'Important to save people's lives': J&K govt cancels Amarnath Yatra

Srinagar, June 22: The Manoj Sinha-led Jammu and Kashmir government have decided to cancel the Amarnath Yatra for the second consecutive year citing the Covid-19 pandemic. However, all the traditional religious rituals will be performed at the Holy Cave Shrine as per past practice.

 

 

Though Covid-19 cases in the union territory hav decreased, the administration led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has decided to cancel the yatra "in the larger public interest". The office of Sinha said, "Shri Amarnathji Yatra cancelled in wake of Covid-19 Pandemic. Decision after threadbare discussion with Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board members. Yatra to be symbolic only. However, all the traditional religious rituals shall be performed at the Holy Cave Shrine as per past practice."

 

 

Further, it added, "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." Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board subsequently held a detailed deliberations with Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, DGP, Dilbag Singh, Principal Secretary Home Shaleen Kabra.

 

 

The administration directed that devotees should be enabled to attend to morning and evening Aarti in online mode. It would help them to pay their obeisance while also avoiding and travel and exposure. Nitishwar Kumar said, "Both morning telecast of Aarti at 6 am and evening Aarti at 5 pm, each for 30 minutes, is to be live-streamed on Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine board official website and the app specifically dedicated for the devotees.

 

 

The online registrations for this year's Amarnath Yatra had commenced on April 15, only to get suspended a week later in wake of the escalating number of COVID-19 cases. This year's 56 day-yatra was scheduled to commence simultaneously on both routes from June 28 and culminate on Raksha Bandhan, August 22.