Amarnath Yatra suspended for second consecutive year due to Corona outbreak
In view of the situation arising out of Corona, this year’s Shri Baba Amarnath Yatra has been canceled. This is the second consecutive year that Baba Amarnath Yatra will not take place. Even in the year 2020, the travel could not be done due to Corona. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, held extensive discussions with the Board members on the issue on Monday and thereafter decided to cancel Shri Amarnath Yatra for the 2021 season.
The Lieutenant Governor held discussions with Chief Secretary Arun Mehta, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh, Principal Secretary Home Department Shaleen Kabra, Board’s Chief Executive Officer Nitishwar Kumar and other board members. Shiva devotees will be able to see the aarti in the morning and evening from the holy cave of Baba Barfani through online medium. Traditional religious customs will be performed in the holy cave as before. The journey will be only symbolic.
It was informed in the meeting that the Shrine Board has made arrangements for live telecast of Aarti from the holy cave. The Lieutenant Governor said that it is necessary to save the lives of the people. Keeping in view the public interest, it is advisable not to visit Baba Amarnath this year. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board understands the faith and values of lakhs of Shiva devotees. Therefore, arrangements have been made for the live telecast of Aarti. The Lieutenant Governor stressed that the guidelines issued for the prevention of corona should be followed while performing the first puja and the concluding puja. According to the scriptures, the saints who reach Shri Holy Cave have to perform aarti and for this the guidelines for prevention of corona will have to be followed.
The board’s chief executive officer, Nitishwar Kumar, said that arrangements would be made for Chhari Mubarak at the conclusion of the yatra on August 22, the day of Raksha Bandhan. The board reviewed the situation in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Corona in the country. ‘Our focus is to curb corona and strengthen the health infrastructure. Aarti will be telecast live from 6 am to 5 pm and for half an hour on the official website of the board. Aarti can also be seen on the mobile based app of the Shrine Board.’
Due to the situation arising out of Corona, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board had already stopped the advance registration in the middle, although the advance registration started from April 1. There was confusion about the visit for the past several days, the Lieutenant Governor had earlier met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Union Home Secretary during his visit to Delhi on the issue of travel. Like last year, this year also the aarti will be telecast live from the holy cave of Baba Barfani.
