Heavy snowfall was reported at Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib in Uttarakhand on Thursday evening, just a day before the conclusion of the annual pilgrimage. The shrine, situated at an altitude of more than 15,000 feet, will close its doors for the winter season after 2 pm on October 10.
Bhai Sewa Singh, CEO of the Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, said heavy snowfall occurred overnight at the gurdwara and the surrounding high-altitude hills, covering the shrine and nearby areas in a blanket of white.
Machines had to be deployed to clear the accumulated snow and maintain the route for the convenience of pilgrims. According to the trust, the weather was clear on Friday.
Nearly 3.75 Lakh Devotees Visit Shrine
The annual pilgrimage began on May 20 this year. Since then, approximately 3.75 lakh devotees have visited Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib to pay their respects.
The yatra will conclude on October 10, and the management committee has completed the necessary arrangements for the closing ceremony.
Closing Ceremony Schedule Announced
According to the organisers, the recitation of Sukhmani Sahib will begin at 10 am on Saturday, followed by Gurbani kirtan at 11 am. The concluding Ardas is scheduled for noon.
After the prayers, the sacred saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji will be taken in a Nagar Kirtan, led by the Panj Pyare, to the designated resting place, or Sukhasan site.
Members of the Sikh Light Infantry band of the Indian Army will also participate in the ceremony and perform devotional musical compositions. A large gathering of devotees is expected to attend the closing event.
Pilgrimage Was Suspended Earlier Due to Snowfall
This is not the first spell of heavy snowfall during the current pilgrimage season. The area has experienced heavy snowfall on two previous occasions as well.
Following an earlier spell of snowfall, the yatra had been suspended for two days. With the annual pilgrimage now nearing its scheduled conclusion, preparations for the winter closure are complete.