Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) authorities on Wednesday decided to call off this years annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine in the wake of nationwide spike in the number of cases of Covid-19 .
The decision to call off the yatra was taken during a high level meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu here at Raj Bhawan . The yatra was scheduled to begin from June 23 this year.
According to a statement issued by the Raj Bhawan spokesman, "The Shrine Board decided unanimously that in view of the pandemic situation prevailing in the world it would not be prudent to organize the Amarnath Yatra, 2020.”
However, it was also decided that Board would explore the possibility of telecasting the Pooja and darshan of Shivlinga online and through other media for millions of devotees worldwide. The Board members expressed that not organizing of Amarnathji Yatra should also set an example for all during the prevailing circumstances of pandemic to avoid such congregations.
It is for the first time the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine has been called off even before starting it.
Last year, the yatra was suspended on August 2 citing threat to the security of pilgrims. Around 3.50 lakh pilgrims had performed darshan inside hte sanctum sanctorum.
Amidst nationwide lockdown till May 3, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board authorities had earlier postponed the decision to start registration for this years yatra.
During the 38th board meeting Chairman also observed that there are 77 Red zones identified in the Kashmir valley from where the yatra routes pass.
"Due to this pandemic, the establishment of Langars, Medical facility, Camp establishment, Material mobilization, Snow clearance etc. are not possible", Raj Bhawan spokesman added.
He further emphasized that though the Government of India extended the nationwide lock down till 3rd May, it is highly unpredictable to know which direction will it take beyond. The safety of the Yatris is our prime importance, he maintained.
It was also decided by the Board that the Pratham Pooja and Sampann Pooja will be done with traditional fervour.
The meeting was attended by Shri D.C. Raina; Prof. Anita Billawaria; Dr. Sudershan Kumar; Dr. C.M. Seth and Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri. Shri Bipul Pathak, Chief Executive Officer; Sh. Anup Kumar Soni, Additional Chief Executive Officer; and other senior officers of the Shrine Board also attended the meeting. Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaja and Dr Devi Prasad Shetty attended the meeting through video conferencing.