Uttarakhand heritage tourism: How to prep yourself for the Char Dham Yatra

The Uttarakhand government has issued an advisory in 12 languages, besides writing to Health Secretaries of all the states requesting extensive publicity on health check-ups, vigilance and medical preparations to be made before the Char Dham Yatra.

This year’s pilgrimage will start on April 30; ten days before it started in 2024. The doors of the Kedarnath Dham will open on May 2 while those of Badrinath Dham will be thrown open two days later. Access to Gangotri and Yamunotri will be possible on April 30.

Besides the mandatory health check-ups before the journey, the advisory includes a list of do-s for pilgrims of the Char Dham Yatra. This includes regular walking exercises, doing pranayam and other heart-related exercises at least two months in advance.

Another suggestion is to keep essential medication (and equipment like thermometers and pulse oximeters) at hand.

Specialist doctors, medical staff, oxygen cylinders and medicines will be available at multiple points on the route. Keep your own doctor’s number at hand, too.

All pilgrims will have to register on the Health and Tourism Registration App.

Diet advice includes intake of adequate water, a balanced diet and light, hot beverages. Pilgrims have been encouraged to make use of the screening centres and medical relief posts, approaching these immediately if they feel any discomfort.

Appropriate clothing includes dressing up in light, layered clothes, woollens and gloves. Umbrellas should also be part of the mandatory packing.

Health Secretaries of all states have been requested to do extensive publicity regarding medical preparations before the journey as high-altitude pilgrims have harsh climates, low oxygen levels and difficult route conditions. They should thus come with the necessary health tests and necessary preparations.

The pre-yatra health check-up cannot be more than seven days old.

Also, despite their level of fitness, pilgrims have been advised to rest for five to 10 minutes every one to two hours on the Kedarnath and Yamunotri routes.

Tourism