Chardham Yatra 2025: Must-have essentials to stay safe in rain and snow
The Chardham Yatra, covering Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, takes you through the unpredictable weather and rugged terrain of the Himalayas. To stay safe and comfortable in rain and snow, careful packing and preparation are crucial.Here's a comprehensive list of must-have essentials, based on the latest recommendations for 2025.LAYERING IS KEYThermal Wear: Essential for cold mornings and nights at high altitudes.Fleece Jackets or Woolen Sweaters: Lightweight but warm, ideal for layering.Windproof & Waterproof Outer Layer: A raincoat, poncho, or windcheater protects against rain, snow, and cold winds.Comfortable Trekking Pants: Avoid denim; opt for quick-dry or woolen pants that dry fast and retain warmth.Woolen Socks, Gloves, Beanies, and Scarves: Crucial for retaining body heat, especially in Kedarnath and during snow.Extra Layers for Kids and Elders: Children and seniors are more susceptible to cold, so pack extra warm clothing.advertisementFOOTWEAR: SAFETY AND COMFORT
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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India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Chardham Yatra 2025: Must-have essentials to stay safe in rain and snow
The Chardham Yatra, covering Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, takes you through the unpredictable weather and rugged terrain of the Himalayas. To stay safe and comfortable in rain and snow, careful packing and preparation are a comprehensive list of must-have essentials, based on the latest recommendations for IS KEYThermal Wear: Essential for cold mornings and nights at high Jackets or Woolen Sweaters: Lightweight but warm, ideal for & Waterproof Outer Layer: A raincoat, poncho, or windcheater protects against rain, snow, and cold Trekking Pants: Avoid denim; opt for quick-dry or woolen pants that dry fast and retain Socks, Gloves, Beanies, and Scarves: Crucial for retaining body heat, especially in Kedarnath and during Layers for Kids and Elders: Children and seniors are more susceptible to cold, so pack extra warm SAFETY AND COMFORT Sturdy, Waterproof Trekking Shoes: Good grip is vital for slippery, uneven paths; anti-slip soles are recommended for monsoon and Pair of Socks: Keep feet dry and warm, especially after walking in wet AND SNOW PROTECTIONRaincoat or Poncho: Lightweight and foldable for sudden Compact, for short walks and temple Backpack and Rain Cover: Protects your belongings from getting Covers for Electronics: Keep phones and cameras safe from water AND SAFETY ESSENTIALSFirst Aid Kit: Include personal medicines, antiseptics, pain relievers, bandages, and rehydration Sickness Medication: Consult your doctor and carry prescribed medicines for high-altitude Medical Certificate and Documents: Required for registration and Stick: Provides stability on steep and slippery trails, especially during rain or 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 Snacks: Carry energy bars, dry fruits, and light snacks for energy on the and Sunglasses: Protect against UV rays, which are strong at high altitudes, even in cloudy Proof and Yatra Registration Slip: Mandatory for travel and Bank: For charging devices, as electricity may be unreliable in remote Luggage: Especially important for seniors and helicopter TIPS FOR RAIN AND SNOWAvoid Monsoon Travel: If possible, plan your yatra outside the peak monsoon (June–September) to reduce landslide and road closure Daily Weather Alerts: Stay updated on weather conditions and follow local Insurance: Consider insurance that covers weather-related delays and emergencies.
