CHAMOLI, Uttarakhand, India—With the arrival of appropriate weather conditions, enthusiasm has been noticed amongst Sikh sangat to visit Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib, associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The daily turnover of the sangat is estimated to be more than 10,000—almost double the number compared to previous years.
The facilitate the Sikh pilgrims, 9 resting places (Saraa) with 24 hour langar sevices are being provided near Gurdwara Rishikesh Sahib. The saraa can accommodate upto 5,000 sangat members. Gurdwara Rishikesh is the first resting base for the sangat in the yatra. Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust has also opened a free dispensary for the pilgrims.
But with the huge turnover of the sangat, hotel owners and local shopkeepers in the area are taking undue advantage of the pilgrims. With the unavailability of rooms, the sangat is compelled to take rooms in hotels which are charging double and triple their normal rates. The rates of various food items as well as parking lot charges have also been increased. The owners of the horses and ponies which carry the sangat are charging a huge amount of money according to their will. Sadly the Uttarkhand government is not taking appropriate measures to curb price fixing.
Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib will be open for sangat until October 10, 2013.
