Char Dham Yatra 2023: Age And Health Restrictions To Be Followed For The Char Dham Journey

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The Char Dham pilgrimage is indeed a tough proposition for any traveller with health issues and general physical weaknesses. While Yamunotri, the very first one in the list, is the toughest of all in terms of trekking and otherwise, the Kedarnath has proved to be more challenging than Badrinath for the pilgrims.

Medically fit persons can travel here without any issues. However, certain age groups and certain health restrictions limit your chances of travel to these Four Dhams. There is no particular age limit for Char Dham Yatra. But, due to the high altitudes and breathing difficulties, the journey is recommended only for people between 7-65 years of age.

Age restrictions are applied only to safeguard the health of the pilgrims. Pregnant ladies, Infants & pilgrims less than 10 years & above 65 years are advised against travelling to Char Dham. Entry of people to Char Dham is now regulated as the Government of Uttarakhand has limited the number of people intending to visit the Char dham regions. A maximum of 15,000 pilgrims at Badrinath, 12,000 at Kedarnath, 7,000 at Gangotri and 4,000 at Yamunotri will be allowed on a daily basis.

Badrinath

One can journey to Badrinath either through motorable roads by vehicles or by trekking or riding on a pony or a palki. As per the sansthan authorities, a specific age limit is not applicable for the pilgrims. But experience of so many says that devotees between 7 to 65 years and not beyond this can travel to Badrinath comfortably.

In case you fall under the other category, it is important to get a health check-up done before you decide on anything. Whatever it is, medical certificate has to be compulsorily shown to the authorities here as Badrinath is beyond 3000 metres of altitude. Thinning Oxygen concentration in the environment can cause shortness of breath which, if not checked, is fatal.

Cars are only allowed up to a motorable point and beyond this, it is up to you to trek the distance to reach the temple. Senior citizens and those who are unable to go on foot, can opt for Ponies and palkis. Senior citizens can avail the helicopter services to commute from Badrinath to Kedarnath. Those unable to trek can also avail this facility.

Kedarnath

Children below ten years of age and older adults above 65 are not permitted to continue their pilgrimage from this point due to the impossibly high elevation. But, if you have a medical fitness certificate you can join the trip even if you are 65.

Kedarnath Temple is also located 3583 meters above sea level, the journey for which, on foot, will take 5-8 hours. Engaging a mule or a palki for travelling will in itself take around 4-5 hours and hence trekking seems impossible for such a long distance. So one has to avail the above facilities.

Gangotri

Gangotri road is hassle free, and hence even buses can commute on these roads. Although this temple allows anyone with a medical certificate without restrictions, it is still wise to travel here if you are above age 7 and within 65 years. This precaution has to be necessarily taken because Gangotri is at an altitude of 3100 meters, on the banks of the Bhagirathi.

Moreover, the temple is located in the heart of a beautiful valley and commonly receives snow and rainfall every now and then. So travelling up the slope is dangerous and it takes otherwise at least 4 hours to commute the distance from Uttarkashi to Gangotri.

Yamunotri

Although located at a high altitude, Yamunotri's roads have a better structure. So person of any age group can participate in the journey with pilgrims in case he is able to provide the medical certificate. "Fit to travel "medical proof is required to be shown at the camps at Uttarkashi.

You will be provided with oxygen cylinders and first aid boxes no doubt but it is wise to carry your own first aid kit. Two types of treks to Char dham yatra are followed by pilgrims, one of which is a 6 km one way trek from Jankichatti to Yamunotri and the other, a 21 km one-way trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. For the not so fit and senior citizens, it is best to make use of the palki, pony, and pithus services that are made available to the pilgrims.