| Wishing you all a very Happy and blessed Guru Nanak Jayanti Hemkunt Sahib ji with a setting of a glacial lake surrounded by seven peaks, is a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs. It is located in the Himalayas at an elevation of over 15,200 ft (4,600 m) in the state of Uttarakhand, India, and is accessible only by foot from Govindghat on Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. It is most known for a gurudwara, known as Hemkunt Sahib, associated the Sikh guru, Guru Govind Singh, and is one of the most sacred of Sikh shrines , the lake also has a Lakshman temple built by it . Hemkund is Sanskrit name derived from two meaning 'Hem' - Snow & "Kund", Bowl so by Hindu mythology it is meant Bowl of Snow, where Sh. Guru Gobind Singh ji(tenth guru of Sikhs)and Lord Lakshman did his penance. Hemkund comes by crossing Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandprayag & Vishnuprayag. Hemkund is inaccessible because of snow from October through April. Each year the first Sikh pilgrims arrive in May and set to work to repair the damage to the path over the harsh winter. This Sikh tradition is called "kar seva" (literally "work service") and forms an important tenet of the Sikh faith of belonging to and contributing to the community The take-off point for Hemkund is the town of Govindghat about 275 km from Rishikesh. The 13 km trek from here is along a reasonably well maintained path to the village of Gobind Dham or Ghangaria. There is another Gurudwara where pilgrims can spend the night. In addition there are a few hotels and a well-maintained campground with tents and mattresses. After this a 5,000 ft (1,500 m) climb in 6 km of stone paved path reaches Hemkund. There are no sleeping arrangements at Hemkund and one is advised to leave by 2PM to make it back to Gobinddham by nightfall On the way to Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib ji. It is definetly not an easy task to reach here. On the banks of the Hemkund lake stands the Lakshman Temple (also known as Lokpal Temple). It is believed that Lakshman had meditated at this place and the mythical Sanjeevani Buti that cured Lakshman after Meghnad wounded him during a battle is also said to have been found in the vicinity. So, the Lakshman Temple is considered as one of the famous Hindu pilgrimage sites.  It was there that Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji the tenth and last Guru of the Sikhs is reported to have meditated in his previous life In 'Bachitar Natak' the great Guru relates his story in the following words - "I shall now relate my own story, how God sent me into this world. I was busy performing penance on the hills of 'Hemkund' where seven peaks are prominent. The place is called 'Sapt Shring' where King Pandav had performed Yoga, there I practiced austerity and worshipped the god of death.  Associated with the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is a revered Sikh Gurudwara and one of the most visited Sikh holy places. For eight months of the year, the Lokpal Lake, on which, the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is situated remains frozen, after which it melts in the monsoons and meadows of wildflowers colour its banks. Encircled by the Saptashringa Peaks (seven snow-clad peaks), which are collectively called Hemkund Parvat, it mirrors its surroundings on the crystal-clear waters. The lake is the source of the Laxman Ganga (also called Hem Ganga) stream that merges with the Pushpawati stream flowing from the Valley of Flowers. From this point on, the river is called Laxman Ganga.  As mentioned in the holy Granth Sahib, Guru Gobind 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 Gobind Singh introduced the features now universally associated with Sikhism. In 1699, he started the new brotherhood called the Khalsa (meaning the pure). The five K's' associated with Sikhism date from this period: kesh (uncut hair) kangha (comb), kirpan (dagger or short sword), kara (steel bangle), and kachh (shorts). The Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is a grand star shaped structure of stone and masonry at the edge of the lake whose crystal clear water mirrors the image of the seven peaks that surround it. Streams from Hati Parvat and Sapt Rishi Peaks feed the lake and a small stream called Himganga flows out of it. The sacred and holy lake of Hemkund Sahib ji Discovery of Hemkunt The Sikhs started to search for Hemkunt, the "Tap Asthan" (the place of meditation), in the late nineteenth century, even though the Dasam Granth was recorded in the 1730's. The first Sikh to trace the geographical location of Hemkunt was Pandit Tara Singh Narotam in 1884. He was a nineteenth century Nirmila scholar. His findings were published by the renowned exponent of Sikh history and scholar, Bhai Vir Singh in 1929 in his book called "Sri Kalgidhar Chamatkar". This book was then read by Sohan Singh, who was a retired Granthi (priest) from the Indian army working voluntarily at a gurdwara in Tehri Garhwal. Having read the description of where the Tap Asthan was, he set out to find the physical spot in 1933. Unfortunately that year he had no luck and attempted again his search the following year. His enquiries led him to the place known as Lokpal to the local folk. The description matched that of the place described by the Guru as Sapat Shring and the place where King Pandu was believed to have meditated. Hemkunt had been found. However Sohan Singh's discovery was met with much scepticism, so he approached Bhai Vir Singh (1872-1957) whose work had inspired him to search for the Tap Asthan. Both Sohan Singh and Bhai Vir Singh met, and visited the site, and both were then convinced that the Gurus' description of Tap Asthan matched the site found.
