Mussoorie, May 10 -- Preparations for the annual Hemkund Sahib Yatra, set to begin on May 25, are in full swing, with the Indian Army personnel working tirelessly to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage for devotees, officials said. "Despite the challenging weather, Indian Army soldiers have successfully carved a path through massive snowdrifts to reach the Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara. Upon arrival, the team offered prayers and opened the path leading to the shrine's portal," said NS Bindra, president of the Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara Trust, which manages the yatra. Bindra noted that significant progress has been made. "The pedestrian path, including the stairway, has been cleared of snow, and work is underway to clear the alternative route used by mules," he said. "For the Shri Hemkund Sahib Yatra, army personnel, in coordination with the Trust's Sewadars, have been working diligently for several weeks. Their primary objective is to clear snow-covered paths, secure the travel route, and provide all necessary facilities for pilgrims. Their efforts are a testament to their unwavering courage, discipline, and patriotism," Bindra added. Snow clearance has also been completed near the Langar Hall (community kitchen) at the shrine. However, worsening afternoon weather is creating challenges for personnel working on the snow removal. "Despite these difficulties, soldiers continue their efforts to clear the Aastha Path," said Sewa Singh, the manager of the Gurdwara at Hemkund Sahib. According to Trust officials, snow has so far been cleared from four key bends along the pilgrimage route. Last year over 262,000 pilgrims visited Hemkund Sahib . In 2023., over 240,000 pilgrims visited the shrine. In 2022, 247,000 pilgrims visited Hemkund shrine. Over 10,000 pilgrims visited the shrine in 2021, compared to around 8500 in 2020. In 2019, 240,000 pilgrims had visited the shrine. The pilgrims take a trek from Pulna, three kilometres from Govind Ghat to Hemkund Sahib. After 6-kilometre steep climb, they stay overnight at Ghangria from where they again make their way for Hemkund Sahib on foot. This shrine situated at a height of over 15,000 feet above sea level, has emerged as a popular centre of Sikh pilgrimage which is visited by lakhs of devotees from all over the world every summer. Hemkund is inaccessible because of snow from October to April. A 1,100-metre climb on a 6-kilometre stone-paved path leads to the Hemkund Sahib shrine....