Amarnath Yatra Gets Cancelled For Second Year In A Row Due To Covid Pandemic

Last year too, the Amarnath yatra was also cancelled due to the pandemic situation.

Jammu: Amarnath yatra has been cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year too, the yatra was cancelled due to the Coronavirus situation.

This year, the online darshan will be available from June 28 onwards. 'Chadi Mubarak' will be taken to the cave on August 22.

"Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to cancel Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra; all the traditional religious rituals to be performed at the Holy Cave Shrine as per past practice": Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board stated.

Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board added that it will arrange online darshan for devotees worldwide. 

A threadbare discussion was held with the members of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board including Swami Avdheshanand on the present Covid-19 situation before arriving on the decision.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, subsequently held detailed deliberations and directed that devotees be enabled to witness the morning and evening Aarti in virtual mode.

He said that it would help them to pay their obeisance while also avoiding travel and exposure. 

“It's important to save people's lives. So, it is not advisable to hold and conduct this year's pilgrimage in the larger public interest. Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board is aware of and respects the sentiments of millions of devotees, and to keep the sentiments alive, the Board shall continue the live telecast of morning and evening Aarti from the Holy Cave shrine," Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor also stressed the need to follow Covid protocol on the significant and pious days like Pratham Pooja, Samapan Pooja. He added that saints visiting the Shrine cave to perform Aarti as per “Shastra” need to follow Covid-appropriate behavior.  

Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board CEO, Nitishwar Kumar, said, the shrine board has made the arrangements for the mace of Lord Shiva - 'Chhari Mubarak' to be taken to the holy cave on August 22, when the yatra is to conclude coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

“Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board has been assessing the Covid situation in the Union Territory and the country. Our focus is on containing the pandemic and strengthening health infrastructure,” he observed.  
 
Nitishwar Kumar said that both morning telecast of Aarti at 6 AM and evening Aarti at 5 PM, each for 30 minutes, is to be live-streamed on the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine board official website and the app specifically dedicated for the devotees.  

Earlier, the Indian Army had stated that it was ready for the Amarnath Yatra and has taken all necessary steps for it even as the decision to conduct the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine lies with the civil administration.

On April 22, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), which organises the annual yatra, announced to “temporarily” suspend the registration of pilgrims for the pilgrimage.

The board had started registration of pilgrims online from April 15 for the Baltal and the Pahalgam routes, which lead to the cave shrine.

Kailash Kund Yatra Cancelled Last Year

The annual Kailash Kund Yatra was cancelled due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the country. The authorities had allowed the 'Chhari Mubarak' procession from August 16. The 10-day pilgrimage was supposed to begin on August 8 last year via twin tracks of Chattargala and Hayan in Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah but it was delayed due to the pandemic.

The temple authorities used special measures such as a maximum of 500 pilgrims per day were permitted in a graded manner from outside Jammu and Kashmir, registration of pilgrims was done only through online mode, to avoid any assembly at counters.

In this yatra, devotees travel to the Kailash Kund or lake which is located 4,700 feet in Banderwah Jammu and Kashmir. More details about this year's virtual yatra are awaited along with the official statement on the cancellation.

(With Additional Inputs By Asif Qureshi)