The high altitude Lokpal lake, known as Hemkund ( 4329 mts.) liesin 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.

Fact File

By Air : Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 307 kms. (Dehradun 334 kms.)

By Rail : Nearest railhead is Rishikesh, 293 kms.

By Road : Hemkund Saheb is 5 Kms. from Ghangharia, which is approachable on foot from Govindghat which is connected by road with Rishikesh, Kotdwara, Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Ranikhet and other important hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon Hills.

For further details on the trek route to Hemkund Saheb

Taxies : Private taxies and other light vehicles are also plying between Rishikesh and Govindghat and back. The charges are net fixed.

Petrol Pump : Pipalkoti, 55 Kms. from Govindghat. Now also available at Jhadkula (Joshimath).

Hospital / Market / Bank: Joshimath

Post & Telegraph : Govind Ghat

Best time to visit : Mid July to mid August

Note:

Horses, Dandies, Coolies and Ponies are available at Govindghat for carrying luggage and food to Valley of Flowers or Hemkund.