Yatra Sri Hemkunt Sahib Ji

[reshmi_mutiyar]

<TABLE borderColor=#ffbb77 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="85%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Yatra Sri Hemkunt Sahib Jihttps://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Image:HemkuntSahib_2.jpg[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gurudwara Paonta Sahib[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] : 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[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] 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. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gurudwara Sher Gah Sahib[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] 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]
[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][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] [/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]
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[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]
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[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]

[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]​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Image:Hemkunt.jpg

 

[Ramta]

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In the Indian epic and Puranic literature, Himalayan landscapes are described as the dwelling places of gods and goddesses. Pilgrimage shrines mark the places where the landforms themselves - mountains, rivers, forests, and lakes - are said to have acquired sacred qualities. High above the tree line, in the midst of a natural rock garden of moss, ferns, and flowers, is one such sacred place: a small, blue-green lake fed by water which cascades down from the surrounding mountain walls. Located in the Uttarkhand Himalayas bordering Tibet and Nepal, it is accessible for only four months of the year. Between June and October, sun and monsoon rains melt the ice and snow that are its namesake. Then, the steep stone footpath that leads to the lake is crowded with pilgrims and tourists. They journey to the base of the route on foot from neighbouring mountain valleys, or from the plains in buses, cars, and trucks, on scooters and bicycles, even by foot. Then for two days they climb upward. Some walk, some ride mules, and some are carried by porters. Finally, at the top of more than a thousand stone steps, the holy lake, the Sri Hemkunt Sahib Gurdwara, and the Sri Lakshman Mandir come into view.​

Sikhs believe that this holy place, known as Hemkunt (lake of ice), is the tap asthan (place of meditation and prayer) at which the tenth and final living Guru of the Sikhs achieved union with God in his previous incarnation. From there, the Guru was summoned by God to be reborn into the world to teach the people the true path. The temple built on the shore of the lake commemorates his mission. It also shelters the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal scriptural Guru for the Sikh community. The community is itself recognized as a collective Guru, and pilgrims, as they walk the path toward Hemkunt, share the sacred journey with its members. In this way, all three forms of the Guru - the source of spiritual guidance - are understood to be present at Hemkunt. Sikh pilgrims go there to be inspired to walk the same difficult path that the Guru walked, both in body and in spirit, and to, through the Guru's grace, realize their connection with God in the same place where the Guru realized his. At Hemkunt Sahib, Sikhs feel closer to the Guru and, through the Guru, closer to God.​

This 'lake of ice' is also sacred to the hill people who live in the valley below. They tell of the gods Lakshman, Hanuman, Shiva, and Vishnu, the tales of their deeds woven together with images from local landscapes. Long before the Sikhs knew the lake as the Guru's tap asthan, these people knew it as Lokpal, and made annual pilgrimages to its shore. For them, as for Sikhs, the journey continues to be an act of devotion, and the holy lake itself is a place for prayer and worship - a place where wishes can be fulfilled.​

Thanks​

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[reshmi_mutiyar]

thankyou 4 your kind response

 

[reshmi_mutiyar]

 

[cyberinder2009]

Thanks for your inofrmative naration - definitely will like to Visit Hemkunt Sahib and other Gurudwaras in the region.