HELP- i need detailed history of Shri Hemkunt Sahib

[SHEREPUNJAB]

Friends i need detailed information of Shri Hemkunt Sahib plz help me

 

[reshmi_mutiyar]

AH LAO G, HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE OF HELP TO YOU, I WILL ALWAYS BE AT YOUR SERVICE TO OBLIGE FURTHER, SHOULD IT NOT BE,,,,,,,,,





http://www.manmeetdear.com/Yatra Hemkunt sahib/1view of srowar of gurudwara shri hemkunt sahib.jpg
Gurudwara Paonta Sahib : The Guru Ji stayed at Paonta Sahib for four and a half years. Raja Medani Prakash of Nahan had requested the Guru to stay for some time in his state. The guru ji seleceted a very beautiful place near village Paonta on the bank of Jamuna. A fort was constructed there. Inside the fort, houses for the residence of Guru and other sikhs were made. Later on the fort was demolished and very beautiful gurudwara was constructed there. There the Guru devoted himself to the composition of poetry. The were fifty two poets in his darbar. Now on the bank of the river Jamuna the kavi Darbar Asthan is situated. Here the Guru Ji and fifty two poets used to assemble and recite their poems. While residing at Paonta Sahib the Guru evolved his plan for the completion of God-ordained task. While living at Paonta Sahib the Guru killed a white lion, who had been converted to be a man eater. Gurudwara Sher Gah Sahib stands at that place. Though Raja Fateh Chand and Medani Prakash were at loggerhead with each other. But the Guru helped to reconcile them. Raja Fateh Chand also became the friend of Guru.



[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In those days Raja Bhim Chand who considering the Guru as his enemybetrothed his son with the daughter of Raja Fateh Chand. At time of marriage party accompanied by large army proceeded towards Srinagar capital of Raja Fateh Chand's state. The nearest route from [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Bilaspur to Srinagar[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] passed through [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Paonta Sahi[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]b. Bhim Chand asked Guru Ji to let their marriage party to pass through [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Paonta Sahib[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]but the Guru knew the cunningness of Raja Bhim Chand so he didnot allowed the marriage party and the army to pass through[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Paonta Sahib[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Bhim chand was so enraged to hear the reply of the Guru that he decided to attack Guru after the marriage of his son. Bhim Chand took the large army of the hill states and Raja Fateh Chand was asked to lead the army. When Guru came to know about this he shifted his army to Bhagaani and all preparations were made to face the attack. Raja Fateh Chand attacked Guru's force. A severe battle was fought, but the hill army could not face the gallant forces of the Guru. A large portion of the army of hill chiefs was killed and then ran away. The Guru won the battle. The place where battle was fought now stands the [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gurudwara Bhagaani Sahib and Gurudwara Teer Garh Sahib[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]. The pilgrims while standing at Paonta Sahib visit all the important historical places situated at or near [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Paonta Sahib[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gurudwara Rishikesh Sahib [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From Paonta Sahib the pilgrims proceed towards Rishikesh. On their way comes the historical city of Dehradoon. This city was founded by Baba Ram Rai son of Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji. The guru had deserted Baba Ram Rai due to his misinterpretation of the gurbani. Baba Ram Rai also showed some miracles to Aurangzeb. King Aurangzeb gave him four villages in the Doon area as a reward. When the Guru Har Rai Ji and sikhs decided not to see his face, he went to Srinagar Garwaal and became a great friend of Raja Fateh Chand. Due to his miracle powers Raja Fateh Chand annexed some territory of Raja MedaniPrakash. He had many followers known as Masands. As Baba had no issue to inherit his property so Masands were trying their best to occupy the dera. Baba Ram Rai[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]shifted to Dehradoon. There he was cremated alive while deep meditation. When his wife Panjab Kaur complained about this to Guru Gobind Singh he went to Dehradoon and gave severe punishment to the guilty Masands. From Dehradoon the pilgrims reach Rishikesh. Rishikesh is considered to be a very holy place for Hindus. It is situated at a distance of 24 K.M from Hardwar. Here the sikh devotees had built a very beautiful Gurudwara where langar and tea is served day and night. Here pilgrims from all sides get together. Pilgrims donot face any difficulty in staying in night in this Gurudwara[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gurudwara Joshi Math [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Rishikesh pilgrims start their journey for Joshi Math. This only is 170 K.M from Rishikesh. In the way come many beautiful Prayags. the second important Prayag is knownas Rudar Prayag. There is also situated a historical temple of Saint Rudar Nath. The travellers who have to go to Kedar Nath, that place is very important for them. From here a road along with Mandakani river goes upto Kedar Nath. Enjoying the natural scenes of the mountains and rivers we reach Joshi Math. The Hemkunt-Trust has built a very beautiful Gurdwara there. This Gurdwara provides all types of facilities to pilgrims. It is also said that there are many manuscripts in possession of the Gurdwara. In this Gurdwara the holy Dasam Granth is also enshrined for study of the pilgrims.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gurudwara Gobind Ghat After staying for a night at Joshi math, the pilgrims start for the next halt of Gobind Ghat. From Joshi Math to Gobind Ghat the pilgrims travel in buses. This journey is about 25 miles. Gobind Ghat is situated at an altitude of 6000 feet. above sea level. A very beautiful Gurdwara had been built there. The water of Ganga comes down from Hemkunt Sarover. From Gobind Ghat one Road leads to Hemkunt Sahib and the other to the historical temple Badri Nath. This Gurdwara was built under the supervision of Havaldar Modan Singh in 1944-45 A.D. The next journey from Gobind Ghat to Gobind Dham has to be completed by foot. The distance between [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gobind Ghat and Gobind Dham is 12 K.M.[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gurudwara Gobind Dham In the evening the pilgrims reach the Gurdwara Gobind Dham. This is the last haltfor the devotees going to Hemkunt sahib. This is the first such magnificient and beautiful Gurdwara to be situated at a height of 10000 feet above sea level. Here thousands of pilgrims can stay at night. A free kitchen is open 24 hours for the pilgrims. This beautiful Gurdwara has been constructed by Hemkunt-Trust. Every one feels as if he/she has entered the house of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. They Utter again and again.[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Sahib[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Sahib[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Next day early morning the pilgrims start for their final goal to pay homage to Hemkunt sahib. As it is very difficult to stay at Hemkunt Sahib the pilgrims try their best to come back as early as possible. The distance between Gobind Dham and Hemkunt Sahib is 5 K.M.[/FONT]

