Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) allowed six companies to start helicopter services to Kedarnath Dham from October 1. After inspection, the DGCA granted Pawan Hans, Aryan, Thumbi, Crystal Himalaya Heli and Arrow to provide chopper services. Five to six passengers can board the helicopter at a time. On the first day, about 80 passengers travelled to Kedarnath by helicopter.
The chief priest of Kedarnath, Bagesh Ling, told ETV Bharat that the devotees who visit Kedarnath should follow Covid protocols. The doors of the temple which open for devotees at 7 o'clock would remain opened till 2pm. The Dham would close at 3pm and reopen again at 5pm. An evening aarti would be performed everyday at 8pm. While talking about the importance of the temple, Ling said that sins of the seven births of the people who visit Kedarnath will be forgiven.
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government made it mandatory for pilgrims to possess a Covid negative report for the Chardham Yatra. According to the standard operating procedures, registration and e-pass will be mandatory for darshan in the four pilgrimages. A Covid negative report is compulsory unless there is a certificate to prove that both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered.
Earlier, the Nainital High Court lifted a stay on Chardham Yatra and ordered only fully Covid vaccinated people with a mandatory Covid-19 negative report will be allowed for the annual pilgrimage. The court ordered devotees to follow strict Covid-19 protocols and limited the number of visitors too.
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