
Chardham Yatra 2025: Must-have essentials to stay safe in rain and snow
Sturdy, Waterproof Trekking Shoes: Good grip is vital for slippery, uneven paths; anti-slip soles are recommended for monsoon and snow.Extra Pair of Socks: Keep feet dry and warm, especially after walking in wet conditions.RAIN AND SNOW PROTECTIONRaincoat or Poncho: Lightweight and foldable for sudden showers.Umbrella: Compact, for short walks and temple visits.Waterproof Backpack and Rain Cover: Protects your belongings from getting soaked.Plastic Covers for Electronics: Keep phones and cameras safe from water damage.HEALTH AND SAFETY ESSENTIALSFirst Aid Kit: Include personal medicines, antiseptics, pain relievers, bandages, and rehydration salts.Altitude Sickness Medication: Consult your doctor and carry prescribed medicines for high-altitude travel.Personal Medical Certificate and Documents: Required for registration and emergencies.Walking Stick: Provides stability on steep and slippery trails, especially during rain or snow.Hot Water Bag: Useful for warmth in extreme cold (especially in winter months).OTHER PRACTICAL ITEMSadvertisementWater Bottle and Hydration Pack: Staying hydrated is critical at high altitudes.Nutritious Snacks: Carry energy bars, dry fruits, and light snacks for energy on the go.Sunscreen and Sunglasses: Protect against UV rays, which are strong at high altitudes, even in cloudy weather.ID Proof and Yatra Registration Slip: Mandatory for travel and emergencies.Power Bank: For charging devices, as electricity may be unreliable in remote areas.Lightweight Luggage: Especially important for seniors and helicopter travelers.SPECIAL TIPS FOR RAIN AND SNOWAvoid Monsoon Travel: If possible, plan your yatra outside the peak monsoon (June–September) to reduce landslide and road closure risks.Check Daily Weather Alerts: Stay updated on weather conditions and follow local advisories.Travel Insurance: Consider insurance that covers weather-related delays and emergencies.

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Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Uttarakhand to set crowd management system at Kainchi Dham
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First Post
4 days ago
- First Post
Oman now offers flexible foreign resident cards: All you need to know
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Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Tripping up
When travel enthusiasts forget to read the newspaper Kamala is a travel enthusiast. She constantly wants to be going somewhere. I'm very happy pottering around the house. Rab ne bana di jodi as Mark Twain once said. People believe anything that Mark Twain has supposedly said. Anyway, coming back to my travails, Kamala wanted to climb a mountain or plumb the depths of the Mariana Trench. 'Let's do Char Dham Yatra!' she said cheerfully. I'm a paunchy ageing Indian man – one Dham would be a challenge. She countered my objections with offers of helicopters, ponies, prayers. We would certainly need prayers, but more during the journey. Given the crashing helicopters, roads being washed away by flash floods, environmental disasters unfolding out of unplanned tunnels and mountains of garbage. The green of nature, which tourists look forward to, has been replaced by the same tourists with green plastic bottles. And chips packets still filled with the addictive promise of health hazards. Still, wife was hell-bent on a holiday. Kashmir felt a bit dicey at the moment. Especially for husbands. So did Mizoram. Manipur was not being discussed – by anyone. Several countries were at war with each other and it was still confusing whose side we were taking. Russia was an option but if we put in an application to go there, would we be adding fuel to the fire? China was out of the question, except if we wanted to buy cheap lights for Diwali or plastic flags for Independence Day. Maldives was our friend again but the trolls had not approved a holiday or a hug there for the Common Man. Ireland was discriminating against browner people – a tradition that we find fair and lovely here too. Cambodia. Malaysia. Egypt. Afghanistan, Iran, Ukraine. Her list was endless and disassociated from geopolitics. You must read the newspaper more often Kamala, I suggested. Instead of only listening to what the nation demands to know. As she scrolled for new potential holiday spots and drooled over bungee jumping and snorkeling, Kamala complained that I had no sense of adventure. I object. I get excitement driving on the roads with unpredictable potholes and puddles after the incessant rains. Or walking down a footpath with open manholes and uneven pavement stones. I'm tripping – both literally and figuratively. I don't need to travel to get my adventure or adrenaline rush. My taxes pay for them. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.