City: Joshimath State: Uttaranchal Location: North India Altitude: 4329 m Above Sea Level. Type of Building: Gurudwara Religion: Sikhism Importance: Pilgrimage for both Hindus and Sikhs Best Time: July - August Accomodation: Accomodations are available in Joshimath. Accesibility: Joshimath is connected to the other near by cities. Known for pilgrimage, Uttaranchal is rightly named as the abode of Gods.
Hindu temples can be found at almost every fold as you take to the mountains of Uttaranchal. Himalaya offers you excellent scenic beauty. Visiting Hemkund Saheb, Joshimath can be an enchanting experience amidst the mountain ranges and the splendid sceneries around. Hemkund Sahib located about 4329 mts. above sea level is famous pilgrimage for both Sikhs and Hindus. Known to be an auspicious place where the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Govind meditated by the Hemkund Lake to attain enlightenment, the Sikh Gurudwara was built on its banks.
The Hindus refer it Lokpal lake and a Lakshman temple is also built nearby. A steep trek from Ghangharia for about four to six hours will take you to Hemkund Saheb, Joshimath. Circumscribed by the enchanting snow covered peaks and the glaciers the Gurudwara reflect the serenity of the surroundings. Glaciers from Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi peaks are the sources of the Hemkund Lake and a small stream called the Himganga stream flows out of this lake. Hemkund Sahib is close to the Valley of Flowers about 20km from Joshimath. In 1938 The Valley of Flowers was rediscovered by a British mountaineer, Frank Smiche. He later wrote a book.