The high altitude Lokpal lake, known as
Hemkund ( 4329 mts.) lies in heavenly
environs. A steep trek from Ghangharia leads
one to this spot in about four to six hours.
It is an important pilgrimage for both Hindus
and Sikhs, as well as for people from other
faiths. There is a Sikh Gurudwara and a
Lakshman temple built on the bank of the lake.
Encircled by seven snow clad peaks and their
associated glaciers, it reflects its
surroundings enchantingly on its crystal clear
serene waters. The glaciers from Hathi Parvat
and Saptrishi peaks feed the lake and a small
stream called Himganga flows out of this lake.
As alluded to, in the holy Granth Sahib, Guru
Govind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikh faith
had meditated on the bank of this lake in one
of his earlier births. It is widely believed
among Sikhs that Guru Govind Singh introduced
the features now universally associated with
Sikhism. On 15th April 1699, he started the
new brotherhood called the Khalsa (meaning the
pure, from the Persian word 'Khales') an inner
core of the faithful, accepted by baptism (amrit).
The five K's' date from this period: kesh
(uncut hair) kangha (comb), kirpan (dagger or
short sword), kara (steel bangle), and kachh
(boxer shorts). The most important is the
uncut hair, adopted before the other four. The
comb is sometime designated specially as
wooden. The dagger and the shorts reflect
military influence, while the bangle may be a
from of charm.
It is believed that Lakshman, the younger
brother of Ram, meditated by the lake and
regained his health after being severely
wounded by Meghnath, son of the demon Ravana,
during battle. Despite its ancient
connections, Hemkund/Lokpal was discovered by
a Sikh Havaldar, Solan Singh and became a
major pilgrimage centre only after 1930.
Day 1: Delhi
Delhi - Flight: Arrive Delhi. Met on
arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight
stay. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 2: Delhi - Rishikesh
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Morning after breakfast, drive to
Rishikesh. Rishikesh is the gateway to the
Garhwal Himalayas. The distance between the
two cities is 220 kms which takes about 6 hrs.
The city is full of temples & ashrams and has
the Yoga Institute situated here. Arrive
Rishikesh and check into the hotel. Afternoon
at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3: Rishikesh - Karnaprayag -
Joshimath
Morning after breakfast, drive to reach
Joshimath which is the winter abode of Lord
Badrinath. Lunch enroute. Evening arrive at
Joshimath and check into the hotel for dinner
and overnight stay.
Day 4: Joshimath - Govindghat - Ghangria
Morning after breakfast, drive to reach
Govindghat. After an early lunch, start
trekking to reach Ghangria also called GOVIND
DHAM, the base camp for Hemkund Sahib and
Valley of Flowers.
Day 5: Ghangria - Hemkund - Ghangria
Morning after early breakfast, start
trekking to reach Hemkund Sahib, one of the
holiest pilgrimages for the Sikhs.
Snow-covered peaks and mountains makes the
backdrop for 'The Hemkund Lake'. Return to
Ghangria for overnight stay in Hotel.
Day 6: Ghangria- Govindghat -
Rudraprayag
.Morning after early breakfast, start
return trek to Govindghat. On arrival, drive
to Rudraprayag via Joshimath and Karnaprayag.
On arrival, check into Tourist Bungalows for
overnight stay. At the confluence of Mandikini
and Alaknanda river, Rudraprayag is a Hindu
Pilgrimage site.
Day 7 : Rudraprayag - Rishikesh
Morning after early breakfast, drive to
return to reach Rishikesh. Lunch enroute.
Evening arrive Rishikesh and check into hotel
for overnight stay.
Day 8 : Rishikesh - Delhi
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Morning after early breakfast, return
drive to Delhi, enroute visiting Hari-ki-pauri
in Haridwar. Lunch enroute. On arrival at
Delhi, check into hotel. Rest of the day free
for independent activities. Overnight stay at
Delhi.
Day 9 : Delhi
Depart Flight: Morning at leisure.
Transfer to international airport in time to
board the flight for onward destination.