Only the holy mace of lord Shiva, known as ‘Charri Mubarak', will be taken to the shrine on August 3
Jammu, July 21:There would be no Amarnath pilgrimage of any duration this year because of the high concerns about the steep hike in the coronavirus cases across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board on Tuesday decided that it is not advisable to hold and conduct this year's pilgrimage and expressed its regret to announce the cancellation of the Yatra.
The UT administration was averse to taking risks at this stage when the coronavirus is taking its toll on humans in J&K — more than 260 have died and nearly 14,000 have tested positive.
A meeting presided over by Lieutenant-Governor Girish Chandra Murmu, who is chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), was held through video conference to discuss the conduct of the Yatra. The meeting was attended by members of the board.
The Board deliberated the considered views of the government. The government made reasoned observations supported by facts which suggested that it would not be advisable to conduct Amarnath Yatra and it would be advisable to cancel it this year in larger public interest.
This would enable the health, civil and police administrations to focus on the immediate challenges facing them rather than diverting resources, manpower and attention to the conduct of the Yatra.
A release by the SASB said, “The Board is aware of and respects the sentiments of millions of devotees and to keep the religious sentiments alive, the Board shall continue the live telecast and virtual darshan of the morning and evening ‘Aarti'. Further, the traditional rituals shall be carried out as per past practice.”
The shrine is located at a height of 13,500 ft above sea level.
An ice stalagmite, symbolic of Lord Shiva, is the main attraction of the pilgrims. Glimpses of the stalagmite, better known as “Shivlingam” to the pilgrims were visible when Lieutenant-Governor G C Murmu and Home minister Rajnath Singh visited the shrine on July 4 and 18. The “Aarti” is also telecast live from the shrine on a daily basis.
The holy mace of Lord Shiva, known as “Charri Mubarak” would be taken to the shrine on August 3 when the yatra was to conclude coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.
Originally, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board had scheduled the start of the pilgrimage in last week of June and its conclusion on August 3.