 Bhai Vir Singh then committed himself to developing Hemkunt Sahib. He gave Sohan Singh some money, believed to be an amount of 2,100 rupees, with which to buy some supplies and materials to start construction of a small gurdwara on the shore of the lake. Sohan Singh publicized the cause and was able to collect further funds. In early 1935 whilst purchasing materials in Mussoorie, Sohan Singh met Modan Singh a Havaldar from the survey department who later accompanied him to the site of construction, then joined forces with him. After obtaining permission from the local people, they hired a contractor and started work on the construction of a ten foot by ten foot stone Gurdwara. Construction of this Gurdwara was completed in 1936. At the same time, they also enlarged the ancient Hindu Mandir that stood on the lake shore as a symbol of respect.  My Heatfelt pranams to all the Gurus.. "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh"   Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Dhan Akal Purakh  Guru Gobind Singh Ji writes that the only one worthy to be called a Khalsa, is the one whose heart lotus is filled with the Supreme Light of the Supreme Lord. And the Khalsa is only that one who enjoys ATAM RUS. Guru Gobind Singh Ji emphasises that the one within whom there is God's Perfect Light (POORAN JOT) and God's enjoyable union (ATAM RUS) – then there is no difference between that one and God. No difference between that one and Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself!   The only ones who can enjoy this highest level of divine joy – ATAM RUS – are those upon whom the Eternal Being has bestowed his mercy. The ones who have taken support of the Perfect Lord. The ones who have meditated upon the perfect Satguru and followed his instructions. Not being separate from the Perfect Lord, they have become one and the same. The Perfect Lord has come to reside in their heart. And they are totally engrossed in always singing and praising God.  Wahiguru ji ka Khalsa Wahiguru ji ki Fateh
Jo Bole So Nihaal or Bole So Nihal  Message from the teachings of Sai baba
Only by Ardent wish we get Spiritual Bliss Ego and arrogance will lead to the fall of a man. If we seek refuge in God with confessions, even the most heinous crimes will be burnt to ashes. True confession means repenting for the sins done earlier and resolving not to repeat them. God knows a sincere heart. Those who regret sincerely will be much disturbed with their sins, seek Baba's shelter and beg for the spiritual alms. Then, their sins get destroyed in the divine contemplation and the earnest souls receive the grace of God. The Almighty will illumine them with right thoughts.Some deceptive people claim themselves to be the paragons of moral values and ethical conduct and assume inwardly that they are the ideal men. They think that their crimes are not so big and need not take refuge at the Feet of Baba. Such people who feign honesty and pray to God to destroy the incidental sins will not be graced by Baba and are never allowed near. Since their minds are bloated with ego and pride, they will either be in a mood to receive what Baba wants to give or try to understand and apply Baba's teachings for their good. Thus, Baba did not permit the arrogant inside Dwarakamayi. Only when their minds get purified by sincere repentance, Baba would permit them into His darbar. So, upon our ardent longing to belong to Baba only, we are assured of living in His Presence. Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devoh Maheshwar; Gurur Shakshat Parambramha Tashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind. Sai bhakt, Deepa H | 
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