Char dham Yatra to begin from September 18 - Here`re 5 things to know before you plan the tour

Only fully COVID vaccinated people with a mandatory COVID-19 negative report will be allowed for the annual pilgrimage.

Dehradun (Uttarakhand): For pilgrims who wants to go on the Chardham Yatra good news awaited. On September 16, the Nainital High Court lifted the ban on Chardham Yatra and allowed only fully Covid vaccinated people with a mandatory COVID-19 negative report for the annual pilgrimage. The court ordered devotees to follow strict COVID-19 protocols and limited the number of visitors too. 

The High court said that only 800 devotees will be allowed at Kedarnath Dham, 1200 at Badrinath Dham, 600 at Gangotri and 400 devotees at Yamunotri Dham in a day.The High Court's ruling came on the affidavit filed by the Uttarakhand government on September 8 to start the yatra.

On June 28, the High Court had put a stay on the yatra until further orders on the basis of lack of health services in Chardham Yatra districts, lack of adequate preparations to control COVID-19 infection, shortage of doctors and the report of the district administration.The Chardham Yatra, which includes a visit to the Kedarnath temple, attracts lakhs of tourists and devotees every year from across the country and abroad. 

Here are some of the main points:

- Visitors going for the Char Dham Yatra must mandatorily carry a negative COVID-19 report  

- Pilgrims also have to carry a Covid vaccination certificate for travelling to the holy sites.

- The court has directed that no one will be allowed to take a bath in any of the springs around the temples

-  Police force will be deployed as per requirement during the Char Dham Yatra in Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts.

- There will be a cap on visitors - 800 devotees will be allowed at Kedarnath Dham, 1200 at Badrinath Dham, 600 at Gangotri and 400 devotees at Yamunotri Dham in a day.

(With ANI inputs)