22.7.20

Amarnath Yatra cancelled due to Covid-19

The Amarnath Yatra 2020 has been cancelled due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board announced on Tuesday. The decision to cancel this year’s annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas was reportedly taken in the wake of the closure of religious places in Jammu and Kashmir due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is the second year in a row that the pilgrimage has been called off. Last year it was cancelled mid-way, days before the Centre announced its twin decisions to scrap Article-370 and bifurcate the state into two Union Territories.

“The Board is aware of and respects the sentiments of millions of devotees. To keep the religious sentiments alive, the Board shall continue live telecast/virtual darshan of the morning and evening aarti. Further, the traditional rituals shall be carried out as per past practice. Also, the Chhadi Mubarak shall be facilitated by the government,” the statement read.

The Board discussed the Supreme Court’s order dated July 13 in which the decision to conduct the Yatra was left to the administration/government after assessing the ground realities prevailing in Jammu & Kashmir in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

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