Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra records 32 deaths in 19 days
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has turned somber this year, with 32 pilgrims losing their lives in just 19 days: most on the route to Kedarnath Temple, which opened on April 22.
The pilgrimage drew huge crowds, kicking off on April 19 with Gangotri and Yamunotri, and Badrinath joining soon after.
Uttarakhand sets up hospitals, deploys doctors
Kedarnath saw the biggest turnout with over 340,000 visitors, while Badrinath welcomed nearly 200,000.
Many deaths have been linked to heart attacks and altitude sickness. These temples sit around 3,000 meters high.
To help keep everyone safe, the state has set up hospitals along the route, sent out specialist doctors, and advised older or at-risk pilgrims to get checked before starting out.
Carrying health devices like pulse oximeters is also recommended for anyone making the journey this year.