First batch of pilgrims leave for Hemkund Sahib in U''khand

Gopeshwar (U'khand), May 24

With the portals of Hemkund Sahib scheduled to open tomorrow, Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj on Wednesday flagged off the first batch of Sikh pilgrims from Govindghat to the Himalayan shrine.

The minister appealed the batch of 5,000 pilgrims to maintain cleanliness at the shrine's surroundings.

"The arrangements have been improved this time for pilgrims travelling to the shrine," he said.

The pilgrims, who left today, will make a night halt at Ghanghariya and start for Hemkund Sahib in the morning.

The Himalayan Gurudwara is scheduled to open at noon tomorrow, Seva Singh, a Hemkund Sahib official, said, adding the shrine remains closed in the winters due to heavy snowfall in the region. — PTI