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib When we reach the holy place of Hemkunt sahib we get a glimpse of Amrit Srovar(The pond of Nector). the tank is situated at the height of 15210 ft above sea level. This srovar is 400 yards long and 200 yards wide. There are seven peak whih are adorned with the Kesari Nishan Sahib every year. When on bright days we see towards these peaks these Nishan sahib look like pencils. There was time when no human being even imagined to climb over there seven peaks. But by the grace of the Great Guru these peaks have become just a game of mountaineering for the sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The atmosphere around the [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hemkunt s[/FONT]ahib is very pleasent and charming. The sikhs are very fortunate that they two Nector pools to redeem their impiety. One such pool is at Amritsar. Guru Arjan Dev Ji writes, " Who take bath in nector pool at Amritsar, is washed of his all types of sins and vices ".[/FONT]​

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[reshmi_mutiyar]

In the late nineteenth century, Sikhs began to search for Hemkunt: a place, high in the Himalayan mountains, which their tenth Guru alluded to in the autobiographical Bachitra Natak. The title of this work roughly translates as the 'wonderful drama'. It is included in a compilation of writings attributed to Guru Gobind Singh, known as the Dasam Granth. In poetic language, the following story about the Guru's previous birth is recounted in chapter six of Bachitra Natak:
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(Dasam Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1952: 54-55)
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In these verses, the Guru tells of his origins. He describes the place Hemkunt Parbat Sapat Sring, the "lake of ice" "mountain" adorned with "seven peaks", as the same place where King Pandu, the forefather of the five Pandava brothers of Mahabharata fame, practiced yoga. There, the Guru did intense meditation and austerities until he merged with God. Because his earthly parents had served God, God was pleased with them and gave a commandment that the Guru to be born to them. In the world he would carry out a mission to teach the true religion and rid people of evil ways. He was reluctant to leave his state of union with the creator, but God compelled him. In this way the Guru took birth into the world.
The first Sikh to pen his speculations about the nature and location of the Guru's tap asthan was hagiographical writer Bhai Santokh Singh. In his fourteen volume Sri Gur Pratap Suraj [Prakash] Granth (originally published in 1843), Santokh Singh elaborated on the story of the Guru's previous life as told in the above passage from the Dasam Granth.

