Uttarakhand: The portals of the sacred Sikh pilgrimage site of Sri Hemkund Sahib and the ancient Sri Lokpal Lakshman Temple—situated in the lap of the Himalayas at an altitude of over 15,000 feet—were closed for the winter season amidst traditional rituals. The pilgrimage concluded in an atmosphere filled with emotion and spirituality, accompanied by the melodious tunes of the Army band, *Shabad-Kirtan*, the final *Ardas* (prayer), and chants of “Waheguru Ji.” Thousands of devotees witnessed this historic moment.
A total of 384,573 devotees paid obeisance at the holy shrine during this year’s pilgrimage, which began on May 23. On the day of the portal closure, thousands of devotees, accompanied by a *Ragi Jatha* (hymn-singing group), traveled from Govind Dham (Ghangharia) to Hemkund Sahib. This group included a 40-member delegation of Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan.
Amidst the spiritual ambiance and the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Saptashring Valley, devotees bowed their heads in reverence before Guru Maharaj. The presence of a record number of devotees made this year’s pilgrimage truly special.
Religious ceremonies on the closing day began in the morning with the recitation of *Sukhmani Sahib*. This was followed by *Shabad-Kirtan*, and the final *Ardas* of the pilgrimage was performed in the afternoon. After receiving the *Hukumnama* (divine command), the *Guru Granth Sahib* was ceremoniously escorted from the *Diwan Hall* to *Sachkhand Sahib* under the leadership of the *Panj Pyaras* (Five Beloved Ones) and amidst the melodious, majestic tunes of the Army band. With this, the portals of Sri Hemkund Sahib and Sri Lokpal Lakshman Temple were closed for the winter.
The pilgrimage season was marked by several challenges, including heavy snowfall, rain, biting cold, and slippery mountain paths. Despite this, personnel from the Chamoli Police and the SDRF remained constantly vigilant to ensure the safety of and provide assistance to the pilgrims.
Under the leadership and guidance of Chamoli Superintendent of Police Surjit Singh Panwar, continuous monitoring was maintained regarding security, the smooth movement of pilgrims, and overall arrangements along the pilgrimage route. Personnel assisted pilgrims in safely navigating difficult stretches and provided immediate aid whenever required.
