Hemkund Sahib’s portals open; over 5,000 devotees pay obeisance

The portals of Shri Hemkund Sahib, a renowned Sikh pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, were opened for devotees on Saturday with traditional rituals and ceremonies.

The portals of Shri Hemkund Sahib-a renowned Sikh pilgrimage in Uttarakhand-were opened for devotees on Saturday amidst traditional rituals and ceremonies.

Narinder Jeet Singh Bindra, president of the Hemkund Sahib Trust, said that at 9:00 am, the Shri Guru Granth Sahib was ceremoniously installed at the Darbar Sahib, led by the 'panj pyaras' (the five beloved ones). This was followed by the recitation of 'Sukhmani Sahib' and the singing of 'Shabad-Kirtan'.

He further said that following the opening of the portals, the first 'ardas' (congregational prayer) of the year was performed at Hemkund Sahib.

On the day of the opening, more than 5,000 devotees took a holy dip in the sacred 'sarovar' (pool) and paid their obeisance.