Chardham 2022: Preparation

 Preparations

When we think about CharDham Yatra, the first thing that strikes our mind is the difficulty and the challenge to physical and mental fitness, the weather, the roads, and the facilities that may be (not commensurate to our expectations, especially the non-availability of hot water in cold weather), and the very thought that such adventure (of sorts) is usually for the elders after they have completed their familial obligations.

The majority of these notions are a result of overthinking by uninformed minds. It is not at all difficult to reach there, the road condition is perfectly fine. As a part of the Chardham highway, the roads have been widened to 2 lanes since 2014. And moreover, anyone can go there and they will be definitely mesmerized by the heavenly charm of the places they will visit during the Char Dham Yatra. It's quite a tradition to visit these dhams during the summer months, as you can worship the deities in their moola-sthana. Temples are open for 6 months of summer based on the Hindu panchanga.

Chardham Yatra Opening Dates Closing Dates

Yamunotri Temple 3rd May 2022 24th October 2022 (Tentative)

Akshaya Tritiya  Eve of Deepavali

Gangotri Temple 3rd May 2022 25th October 2022 (Tentative)

Akshaya Tritiya Deepavali

Kedarnath Temple 6th May 2022 24th October 2022 (Tentative)

Akshaya Tritiya Eve of Bhai Dooj

Badrinath Temple 8th May 2022 26th October 2022 (Tentative)

Vasantha Panchami / Maharnavami or Bhai Dooj 

Kedarnath (17 km) and Yamunotri (7 km) command arduous trekking. If you are particular about vising Goumukh (17kms) from Gangotri that adds to your 2 days of the itinerary. There are not many facilities for treckers in this stretch of trekking path. Those, unable to undertake the enthralling trek can fly to Kedarnath by helicopter. A multitude of camps, budget and luxury hotels, homestays, and guest houses offer comfortable accommodations en route to CharDhams in Uttarakhand. 

In the beginning, it was only 6 of us on the team, but SriHari joined at the last minute, and accordingly, we had to revise some of the preparations for the trip.

A medical First Aid kit is pretty much mandatory and here is the list along with other items needed for this trip.

1. 3-4 sets of comfortable wear for the entire travel. 

2. One woolen jacket 

3. Poncho for rains 

4. Woolen Cap + Gloves

5. Small Towel for quick access during your travel/trek.

6. Sweat towels are suggested for easy drying. 

7. Winter resistance kind of jacket to withstand more cold. 

8. Cotton -to use it in ears 

9. Torch or headlight which can be recharged using cells 

10. Dry fruits 

11. Sunscreen with SPF 50 based on your skin type 

12. Nonslippery footwear or normal slippers suitable for travel

13. Shoes for trekking

14. One havai slipper to be carried inside the bag.

Medicines

for headache, mountain sickness tablets (please consult a doctor) loose motion, first aid, vomiting, fever, and cold-related ones with the gastric tablet if required.

Allergy (Citrezine) / Diarrhea (Lomotil, LOMOFEN) / Nausea (Avomine) / Cold (Citrazine) / Cough (Strepsils) / Antacid (gelusil tabs) / PainKiller (Moov + hifenac MR) / PainSpray (VOlini) / Headache (Tilinol) / BugSpray (None) / Antibiotic Ointment (Vicco Turmeric, ODOMAS) / Fever (CALPOL, DOLO650)

ENO,  Electral , Enerzal - for replenishing salts during the trek 

HAMS >> Diamox

crêpe rolled bandages.small, medium, and large sterile gauze dressings,  Cotton,

SPo2 meter, thermometer

Facemask

And most important of all the preparation steps: Yatri Registration is mandatory

registrationandtrouristcare.uk.gov.in