Mandatory for pilgrims travelling to Chardham to show Covid negative report

Starting September 18, Chardham Yatra will begin once again. In view of the latest order of the Nainital High Court, the yatra will be conducted as per the Covid rules. On Thursday, the High Court has lifted the ban on Chardham Yatra with some restrictions.

According to the HC order, there is a cap on the daily number of devotees with 800 in Kedarnath Dham, 1000 in Badrinath Dham, 600 in Gangotri and 400 in Yamanotri Dham. The court has asked the police force to be deployed as per the requirement during the Chardham Yatra in Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts. Along with this, devotees will not be allowed to take bath in any of the pools during the journey. It will be mandatory for the pilgrims travelling to Chardham to show the negative report of Covid test. Along with this, it will also be a must to get the Panchkaran done in the Devasthanam Board.

The State Chief Secretary Dr SS Sandhu has instructed all concerned departments to complete preparations for the yatra. According to the Chief Secretary, Chardham is the source of employment and livelihood for lakhs of people in the state. It should be ensured for all the devotees coming to Chardham to wear masks, comply with the standard of physical distance and get sanitisation done. "The High Court has removed the ban on Chardham Yatra keeping in mind the livelihood of local people, better management of the pandemic, improvement in health services, strict adherence to SOP etc. With the commencement of the Yatra, the livelihood of the residents of Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts, including thousands of travel businessmen and pilgrimage priests, will be able to get back on track," said Dilip Jawalkar, Secretary, Tourism Uttarakhand.