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Karnataka man on Char Dham Yatra dies on way to Kedarnath
Agency: PTI Last Updated: New Tehri (Ukd), Jun 4 (PTI) An elderly pilgrim from Karnataka who had come to Uttarakhand on the Char Dham Yatra died of a heart attack here on Wednesday, police said. Ravi Kumar (76) from Bengaluru was going to Kedarnath in a bus after visiting Gangotri when he suffered a heart attack near Koti Gad on the Rishikesh-Gangotri highway, Sub-Inspector (SI) Jugal Bhatt said. After Kumar fell unconscious, the bus driver informed police. The septuagenarian was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The body has been sent to the district hospital in Baurari for post-mortem, the SI said. Police said Kumar's family members have been informed. PTI COR ALM DIV DIV
News18
5 days ago
- News18
Kedarnath Yatra Generates Rs 200 Crore In A Month Despite 31% Decline In Char Dham Pilgrims
Last Updated: Despite a 31% decline in Char Dham Yatra pilgrims, Kedarnath saw a business boom, generating Rs 200 crore in a month, benefiting hotels, helicopter services, and horse operators Even as concerns mount over a 31 per cent decline in pilgrim footfall across Uttarakhand's Char Dham Yatra this year, the Kedarnath leg of the pilgrimage is witnessing a dramatic upswing in commercial activity, generating business worth an estimated Rs 200 crore in just one month. The Kedarnath Yatra officially began on May 2 with the ceremonial opening of the temple doors to devotees. Since then, over seven lakh pilgrims have braved the treacherous 20-kilometre mountainous trek to reach the revered 11th Jyotirlinga nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. According to local estimates, the hotel industry has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the pilgrimage, raking in nearly Rs 100 crore from bookings and stays. Helicopter services, which offer an aerial alternative to the grueling ascent, have brought in Rs 35 crore, ferrying around 33,000 devotees to Kedarnath by air as of May 31. Horse and mule operators, another critical cog in the pilgrimage wheel, have earned Rs 40.5 crore by transporting 1,39,444 pilgrims along the steep path. Further revenue has come from the state-run Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), which has generated over Rs 3.8 crore through bookings of rest houses and the now-famous meditation cave, popularised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit in 2019. Meanwhile, the often-overlooked Dandi-Kandi services – manual palanquins used by those unable to make the trek – have witnessed a robust revival. With over 29,000 devotees availing these services, they have contributed Rs 1.16 crore to the local economy. More than 7,000 Dandi-Kandi operators are registered this year, highlighting the strong grassroots employment the Yatra continues to support. Yet, these record-breaking business numbers arrive against a backdrop of diminishing pilgrim presence across the broader Char Dham Yatra. According to a report by the Dehradun-based SDC Foundation, the Char Dham Yatra witnessed a 31% decline in pilgrim footfall during the first two weeks this year compared to the same period in 2024. As reported by PTI on May 15, a total of 6,62,446 pilgrims visited the temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri between April 30 and May 13 this year – down from 9,61,302 in the corresponding period last year. Head of the SDC Foundation, Anoop Nautiyal, attributed this steep fall of nearly three lakh pilgrims to military escalations between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April. 'The military escalation between India and Pakistan in recent weeks has undoubtedly impacted public sentiment and travel confidence. There has been a slowdown in inter-state pilgrim movement, especially from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Rajasthan," PTI reported Nautiyal as saying. 'The Char Dham Yatra, being highly dependent on interstate mobility and group travel, has been directly affected," he added. Despite the decline, Nautiyal expressed cautious optimism that the Yatra could regain momentum in the second half of May and early June. 'Last year's data trends showed that the yatra typically peaks during the second fortnight of May and the first fortnight of June. With security conditions expected to stabilise between the two countries, we foresee a surge in footfall in the latter half of the month," he reportedly said. He also urged the Uttarakhand government to act decisively to boost pilgrim confidence. 'We need a similar proactive response in Uttarakhand," he said, citing how the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had successfully launched awareness campaigns, strengthened on-ground facilities, and reassured pilgrims through targeted messaging. The SDC Foundation has further called for urgent implementation of recommendations made in its 2024 report, 'Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra: Pathways to Pilgrimage – Data, Insights, Challenges and Opportunities'. 'We had called for clear protocols on carrying capacity, crowd regulation, environmental safeguards, and real-time communication. Unfortunately, many of these remain unaddressed," Nautiyal noted. First Published: June 02, 2025, 17:36 IST
