RISHIKESH, May 18, 2026 – The annual Himalayan pilgrimage to Shri Hemkund Sahib will formally commence on Wednesday with a traditional send-off ceremony for the inaugural batch of devotees from the Rishikesh base camp.
The departure of the first group of pilgrims, which will be guided by the Panj Pyaras, is being coordinated by the Gurdwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust. Uttarakhand Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.), Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu are scheduled to oversee the launch alongside state ministers and spiritual leaders.
“The program will feature Ardas, Shabad Kirtan, the traditional ceremonial send-off of the Jatha accompanied by the Nishan Sahib, and other Sikh rituals,” a trust representative stated.
The organizing body noted that the direct participation of high-ranking state and federal officials reflects the government’s operational focus on maintaining a safe, structured, and orderly travel passage through the mountainous terrain.
Beyond the religious send-off, the event will serve as a platform for cultural and historical preservation. The Trust will inaugurate a specialized heritage museum named “Dastan-e-Sikhi,” which is designed to document sacred milestones in Sikh history, regional lineage, and the lives of the Gurus.
Two new volumes focused on Sikh heritage are also scheduled for official release during the morning gathering to provide historical context for traveling devotees.
The Trust will also honor Ranvir Singh Sachdeva, an eight-year-old child developer from the community who has earned international recognition as an artificial intelligence prodigy. Organizers noted that the young programmer has showcased advanced software development skills at major international venues, including the United Nations headquarters in New York and the global AI for Good summit in Switzerland.
Narendra Jeet Singh Bindra, President of the Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, requested widespread participation from the regional congregation. Bindra noted that all public safety arrangements and logistics are synchronized to support the influx of devotees moving toward the high-altitude shrine.
