The Jammu and Kashmir administration published dos and don’ts for pilgrims ahead of the 43-day annual Amarnath pilgrimage, urging them to “go for a morning walk daily and practice breathing exercises” to keep themselves fit at the high altitudes, reported Asian News International (ANI).
While specifying precautionary measures, as per the report, Principal Secretary to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Nitishwar Kumar said that devotees should go on a morning walk, and do breathing exercises, must keep their warm clothes, food items and keep themselves hydrated.
The remarks by Nitishwar Kumar, came after over 90 pilgrims lost their lives during the Char Dam Yatra in Uttarakhand since it began on 3 May this year, due to heart attack, mountain sickness and other reasons.
Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Nitishwar Kumar said, “The pilgrims who have done their registrations and are planning to do the same, must do the morning or evening walk for nearly 4 to 5 hours daily. This is a necessity to keep oneself fit as one comes at a very high altitude. The holy cave is at 12,700 ft while you do have to cross 14,000 or 15,000 ft in your way. Also, practice deep breathing exercises as there are oxygen shortages at such high altitudes.”
The principal secretary advised pilgrims to bring warm clothing as a preventive step, citing the region’s occasional drop in temperature during rains. “The temperature dips to nearly 5 degrees when it rains during the yatra. So do bring your warm clothes with you keeping this in mind. Do bring a walking stick, jacket and eatables. Keep hydrating yourself to avoid dehydration,” he said, as per ANI.
Specifically, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the Amarnath Yatra, among other topics, at a recent important meeting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The Yatra is set to start on 30 June 2022 and conclude on 11 August 2022. (ANI)
