Religious significance The holy lake is associated with the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. In his autobiographical poem ‘Bichittar Natak’, the Guru wrote that in his previous life he meditated on the shore of a lake that was surrounded by seven snow-capped mountains. The banks of the Hemkund Lake is believed to be this place. A dip in the waters of the lake is considered sacred by the Sikhs.
The star-shaped gurudwara (Sri Hemkund sahib) located on the banks of the lake is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the Sikhs.Hemkund is also sacred for the Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, Hemkund is where Lakshman (Lord Rama’s brother) did his penance. The mythological name for Hemkund is ‘Lokpal’. There is a temple dedicated to Laxman on the banks of the lake.The river flowing through this valley along the path from Gobindghat to Gobinddham is called Lakshman Ganga. |