Hemkund Sahib stands more than 15,000 feet above sea level in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. It is a major Sikh pilgrimage site.
Photo: Japleenpasricha / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The gurdwara stands beside a glacial lake amid seven snow-covered peaks. Devotees climb a mountain trail on foot to reach the shrine.
Photo: Japleenpasricha / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The 2026 pilgrimage began on 23 May. On 10 August, trust president Narendra Jeet Singh Bindra announced 10 October as the scheduled winter closing date.
Photo: Japleenpasricha / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
In the early-October report, manager Sewa Singh said more than 358,000 pilgrims had visited that season. He said the total exceeded the records of previous years.
Photo: Japleenpasricha / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Heavy snowfall and harsh winter weather make the route unsafe. The shrine therefore closes in October, and the pilgrimage resumes the following summer when conditions improve.
Photo: Japleenpasricha / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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