Santokh Singh narrated a mythical tale of a powerful youth who was called into existence during Sat Yug, the 'age of truth' (the first of four ages according to Hindu mythology) to do battle with fierce demons that terrorized mortals and gods. When they had been destroyed, the youth, known as Dusht Daman, the 'destroyer of evil', was instructed to go to Hemkunt Sapatsring to meditate until he was called upon by God. Guru Gobind Singh's own account in Bachitra Natak completes this story. After realizing his oneness with God through meditation and austere discipline, he was reborn in Kal Yug, the 'age of darkness', as the son of the ninth Guru and his wife. Later, after his father's martyrdom, he became the tenth and final living Guru of the Sikhs.
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The search for and discovery of Hemkunt came out of the desire of the Sikhs to erect shrines to honour places consecrated by the visit of the tenth Guru during his lifetime or, in the case of Hemkunt, during his previous lifetime. Although Bachitra Natak was included in the Dasam Granth some time in the 1730s, Sikhs apparently did not consider looking for Hemkunt Sapatsring until the late nineteenth century. It did not become a place of pilgrimage until the twentieth century.

Pandit Tara Singh Narotam, a nineteenth century Nirmala scholar, was the first Sikh to trace the geographical location of Hemkunt. He wrote of Hemkunt as one among the 508 Sikh shrines he described in Sri Gur Tirath Sangrah (first published in 1884). Much later, renowned Sikh scholar Bhai Vir Singh was instrumental in developing Hemkunt after it had been, in a sense, re-discovered by another Sikh in search of the Guru's tap asthan.
Sohan Singh was a retired granthi from the Indian army who was working in a gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Tehri Garhwal. In 1932, he read the description of Hemkunt in Bhai Vir Singh's Sri Kalgidhar Chamatkar (1929). This account of the place and the meditation of a great yogi there was based on the tale of Guru Gobind Singh's life and previous life as told in Bachitra Natak and the Suraj [Prakash] Granth.

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Bhai Vir Singh's description was so compelling that, on reading it, Sant Sohan Singh resolved to search for the place where Guru Gobind Singh had meditated. He set out in 1933, perhaps working from clues in Bachitra Natak and the Mahabharata, and Narotam's Sri Gur Tirath Sangrah. He was not successful that year, so returned to try again in 1934.
In Pandukeshwar, near Gobind Ghat, Sant Sohan Singh made inquiries of the local people about the location of the place where King Pandu had done his penance. It was they who said that the lake known as Lokpal might fit the description of Hemkunt Sapatsring. In an account told by the villagers, he met with some Bhotia women who were on their way from Badrinath to Lokpal to celebrate a festival. He asked if he could accompany them. In another version, he climbed alone to the shore of the small lake surrounded by rocky peaks. Accounts of what happened next also vary. What is clear is that Sohan Singh felt certain that he had found the very place where the Guru had meditated in his previous life.
In his excitement to spread news of his discovery, he went first to Mussoorie, a hill station in Uttarkhand. He wanted to approach Sikh authorities in the hope that a memorial could be set up beside the lake. He spoke to the president of the gurdwara there, but his story met with skepticism. He moved on to Amritsar and announced his discovery before the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The authorities there also did not listen. He then decided to approach Bhai Vir Singh, whose book had first inspired his search.
In the winter of 1934, Sohan Singh met with Bhai Vir Singh in Amritsar. At first the scholar was not convinced, and asked many questions about Sohan Singh's find. When at last he felt satisfied that the place fit Guru Gobind Singh's description, Bhai Vir Singh committed himself to the cause of developing of Hemkunt. He gave Sohan Singh 2,100 rupees with which to buy supplies to start construction of a small gurdwara on the shore of the lake, then he went on to publicize the discovery of Hemkunt and to collect and manage further funds for its development.
Early in 1935, Sohan Singh was purchasing building materials in Mussoorie when Modan Singh, a havaldar from the Survey Department, approached him and asked him what he was preparing to build. Sohan Singh explained that he had found the place where Guru Gobind Singh had meditated in his previous life, and Modan Singh asked if he might accompany him to the site. They went together to Hemkunt that same year. In Pandukeshwar they hired a contractor to oversee the construction. They obtained permission from the local people, and then, accompanied by local men, they went to the lake and started work on a ten by ten foot stone gurdwara. The construction of the gurdwara was completed the following year. The Sikhs also had their contractor enlarge the ancient Hindu mandir which stood on the shore of the lake.
Havildar Modan Singh retired from the military in 1936 after deciding to dedicate the rest of his life to the service of the Guru's tap asthan. In 1937, the Guru Granth Sahib was installed in the hut on the shore of the lake, which became the site of the highest gurdwara in the world. In 1939, Sant Sohan Singh died, but not before entrusting Modan Singh with his mission to continue the development of Hemkunt Sahib.
The first structure at Gobind Dham was a small tin shed built by Modan Singh. Prior to its construction, he had found shelter from rain, cold, and wild animals in the hollowed out trunk of a tree. The tree still stands in the courtyard of Gurdwara Gobind Dham, and pilgrims gather around the plaque mounted nearby to read its story. In 1951, the Chief Khalsa was given responsibility for the upkeep and further development of the route to Hemkunt. Now, gurdwaras have been constructed all along the route from Harwar/Rishikesh to Hemkunt Sahib. During the formative years of development there was no motorable road leading to Gobind Ghat, and all supplies had to be carried over rough terrain and steep inclines by mule and by porter.
With the inspiration of Bhai Vir Singh, the first jatha (group of pilgrims) was formed and sponsored by the Chief Khalsa Diwan, Amritsar in 1952. In 1958, responsibility for Hemkunt Sahib shifted to the Chief Khalsa Diwan branch in Kanpur. Shortly before his death in 1960, Modan Singh established a seven member trust to oversee the further growth and operation of the pilgrimage. Today, in addition to Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib, the trust manages gurdwaras in Hardwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Joshimath, Gobind Ghat, and Gobind Dham, all of which provide food and lodging for pilgrims.
Inspiration for building a larger gurdwara at Hemkunt came from a woman who was given the mission to lay its foundation stone in a vision of Guru Gobind Singh. When Mata Ram Kaur, a housewife from Punjab, presented herself in Gobind Ghat in 1960 and revealed her purpose, the management were skeptical. She was able to convince them of the sincerity of her mission by describing details of Hemkunt that, never having been there before, she had no way of knowing.
In the end, a new gurdwara was built. The plans for it were made in 1964, but work could not begin until 1968 when the motorable road was extended to Gobind Ghat. The new gurdwara was designed with the image of an upside down lotus flower in mind. The roof of the structure is able to withstand the weight of heavy winter snowfall, and doors on all five sides welcome visitors from every direction and every faith. The lower storey was completed first. In a room in its centre the Guru Granth Sahib was installed beneath a brass canopy. In June of 1988 the Lakshman temple was enlarged still further with the help of the military. The upper storey of the gurdwara was completed at the end of the 1993 season, and the Guru Granth Sahib was installed in June of 1994. Work still continues at the site to improve paths and facilities. The numbers of pilgrims to Hemkunt Sahib have been steadily multiplying from the time of Hemkunt's discovery in the 1930's until today. In 1977, the first year for which data is available, there were 516 Sikh visitors. By 1980 there were 6,050. And by 1990 there were 189,340.

