The State Government has finalised the start of Char Dham Yatra for residents of Uttarakhand from July 1. On Monday, the Char Dham Devsthanam Management Board issued the standard operating procedure (SOP) for those wanting to undertake the pilgrimage. Till further orders, only the residents of Uttarakhand will be granted conditional permission to undertake the pilgrimage.

According to the guidelines, those with any symptoms related to Covid-19 should not apply for the permission to undertake the pilgrimage. Those living in containment zone and buffer zone will not be allowed.

Further the Uttarakhand residents who have returned from outside the state will have to fulfill the quarantine conditions before undertaking the pilgrimage. It is mandatory for pilgrims to register on the board’s website https://badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in and obtain the Yatra e-pass to visit the temple of their choice. The validity of the e-pass will be for two days starting from the day of the issuance of the pass. The Yatra e-pass will be null and void once the pilgrim has visited the temple.

Further, the e-pass will be valid only for visiting the specified shrine and not enable the pilgrim to visit any other place near the temple. Further, the pilgrims will be allowed to stay only one night at the pilgrimage site.

This duration can be extended with the permission of the local administration in case of health concerns or other emergencies. People wanting to go to the pilgrimage centres to repair/maintain their properties will be allowed to stay more than one day with the permission of the local administration. In addition to this, wearing masks, using sanitisers and maintaining social distancing will be mandatory at the pilgrimage centres.

The pilgrims will not be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum and the space adjoining it in the shrines for the health safety of the priests and devotees.

The visitors will have to wash their hands and feet before entering the shrine.

The other aspects mentioned in the Central and State government advisories related to Covid-19 will also have to be observed by the pilgrims.