Dehradun, May 22 -- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Governor, Lieutenant General (Retd) Gurmeet Singh, on Thursday, flagged off the first batch of pilgrims going to Hemkund Sahib Yatra led by the Panj Pyaras from Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.

During the event, the chief minister and the governor congratulated the first batch of Sangats and wished them a smooth, safe journey.

The governor said that the journey to Hemkund Sahib is a symbol of faith, devotion and belief. The difficult journey of about 18 kilometres to this pilgrimage located at an altitude of 15,000 ft is a test of every devotee's patience, courage and faith.

Recalling the contribution of Sikh Gurus, Governor Singh remarked that "self-respect, courage, sacrif...