Amid the prevailing surge of coronavirus pandemic, J&K government on Monday announced that Amarnath Yatra for the year has been cancelled. The Yatra would instead be symbolic but all the other rituals inside the cave would be performed per usual.
A detailed discussion was held with the members of the shrine board on the present Covid-19 situation before the decision.
The meeting was informed that shrine board has put in place virtual and televised mechanism for live telecast of ‘aarti’ from the holy cave.
“It is 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 respect 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,” the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said.
He also called for the need to follow Covid protocol on the significant and pious days like ‘Pratham Pooja’, and the ‘Samapan Pooj’ and stressed that saints visiting the cave shrine to perform ‘aarti’ as per “Shastras” would follow Covid appropriate behaviour.
The ‘Chhari Mubarak’, the mace of Lord Shiva, will be taken to the holy cave on August 22, when the yatra is to conclude, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan this year.
“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 said.
The 58 days long Yatra was scheduled to begin from June 28.
