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SHRI HEMKUND SAHIB

» SHRI HEMKUND SAHIB – VALLEY OF FLOWERS
Duration : 8 Nights & 9 Days
Destination Covered : Delhi - Haridwar -Joshimath - Govind Ghat - Ghangaria - Hemkund Sahib - Badrinath - Rudraprayag - Rishikesh - Haridwar

This scared Sikh shrine is situated on the shores of the Hemkund lake (4320 mtrs). It marks the place where Guru Govind Singh, the tenth and last Guru, unified with God after prolonged meditation in his previous birth. The guru's autobiography, which contains a description of the place, helped two devout Sikhs, Sant Sohan Singh and Havaldar Mohan Singh to rediscover it. According to Hindu mythology, Hemkund or Lokpal as it is also known, is where Lakshman had done his penance. Hemkund is a 15km trek from Govindghat, which is the gateway to the Bhyundar or Lakshman Ganga valley. Govindghat is one of the bus route to Badrinath. The trek from here to Hemkund Sahib takes one through forests of pine and rhododendron where wild roses, ferns and alpine flowers bloom. The surging waters of the Lakshman Ganga are also visible. The last 5km of the trek entails a steep climb from Ghangharia, which is a base for visiting Hemkund. Hemkund Lake is about 2km in circumference. Its clear, still waters mirror images of the Saptashringa Peaks (5500mtrs) which surround it. Bits of ice still float on the waters between July and October, the best season to visit Hemkund. The rock-strewn shores of the lake are covered with moss and flowers in bloom.

Day 1: Delhi - Haridwar
(230 kms/6hrs)Arrival Delhi Railway Station, Meet & Assist by TRAVNET representative. Further drive to Haridwar. Arr. Haridwar, transfer to your Hotel. Visit Har-ki-Pauri for Ganga Aarti in evening. Back to your hotel, Dinner & Night halt.

Haridwar :
Haridwar, lying at the feet of Shiva's hills, i.e., Shivaliks, in the Haridwar district of Uttaranchal Pradesh, is a doorway. Suryavanshi prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to the curse of sage Kapila. The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled forth form Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful water revived the sixty thousand sons of king Sagara. In the traditional of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here, praying for salvation of their departed elder. It is doorway to the sources of the Ganga and the Yamuna, 3000 to 4500 meters up into the snowy ranges of the central Himalayas. The 'Aarti' worship of the Ganga after sunset and the floating 'dia' (lamp) is a moving ritual.

Temples & Sight Seeing –
Har-ki-Pauri, Chandi Devi & Mansa Devi Temple, Daksha Mahadev Temple, Bilkeshwar Mahadev, Anandmai Ashram, Pawan Dham, Shantikunj, Bhooma Niketan, Vaishno Devi Temple, Doodhadhari Temple & Bharat Mata Mandir..

Day 2: Haridwar - Joshimath
(276kms/8hr)Morning, drive straight to Joshimath enroute visit Deoprayag, Rudraprayag & Karnprayag. On Arr. Joshimath, Check in Hotel. Overnight stay. Joshimath: Adi Guru Shankaracharya, who came all the way from Kerels in the 8th Century A.D, perform penance under a tree here and after getting enlightenment, established a Math (religious centre), known as "Joshimath". The name Joshimath is derived from it. Temple of Narsingh and Nav Durga are located here.

Day 3 : Joshimath - Govind Ghat
(22kms drive) - Ghangaria (13kms/4hr Trek) Drive to Govindghat, Trek Start from here to Ghangaria (3000 mts). Check in Hotel. Ghangharia/Govinddham : 5 Kms. situated in the midst of a pine grove Ghangharia serves asa base for visiting Hemkund Shaib. It is the last human habitation in the valley. A tourist Lodge, log huts, tents and a Gurudwara provide comfortable accommodation.

Day 4 : Ghangaria - Hemkund Sahib - Ghangaria
(6kms/4hr each side)Early morning, trek start from here to Hemkund Sahib. Return back to Ghangaria after Darshan. Overnight stay. Gurudwara Hemkund Shaib : This imposing star-shaped structure of stone and concrete masonry is one the shores of the lake. An outlet behind the Gurudwara is source of the Lakshman Ganga. Temple of Lord Lakshman : A small temple nearby, dedicated to Lord Lakshman.

Day 5 : Ghangaria - Valley of Flower - Ghangaria
(4kms/2hr each side) Valley of Flower was discovered by Frank Smith while on the Expedition to Mt. Kamet. This picturesque Valley covered by rare species of flowers & a wide variety of Butterflies, Musk Deer, Thar & serow are found here. Back to Ghangaria, Overnight stay.'

Day 6 : Ghangaria - Govindghat (13kms trek down) - Badrinath
(20kms/1hr) – Joshimath (44kms/2hr)Early morning, trek down to Govind Ghat. On Arr. Govindghat, drive to Badrinath. Badrinath one of the 'Four Dhams' is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage spots of the country and is situated at an elevation of 3,133 meters, guarded on either side by the two mountain ranges known as Nar & Narayan with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a splendid backdrop. This revered spot was once carpeted with wild berries. Thus the place got the name "Badri van", meaning "forest of berries". After Badrinath Temple Darshan drive back to Joshimath. Check in Hotel. Overnight stay at Joshimath.

Day 7: Joshimath - Rudraprayag - Rishikesh
(256kms/7hr)Drive to Rishikesh via Rudraprayag. Arr. Rishikesh, Check in Hotel. Rest day at leisure. Overnight stay.

Day 8: Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi (250kms/7hr)Morning, visit Rishikesh & Haridwar Local Sight Seeing & Temples. Later drive back to Delhi. On Arr. Delhi, transfer to Railway Station / Airport. Tour ends with sweet memories....