The journey to Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has brought about moderate hardship, prompting regulations in order to secure the pilgrimage and ensure its seamless progress. After the death of eleven people since this journey began on 10th May 2024, the government has sounded an alarm on the necessity for proper health check-ups and compliance with set standards.
Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey of Garhwal disclosed that the deceased individuals were fifty and above and had existing medical complications. It was emphasized by him that during medical checks at camps, pilgrims should not hide their history of illnesses. When one is at an elevation where the shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri are, one may feel uncomfortable because they do not know the place well or because they are not used to such high-altitude weather conditions.
As of the 14th of May, there were 26.73 lakh online registrations and 1.24 lakh more in the offline channels. In response, administrators have moved to streamline this movement and also safeguard the lives of pilgrims. Due to insufficient accommodation capacities in places holding these shrines, there’s a need to cap the number of people visiting these sites, particularly Yamunotri and Kedarnath whose access roads are not only limited but also very difficult.
The administration has also tackled issues with pilgrims travelling before their scheduled dates, as evidenced by a viral video showing overcrowded conditions on the Yamunotri route. Measures include instructing district magistrates to enhance crowd control and informing pilgrims about their schedules via bulk messages. Tour operators face permit suspensions if they violate these regulations.
Additionally, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi announced a temporary halt on VIP darshans at all Char Dham shrines until May 31. This decision addresses the substantial rush of devotees and aims to streamline the pilgrimage process. Offline registrations in Haridwar and Rishikesh are also suspended until May 19 to manage the crowds better.
To mitigate congestion, videography and the creation of social media reels within a 50-meter radius of the temples are banned. This move comes after reports that such activities were causing unnecessary gatherings, hindering the flow of pilgrims.
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Prior registration remains mandatory, and pilgrims are urged to adhere strictly to their assigned dates. Health guidelines from the Uttarakhand Health Department must be followed, particularly by elderly pilgrims with medical histories.
In the first six days of the yatra, more than 3.34 lakh devotees have visited the shrines showing that measures that are necessary for a safe and efficient pilgrimage must be imposed. Keeping the health and safety of all pilgrims at priority, the state government of India will continue to provide services that make their journey easier or pilgrimages less stressful.
