Research: Hemkunt Sahib

[rajkaran]

Hey all,

I'm planning on writing a really short, somewhat informal paper on Hemkunt Sahib for my Punjabi Class (Yes, I'm learning Punjabi now...sorry?). Rather than just talk about the history, architecture, and general facts about the Gurdwara, I wanted to include a paragraph or two about the Gurdwara's significance. Some questions I was hoping to find the answers to are below, but if any of you could provide some personal accounts or insights, that would be great, since I have never been to the Gurdwara myself!

What were the reactions of the pilgrims during on the way there? at the Gurdwara? after?
Are there any difficulties faced for pilgrims? How can they be alleviated?
What intent do you feel pilgrims went for (aka sightseeing? show of piety? other?)?
What, in your opinion, sets Hemkunt Sahib apart from other Gurdwaras?
(For non-Sikhs) As a non-Sikh, what was your primary intent for visiting Hemkunt Sahib? Was it inviting?
Would you go back if you could? Why or why not?

Sorry for all the questions! If the article is good enough, I may even submit it to be reviewed/published in a new, informal youth-led "Sikh Journal" in Bangkok, Thailand. And, of course, if I end up using one of your quotes, I will ask your permission first.

I'd like to have the paper written by Sunday afternoon, so any help would be much appreciated. The sooner the better!

With Best Regards,
Rajkaran S.

 

[Ranjit]

What were the reactions of the pilgrims during on the way there? at the Gurdwara? after?

People are pretty excited during the drive and when they begin walking from Govind Kaat, but after like an hour of walking on the rocky road you see fatigue set in on a lot of the people, but the determination is always there. Once you reach the Gurdwara everyone looks relieved (the last kilometer is pretty rough), especially after doing ashnaan, for some reason really really cold water refreshes you. People are more relaxed and pretty much every person is drinking cha.

Are there any difficulties faced for pilgrims? How can they be alleviated?

You should try to get into decent shape prior to your trip. From what I remember it's about a 13km walk along a horribly designed road so you should pace yourself and not take off right away like I did. Take food and water with you so you can keep your energy up, the guys at the little stores along the way will just rip you off. If you really need to you can always hire a guy to take you up on a donkey.

What intent do you feel pilgrims went for (aka sightseeing? show of piety? other?)?

I think it's a pilgrimage all Sikhs should take at some point in their life. I think people like it because it's one time you can go to a Gurdwara and not have to step out into a dirty city, with people trying to sell random religious merchandise and others bugging you for money. Also, you get a feeling of accomplishment afterward.

What, in your opinion, sets Hemkunt Sahib apart from other Gurdwaras?

To me, it didn't feel like another trip to a Gurdwara, it was an experience. For those 2 days you forget about the modernized world we live in. There's no temple made of gold, no man made srovaar, there's no shiny white tiles covering the floor, people don't push and shove their way to throw money at Guru Granth Sahib, everything is just a little more relaxed.

Would you go back if you could? Why or why not?

I actually am planning on going back with some of my cousin's who didn't get to go the first time. This time I want to go in the later days of summer, I've heard it's much nicer when the snow is melted.

Let me know if you want to know anything else,
Ranjit

 

[Dippy]

I've been to Hemkunt Sahib and I think it is 1 place everyone should go!!!! It is definately an eye opening experience and looking back...it was probably the most couragous thing I've ever done!!! To start off the drive is SCARY!!! You drive for 2-3 days from Punjab before you actually get to the first gurdwara I beleive it is called Gobind Dham or Gobind Ghat...you are litterally 2 feet from the edge of the mountain and its a good 1,000 feet drop and the only thing you see when you look down is the Ganges river and there is no safety rail 2 days before we got there, there was a mudslide that blocked the road and we were stuck in between the mountains for 2 days and 100 motorcycles washed away into the river.... .........it was so scary
What were the reactions of the pilgrims during on the way there? at the Gurdwara? after?
When I was there most people were having a good time. There were a lot of tourists and families that went so that makes the trip more enjoyable ;D
Are there any difficulties faced for pilgrims? How can they be alleviated?
The hike up the mountain is KILLLER!!! Its a 1-2 day walk all the way up to Hemkunt Sahib and that is the hardest part by far. No cars can go up there so can either walk, take a donkey ;D, or sit on the back of a small Himalayan man who will carrry you all the way up (seriously)! Since its a religous site a lot of people try to walk the trail but it is really hard because it is at a high elevation and there is very thin air. Make sure to take your inhaler!! They have many stalls and rest stops along the way and that makes it better
Would you go back if you could? Why or why not?
I went in the summer of 05' and I was in culture shock. I never knew about this place and I was blindsighted by the amount of time and patience this trip takes. I have never been more scared in my life. I remember praying to god that if he let me make it back home from this trip in 1 piece I would come back..and since I'm on BTF that means I'm sticking to my promise ;D I actually can't wait to go back!! It was such a thrilling experience and those of you that have gone know what I'm talking about... I don't know if this helps you Rajkaran but thats my 2 cents
If anyone wants to go to Hemkunt Sahib let me know...IM DOWN!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[Laddi]

