New Delhi: India is currently lifting its nationwide lockdown in phases. The first phase or Unlock 1 saw relaxation for many activities. According to the latest guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) shopping malls, religious places, hotels, and restaurants can reopen after June 8. Also Check: Malls, Religious Places Finally Reopen As India Unlocks | Story In Pics

Several religious places have already prepared to follow every norm as directed and have painted social distancing boxes where the devotees will have to stand in queue and wait for their turn, while masks have been made mandatory for all, including priests. They have also arranged sanitizers, sanitizer tunnels, and thermal screening guns. A token system for regulated entry and no physical offerings like ‘prasad’ will be followed in religious places. The unlock phase is also applicable on pilgrimage or yatras and many big sites are preparing to reopen. Find out the latest updates on some of the biggest pilgrimages. Also Read : World Bank Predicts Worst Recession Since World War II, Global Economy To Shrink By 5.2%

Amarnath Yatra

 Photo Credit: PTI

The Amarnath shrine is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites. It is located at f 3,888 m above sea level in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The cave is covered in snow most of the year but opens for pilgrims for a short period during summer. According to reports, the yatra is set to begin from July 21 and will continue till August 3. The 'Pratham Puja' for the Yatra was held on June 5. Due to the pandemic, the duration of the yatra is short and will last for only 15 days. Pilgrims above 55 years of age will not be allowed but exemptions will be there for sadhus. This year the yatra will take place from the Baltal route and the Pahalgam route will not be open for pilgrims. But a report by PTI has said that Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation (SABLO) has suggested canceling the pilgrimage due to rising coronavirus cases.

Chardham yatra (Uttarakhand)

The pilgrimage to four holy sites in Uttarakhand-Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath is known as Chardham yatra or 'chota Chardham'. PTI has reported that the Uttarakhand government has allowed the yatra to begin from June 8. This time there will be limitations on the number of devotees initially. The shrines had opened even before the Unlock phase, but devotees were not allowed to enter.  A PTI report has said that Gangotri and Yamunotri opened on April 24, Kedarnath on April 29 and Badrinath on May 15. In recent news, the different stakeholders of Badrinath temple have asked for a suspension of the yatra till June 30.

Vaishno Devi yatra

Vaishno Devi is a temple dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi who is also known as Mata Rani and Ambe. Located in the Katra district in Jammu and Kashmir, temple authorities have yet to give a date on the resumption of pilgrimage. According to a report by leading daily Hindustan Times, the temple may resume activities by the second week of June. It also said that at present large scale sanitization drive is being undertaken. The tracks used by the devotees, the inner sanctum of the temple are all being disinfected.