The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has decided that the annual Amarnath Yatra will be kept symbolic due to the COVID-19 crisis.
A statement issued by Raj Bhawan in Jammu on Monday said all religious rituals will be performed at the holy cave shrine as per past traditions.
The statement said a discussion was held with the members of SASB on holding the yatra in the wake of the pandemic situation before arriving on the decision.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of SASB, held detailed deliberations with chief secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh, principal secretary (home) Shaleen Kabra, and principal secretary to lieutenant governor Nitishwar Kumar, who is also the CEO of SASB, and directed that devotees should be enabled to attend the morning and evening aarti online.
The statement said this would help them to pay obeisance and avoid travel and exposure to the virus.
The meeting was informed that the board has put in place virtual and televised mechanism for live darshan of aarti from the holy cave.
“It is important to save people's lives. So, it is not advisable to hold and conduct this year's pilgrimage in the larger public interest,’’ the statement, quoting Sinha, said.
“Board is aware of and respect the sentiments of millions of devotees, and to keep the sentiments alive, the board shall continue the live telecast of morning and evening aarti from the holy cave shrine.’’
During the meeting, the governor stressed on the need to follow COVID-19 protocol on important days like pratham puja and samapan puja.
He directed that saints visiting the shrine cave to perform aarti as per 'Shastra' should also follow COVID-19 appropriate behavior.
Kumar informed the meeting that SASB has made arrangements for the mace of Lord Shiva 'Chhari Mubarak' to be taken to the holy cave on August 22, when the yatra is to conclude, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
The SASB CEO told the meeting that the board has been assessing the COVID-19 situation in the Union territory and the country.
