The sacred shrine of Hemkund Sahib in Chamoli district will reopen for devotees on May 23, 2026, marking the beginning of this year’s pilgrimage season. The date was finalised after a meeting between Narendra Jeet Singh Bindra, president of the Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, and Anand Vardhan, Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand. During the discussion, preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage season and prevailing weather conditions were reviewed before deciding to open the shrine on May 23.
The trust conducts the annual pilgrimage in coordination with the state government. To assist pilgrims, the trust provides free accommodation and meals at its dharamshalas located in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Joshimath, Govindghat and Ghangaria. A langar is also served at Hemkund Sahib, although overnight stay is not permitted at the shrine due to high altitude and limited facilities.
Officials said the decision to open the shrine slightly earlier this year was influenced by lower snowfall compared to previous years, which has made weather conditions more favourable for an early start to the pilgrimage. However, authorities also noted that weather in the Himalayan region can remain unpredictable.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary assured full support from the state government to ensure safe and smooth arrangements for pilgrims visiting Hemkund Sahib and the Char Dham shrines.
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Located at an altitude of over 15,000 feet in the Himalayas, Hemkund Sahib holds deep spiritual significance for followers of Sikhism. Every year, thousands of devotees from across India and abroad undertake the challenging trek to the shrine, making it one of the most important Sikh pilgrimage sites.
