Important Government Guidelines to Follow During Adi Kailash Yatra

Situated in Pithoragarh, Adi Kailash is a sacred peak that is visited by innumerable devotees every year. This sacred mountain is the home of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Adi Kailash Yatra is one of the most sacred pilgrimages that satisfy the soul of each devotee.

Chhota Kailash is located near the Indo-China border, which is a sensitive region. Due to this, the Uttarakhand Tourism Department and the Government of India have specified some rules for the Adi Kailash devotees. This ensures the safety of the travelers and also protects the beauty of this region. If you are a pilgrim who is looking for a meaningful and safe spiritual journey to Adi Kailash, you must follow the rules and guidelines mentioned below:

Registration Rules

Before registering for the Adi Kailash Yatra, you must go through the eligibility criteria. Knowing about it will help you register with your journey. You must collect information about the age requirement, the requirement of physical fitness, and the necessary documents, such as a medical certificate and identity proof, for your yatra. The registration rules for Adi Kailash Yatra are mentioned below:

• People who embark on this yatra must register with the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) and the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB).
• The pilgrims also need a valid passport, an aadhaar card, and a voter ID to register for the Adi Kailash Yatra.
• You should also get a medical fitness certificate from a Government-approved hospital for the registration of this journey.
• The permit charges and registration fees will depend on the route and facilities you have chosen for this spiritual voyage.

You can register for the Adi Kailash journey through online or offline mode. A few documents that you will require for the registration of this pilgrimage include your ID proof, such as your passport and Aadhaar card, passport-size photos, a medical fitness certificate, etc. However, you must register in advance as each batch has a limited number of seats. If you register early, your yatra will be less stressful and convenient. Plus, you can organize it perfectly.

Age and Health Guidelines for the Yatra

The pilgrims who want to visit Adi Kailash must follow age and health guidelines before registering for the yatra. Some of these guidelines are as follows:

• Adi Kailash Yatra is open for people who are aged between 18 to 65 years.
• The pilgrims must be medically fit at the time of the yatra as they need to bear the cold weather and go on long treks while visiting Adi Kailash.
• People who are struggling with any serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure or asthma, are not allowed to undertake the yatra.
• Children below 18 years are not allowed to embark on the journey. Pregnant women are also restricted from this pilgrimage.
• All pilgrims are required to obtain a medical fitness certificate from a doctor before embarking on the yatra.

All pilgrims must abide by the age and health guidelines of the Government. The Adi Kailash region is a remote area, and it is extremely difficult to explore this area. The oxygen levels are low in this area. Thus, you must fulfill the health requirements specified by the Government.

Maintaining good health before the yatra is necessary due to the following reasons:

• There is a great risk of altitude sickness in the Adi Kailash region. This condition may lead to other life-threatening conditions, such as High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).
• The yatra requires you to trek on rugged and rocky terrain. Thus, you need good cardiovascular endurance for the yatra. Thus, you need to be medically fit to undertake this journey. This will ensure a safe journey for you.

Environmental and Safety Guidelines

If you are a pilgrim, you need to follow the environmental and safety guidelines for the yatra. This will make it more meaningful. You need to minimize waste during the yatra. Apart from that, you should also dress modestly. Also, be prepared to carry layered or waterproof clothing for your yatra.

You also need to prepare yourself for this difficult journey. It is advisable to get acclimatization training before the yatra. You can do this by acclimatizing to low altitude areas. You should also respect the flora and fauna of this region. If you want to roam here safely, do not forget to hire the local guides and carry a first-aid kit with the required medicines. This will help you explore this region safely.

Some of the environmental and safety guidelines that you should abide by are as follows:

• Stay away from any kind of plastic items during your Adi Kailash tour package, as the Government strictly prohibits the usage of plastic here. However, you should carry your cloth bags and refillable water bottles.
• Cutting the trees and polluting the lakes and rivers is strictly prohibited. Thus, you should stay away from doing these activities.
• If you are a trekker, you must avoid risky terrain and tread only on the designated trails.
• If you are going in a group, you must stay with your group members. Do not opt for solo trekking, as that can be dangerous for you.
• In case of an emergency, you can contact emergency rescue teams and first-aid centers. You will find them en route to the Adi Kailash.
• Make sure to preserve the sanctity of the region by not throwing waste here. Carry a small bag with you and collect all your waste.
• You should also not damage the flora and fauna of this region.
• Carry any medicine for altitude sickness for any medical emergency.
• Keep yourself hydrated during the Adi Kailash tour. Make sure to drink enough water throughout your yatra.

