When we reach the holy
place of Sri Hemkunt Sahib we get a glimpse of Amrit
Sarovar (The pond of Nectar) the tank is situated at the
height of 15210 ft. above the sea level. This Sarovar is
400 yards long and 200 yards wide. This had been
surrounded by the Himalayan peaks. On its three sides
the Sapt Sring (seven peaks) are shining elegantly.
These peaks change their colours according to the
atmospheric conditions. Some times they look snow white,
some times of golden colour, sometimes of crimson red
colour and sometimes brown blue colour makes them
mountains of jewels and rubies. The time has so changed
that these seven peaks have been tamed by the devotees
of Guru Gobind Singh. Now the seven peaks are adorned
with the Kesari Nishan Sahibs every year. When on bright
days we see towards these peaks these Nishan Sahibs look
like pencils. There was time when no human being even
imagined to climb over these seven peaks. But by the
Grace of the Great Guru these peaks have become just a
game of mountaineering for the Sikhs of Guru Gobind
Singh.
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In this field the name
of Sant Surat Singh is worth mentionable. He was not
only a Saint but also a great warrior of possible tasks.
The first peak of the left side is not only highest, but
also too complicated to be climbed easily. But Sant
Surat Singh thought that there was nothing impossible in
the world. He planned to conquer this peak and in order
to do that he took some iron hooks, chains and other
necessary material to achieve the target. He was the
first man to climb this peak.
The chains and hooks
which he had installed on the rocks, had made it easy to
ascend the peak.
Now-a-days the
devotees of Guru Gobind Singh, who want to climb peak
they, with the assistance of these hooks and chains,
reach the top without much difficulty.
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Those devotees who
install 'Nishan Sahibs' on all the seven peaks every
year, tell that there is also a small pond near the
fourth peak, whose water falls into the Hemkunt Sarovar.
Near Hemkunt Sahib and
even on the upper region flowers are rare. But there is
a flower like the lotus grown in the rocks. This lotus
flower is called Braham Kanwal. Generally the lotus
flowers blooms in water, but when we see it, in the
rocks, we are astonished to see such a miracle of the
nature.
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The lake, fed by springs and
waterfalls, is cold. Until mid June, all but a
narrow margin of water along the shore is covered
by ice. The men bathe outside after removing their
clothes beneath a shelter. For women there is a
separate enclosure inside the gurdwara
itself: a bath fed by water which flows from
Hemkunt and then cascades down the slope toward
Gobind Dham. Most enter the frigid water slowly,
utter a prayer, then take a series of brisk dips
before scampering back to shore. Some pause for a
moment to have photos taken to preserve the event.
Local youths are on hand to photograph, for a fee,
those without cameras.
The water of the lake is holy water.
It is referred to as amrit (nectar) or jal (holy water).
Shops along the route sell plastic bottles which
visitors fill when they reach Hemkunt. Later, after the
congregational Ardas has been said People like to
take some parshad (consecrated food)
presented by one of the granthi, Sometimes they are
given to friends and relations so that those who could
not make the journey can feel a spiritual connection
with the sacred place, symbolized by the material
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Two congregational services are held
daily at Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib, the first at ten
o'clock and the second at one o'clock. Both centre
around the Ardas (the Sikh standard prayer) and the
reading of the daily hukamnama (the verse at the top of
the left hand page of the Guru Granth Sahib when the
book is opened at random; understood to be the command
of the Guru for the day). Often, visitors who can sing
kirtan seat themselves behind tabla (drums), harmonium
(organs), and microphones to sing before the assembled
crowd. Their music and voices are broadcast outside of
the gurdwara over loudspeakers, and echo across the
surface of the water and off of the surrounding rock
walls. Before the group prayer, set shabads are sung by
the whole of the congregation. Then the granthi takes
the microphone, welcomes the congregation to Hemkunt
Sahib, and explains the significance of their darshan
and ishnan. He relates the story of Hemkunt as it was
told in Guru Gobind Singh's autobiography. He then
sings, accompanied by all, another shabad as he unfurls
donated rumalas over the Guru Granth Sahib, then he
moves to stand before it to begin the Ardas.
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The devotees who go
towards the seven peaks, they describe that there grow
two other varieties of the lotus known as Shiv Kanwal
and Vishnu Kanwal. Those are different in size and
colour. These flowers can bear the very acute cold
weather.
The atmosphere around
the Hemkunt Sahib is very pleasant and charming. There
grows a velvet type of grass, which makes a man very
comfortable and peaceful when one sleeps on it. In the
pleasant weather the pilgrims enjoy while walking on
this grass.
Those people who stay
at night in this valley they tell that during night very
peculiar and strange sounds are heard.
Now Hemkunt Sahib is
not a myth but a reality. The Hemkunt-Trust has
constructed pacca roads and magnificent Gurdwaras for
the help of the devotees..
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Some devotees have made it a
routine to visit Hemkunt Sahib every year.Thousands of
sewaks have been engaged for helping the pilgrims. The
people have not to stay in costly hotels. Throughout the
journey they get free accommodation and meals.
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Some
people call Sri Nagar or Switzerland as the heavens on
earth but if one has to see the real heaven then he must
visit Hemkunt Sahib.
The Sikhs are very
fortunate that they have two nectar pools to redeem
their impiety. One such pool is at Amritsar. Guru Arjan
Dev Ji writes, " Who takes bath in Nectar pool of
Amritsar, is washed of his all types of sins and vices.”
The second such
Sarovar is at Hemkunt Sahib. Those who take a dip in
that Sarovar also become pure and get salvation. The
perpetual wandering in eighty-four lakh species ends.
It has been seen that Amrit brought from
Hemkunt Sahib never changes its colour or taste. A devotee, who even drinks few drops of it, feels hale and
healthy.
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