Sikh shrine Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara situated in Uttrakhand’s Chamoli district reopened for pilgrims on Friday at 10am following all the necessary precautions for Covid-19. The number of pilgrims has been restricted to 200 per day. The gurdwara usually reopens in May each year, but was delayed this year due to the ongoing pandemic.
In a meeting between the office-bearers of Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara Management Trust and officials of Chamoli district administration, it was finally decided to open the portals on September 4.
Narenderjit Singh Bindra, vice-president of Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, said that 150 pilgrims will visit the holy site on the first day and the majority of the pilgrims are from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra.
Bindra also said that the management trust is ensuring that all the pilgrims follow the Covid-19 containment and safety norms while visiting the shrine.
Guidelines issued
The management trust of Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib released the following guidelines for the 2020’s Yatra:
-Every pilgrim intending to go for darshan this year will have to register at the following link: http://smartcitydehradun.uk.gov.dhcp.in/pravasi-registration
-In the wake of ongoing pandemic, the management trust has asked patients of chest, heart, kidney, asthma, diabetes, and other ailments to avoid the pilgrimage.
-Devotees above 60 years or below 10 years and pregnant women will not be allowed to proceed for pilgrimage this year.
-It will be mandatory for the pilgrims to undergo Antigen Covid-19 test within 72 hours of entering Uttrakhand and only those with negative results will be allowed to proceed for the pilgrimage.
Measures to be observed in the gurdwara
-All pilgrims should wear face mask and covers
-Pilgrims should keep washing their hands and feet with soap inside the gurdwara premises
-All pilgrims have to maintain a distance of six feet
-Used masks/face covers should be disposed properly in marked dustbins
-Spitting shall be strictly prohibited
-Pilgrims must avoid touching any surface or materials inside the gurdwara premises
