peaks, and proximity to the Valley of Flowers, making it a spiritual and natural haven for pilgrims, tourists, and trekkers alike.
