Amarnath Yatra stands cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

New Delhi, July 25: The Coronavirus pandemic has its bearing on the annual Amarnath Yatra this year. According to sources, the famous Amarnath Yatra 2020 is canceled due to coronavirus outbreak as the number of COVID-19 infected patients crossed the 13 lakh figure nationwide.

The Coronavirus pandemic has its bearing on the annual Amarnath Yatra this year. According to sources, the famous Amarnath Yatra 2020 is canceled due to coronavirus outbreak as the number of COVID-19 infected patients crossed the 13 lakh figure nationwide.  

“The board has expressed its regret to announce the cancellation of Yatra 2020,” the J & K government said in a statement.

However, the statement from the Jammu and Kashmir administration added that the SASB will continue to broadcast live the morning and evening aarti. Keeping the sentiments of the millions of devotees in mind, the SASB released a statement, assuring that they will continue to telecast live feed from the Amarnath cave and all the traditional rituals shall be carried out as per past practices.

“The Board is aware of and faith and the sentiments of millions of devotees and to keep the religious sentiments alive, the Board shall continue the Live Telecast/ Virtual Darshan of the morning and evening Aarti. Further, the traditional rituals shall be carried out as per past practice. Also, the Chhadi Mubarak shall be facilitated by the Government,” SASB said in a statement.

The Supreme Court, in an order this month, had asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to take a call on organizing the annual Hindu pilgrimage, taking into account the ground reality.

Every year, about 10 lakh devotees visit the Amarnath cave shrine. This is the second year in a row that the pilgrimage would not be carried out. Last year, the holy expedition was canceled on account of security concerns and in light of intelligence inputs stating terror threats targeted at the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.