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After staying for a
night at Joshi Math, the Pilgrims start for the next
halt of Gobind Ghat.
From Joshi Math to
Gobind Ghat the Pilgrims travel in buses ,cars
,scooters. This journey is about 25 miles. Gobind Ghat
is situated at an altitude of 6000 feet. above sea
level. A very beautiful Gurdwara had been built there.
Gobind Ghat is also a
confluence of Akalnanda and Hem Ganga. The water of Hem
Ganga comes down from Hemkunt Sarovar. From Gobind Ghat
one road leads to Hemkunt Sahib and the other to the
historical temple of Badri Nath.
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This Gurdwara was
built under the supervision of Havaldar Modan Singh in
1944-45 A.D. There is also a big Hall for the purpose of
Langar. The next journey from Gobind Ghat to Gobind Dham
has to be completed by foot, so the travellers deposit
their heavy luggage in this Gurdwara. They take with
them umbrellas, a special type of stick and some
medicines and edible things. The distance between Gobind
Ghat and Gobind Dham is 12 Kilometers. Though obviously
this distance does not seem so lengthy. But this
distance is more arduous and tiresome. The old men,
women and children who cannot, climb or walk engage
ponies, palanquins and other carriers.
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Those pilgrims who had not brought with them
empty bottles to bring back the Amrit of the Hemkunt Sarovar, take such needful
things from the Gurdwara.
The atmosphere of
this area is very pleasant and pilgrims can visit this
place from the months of April to November. Many
pilgrims also visit other holy and historical places.
Some travellers visit the world famous valley of
flowers and others pay homage to the historical temple
of Badri Nath and other temples of their choice. Such
pilgrims are also welcomed at Gurdwara Gobind Ghat and
they enjoy the available facilities without any
distinction. Even the local people take the facility
of the free kitchen. In the beginning those people
were allergesic towards the Sikhs. They were afraid
that their properties and fields might be usurped by
the Sikhs forcibly. But now they feel very happy and
welcome pilgrims amicably.
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The Sikh pilgrims
had provided them many types of employments and they
earn a lot during the season.
When we start our
journey from Gobind Ghat towards Gobind Dham, we have
to cross the river Alaknanda. In earlier days there
were no means to cross the river. The devotees were
crossing the river by tying thick ropes. But that was
very difficult and dangerous. After sometime a bridge
was made by tying wooden planks with thick and strong
ropes. But women, children and old men did not dare to
cross that bridge. That bridge shook so violently that
the pilgrims had to be very cautious to step further.
But now the Hemkunt-Trust had constructed a very solid
concrete bridge. Now this bridge connects Gobind Ghat
with the valley of Lok Pal.
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After crossing the
bridge the people continue their journey while
chanting hymns of Gurus. They also chant hymns in
praise of Guru Gobind Singh and Lok Pal Dushat Daman
Ji.
There are small
shops at every beautiful scenic spot. Travellers rest
there and enjoy the tea and other edible things. As
they have to reach Gobind Dham in eight or nine hours,
so they travel at their will without much haste.
There are two
villages that come in the way. There is one village
known as Bhaundar. On the right side of this village
flows a small rivulet. If we travel along this river
we reach Haathi Parbat, Ghora Parbat and Kaag Bhasund
Parbat. In the way there are also many dense jungles.
We have to cross these jungles very carefully. In the
early periods people have to climb up by the support
of these trees. But now a smooth path has been
prepared and the pilgrims do not feel much difficulty.
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After crossing the jungle, we see the building of
Gurdwara Gobind Dham. All pilgrims
feel relieved and they thank the Almighty for their
safe journey. They feel as if they have reached their
own Dham (house).
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