Travel Permits and Permissions

It is important to get all types of permissions and permits before embarking on the Adi Kailash Yatra. If you are an Indian, you must obtain passport-size photos, a government ID, a medical fitness certificate, and an affidavit for the yatra. Apart from these documents, you must also carry the required permits to enter this region. You will also find multiple check posts where the officers will verify your ID and permits. If you are on the Adi Kailash journey, you need to consider the following things to make your yatra safe and successful:

• Make sure to perform thorough research to know about any checkpoints or sites where you will need to show your permit. You can get adequate information about these places by contacting the government or any travel agency that is offering this yatra to the pilgrims. Moreover, you can also check the websites of Uttarakhand’s tourism industry to get information about these checkpoints.
• You should contact the local authorities, such as the forest department or the district administration, to know about the required permits. The officials of these departments will inform you about the important permits that you need for your trip. They will provide you with valuable information about the required permits or any fees that you need to give to the officials.

Once you are aware of the permits, you can obtain them for your yatra.

Some security rules and permits are as follows:

• You must carry original IDs and permits during your yatra.
• Make sure to carry an Inner Line Permit, which is near the Indo-China border. You must possess this permit before embarking on the Adi Kailash Yatra.
• The documents of the pilgrims are checked at multiple points during the journey. Thus, you should possess these documents during the Adi Kailash Yatra.

Rules Regarding Accommodation and Food

Just like the safety and environmental guidelines, you will also need to follow the rules regarding food and accommodation during your yatra. You will find various staying locations during the yatra, such as local lodges, tents, and KMVN guest houses. However, you should book your accommodation as early as possible, as the accommodation options are limited in this region.

You will get tasty food during the yatra. However, you will only get vegetarian food here. Thus, carrying non-vegetarian food and alcohol is strictly prohibited here. You can also not smoke here.

Route and Transport Guidelines

During your Adi Kailash journey, you must use different means of transport to get there. The pilgrims can travel via ponies, trekking, and vehicles during the yatra. If you want to hire guides, you must only hire the licensed ones. It is advisable to hire vehicles that are approved by the Government. All travelers must report at various check-posts during the yatra. Do not travel in the dark areas, as that will be quite dangerous for you.

Emergency and Helpline Services

Uttarakhand Government offers a 24/7 helpline facility for the pilgrims. The rescue facilities and medical aid centers help the pilgrims handle any emergency, such as an accident or high-altitude sickness. ITBP and the Army offer assistance to the pilgrims in emergencies.

If there is any emergency, you can contact the army camps and take the services of a doctor from there. The medical staff available at the army camps helps in transporting the patient to a hospital in Dharchula. The pilgrims can also take travel insurance before embarking on the Adi Kailash Yatra.

If you are travelling in a group, you must carry a first-aid kit and an oximeter. If any member of your group experiences shortness of breath, you can use your first-aid kit to tackle this problem. If you want to avoid this situation, you must get acclimatization training before going on the yatra.

Code of Conduct for the Pilgrims

The pilgrims need to follow a code of conduct during their yatra. This preserves the sanctity of the Adi Kailash Yatra. These codes of conduct are mentioned below:

• Make sure to respect the temples, traditions, and local customs of this region. You will be taken to the remote villages during your yatra. So, paying respect to the customs of these villages is necessary. Adhering to the cultural norms of this place means that you are paying respect to the sacred sites of this yatra. Apart from this, you should also maintain discipline while visiting the religious landmarks and temples.
• Dress modestly while visiting the holy sites during your yatra. Wearing the right clothes at a religious site maintains the decorum of this place. This helps the pilgrims in mixing with the local environment of this place. Apart from that, you should also stay away from smoking, alcohol, and demonstrating disrespectful behavior during the yatra. If you behave irresponsibly, it will disrupt the sanctity and peace of spiritual places.
• Make sure not to capture the photos of this region. As the Adi Kailash region is a sensitive area, photography is prohibited here. These restrictions help in protecting the security of the nation. However, if you still want to capture the photos of this place, you should seek permission from the concerned authorities first.

If you follow all the above codes of conduct, you can easily preserve the traditions, culture, and natural beauty of this place. It also helps in making your Adi Kailash Yatra a peaceful journey. By demonstrating good behavior, you can communicate with the local people of this region. This helps you know about their customs and traditions.

Adi Kailash Yatra Rules and Guidelines: Conclusion

Adi Kailash Yatra is a life-changing journey. It offers you a spiritual awakening that will help you decide the course of your life. This spiritual journey not only offers you spiritual growth, but also takes you to the challenging paths of the remote villages. However, if you want to make your yatra more meaningful, you must follow the guidelines and rules set by the Indian Government.

Adi Kailash Yatra is a holy spot as it connects you to Lord Shiva. If you prepare for this yatra properly and abide by the rules, it will be an unforgettable experience for you.