WOW guys, great input! I wann go visit that place one day...heard its something else! also, heard it has plants and flowers that are found nowhere else in the world? tru? ???

 

[Dippy]

Yes there is a flower garden there!!! It has some really cool plants and flowers that only grow in that area. Its on the way up to Hemkunt Sahib so def. go there on ur way up!!! ;D ;D ;D

 

[- Raja -]

Lets go in the summer Dippy! hahaha..but yeahh all my cousins have bin there and everything said here is basically what they told me..

 

[rajkaran]

Hi guys,

Your input is amazing!!! Thank you very very VERY much! Reading these posts makes me want to go this coming summer...hopefully I'll be able to!

With Warm Regards,
Rajkaran S.

 

[Dippy]

Lets go in the summer Dippy! hahaha..but yeahh all my cousins have bin there and everything said here is basically what they told me..

RAJA seriously lets do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ashveer]

Rajkaran:

http://lakhvir.wordpress.com/2006/07/31/hemkunt-and-the-valley-of-flowers/

http://fateh.sikhnet.com/hemkuntsahib/intro.htm [white anthropologist]

 

[rajkaran]

Rajkaran:

http://lakhvir.wordpress.com/2006/07/31/hemkunt-and-the-valley-of-flowers/

http://fateh.sikhnet.com/hemkuntsahib/intro.htm [white anthropologist]

Thank You, Ashveer! Nice Sites...

 

[Dippy]

Rajkaran:

http://lakhvir.wordpress.com/2006/07/31/hemkunt-and-the-valley-of-flowers/

http://fateh.sikhnet.com/hemkuntsahib/intro.htm [white anthropologist]

YEAH it was called the Valley of Flowers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was so bugging me!! thanks Ashveer!!!

 

[Navkarn]

i've been to hemkunt sahib as well. dippy i wouldn't be surprised if you went at the same exact time i went, your story sounds almost identical to mine. from the dangerous trek up there, to getting stuck in Joshimaat for 4 days due to mountains collapsing. hemkunt sahib was one hell of an experience, totally unlike any other. however, im quite shocked to see that both ranjit and dippy would not hesitate to think about going back. in all honestly the engineering of roads and safety in general is soooooo poor and almost feels like a deathtrap. don't get me wrong, once we finally made it to the top the beauty of hemkunt sahib was unreal. even along the way and the hike up, the rush of the river right next to you along with raw nature everywhere was amazing. im blessed i was able to make it out of there safe and sound but for the first time ever in my life i actually contemplated the thought of death cuz the chance was so real. i even saw two unfortunate bodies lose their lives to a boulder collapse ... it could have been anyone. when we made it back to chandigargh we were told that we went during the wrong season and that it's much safer in the hotter times. so in conclusion, for anyone who is interested in going id highly recommend not to go in the rainy wet season. as much of an experience it was, i dont see myself ever going back. the safety of my family and thoughts of loved ones totally outweighs my decision to go back to a place with such unavoidable dangers. i hate to sound like a cynic, but there is no way anyone who has been there can deny that the journey there feels so primitive.

 

[Dippy]

I went in the summer of 05' so maybe you were with me!!! ;D I was the one complaing the whole time about the heat Well initially my reaction was WTF did I get myself into!!! I was in fear for like 3 days that we were going to DIE.. It is def. very dangerous and I would caution anyone going to make sure they trust their driver!!! I was stuck in Joshimaat too!!! I remember being the most scared when we were at the gurdwara and they made us sign our names on a register just in case we didn't make it back!! I wouldn't say I had a great time, but I learned a lot about faith on that trip...I have never felt more alive, and more close to death at the same time (if that makes sense). I want to go again because I think it would be so cool to defeat death twice lol nobody else in my family wants to go back but I think it would be a lot of fun to go with a bunch of my friends next time around..right RAJA ;D so if you change ur mind Navkarn let me know....... ;D