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[Johal]

thkxxxxxxxxx Apninder gggggggg

 

[reshmi_mutiyar]

YOU'RE VERY WELCOME JOHAL DEAR,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,THNXXX

 

[smilly]

thanx dear......

 

[Dhillon]

I don’t believe the mythology behind Shri Hemkunt Sahib.

The Pandavs,Dusht Daman doesn't go with the Interpretation of the Sikh faith.

 

[prinzdude]

Haye, otthe jaan da dil karda...

 

[reshmi_mutiyar]

I don’t believe the mythology behind Shri Hemkunt Sahib.
The Pandavs,Dusht Daman doesn't go with the Interpretation of the Sikh faith.

yes dear, I RESPECT YOUR BELIEFE , but our elders/ ancesters have led us to believe, the above,, so how do we find courage to fight their rulings

 

[Dhillon]

yes dear, I RESPECT YOUR BELIEFE , but our elders/ ancesters have led us to believe, the above,, so how do we find courage to fight their rulings

See if there was Dushtdaman and Pandavas,then there must be a krishna,Ram Chandra,Brahma,Vishnu,Shivji and all 84 Crores Devtas.

How many Sikhs are Comfortable with this notion ?

 

[reshmi_mutiyar]

See if there was Dushtdaman and Pandavas,then there must be a krishna,Ram Chandra,Brahma,Vishnu,Shivji and all 84 Crores Devtas.
How many Sikhs are Comfortable with this notion ?[/quote]brilliant point dear,,,,,,,,just brill. but my lips are sealed,,, but i stand on same side of river as you dear

 

[munda_wakhre_type_da]

See if there was Dushtdaman and Pandavas,then there must be a krishna,Ram Chandra,Brahma,Vishnu,Shivji and all 84 Crores Devtas.

How many Sikhs are Comfortable with this notion ?

atleast m nt comfortable..

 

[santokhSingh]

i don’t believe the mythology behind shri hemkunt sahib.

The pandavs,dusht daman doesn't go with the interpretation of the sikh faith.

tusi bilkul theikh keh rahe ho sanu ona de pichle janam nal koi matlab nahi hona chahida

 

[santokhSingh]

Me too

 

[pkg9991]

thanks for sharing