In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, J&K government has decided that Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, annual pilgrimage would be symbolic only however, all the traditional religious rituals shall be performed at the Holy Cave Shrine as per past practice.
Decision regarding the cancellation of the yatra was taken following a threadbare discussion by LG Manoj Sinha with the members of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). Sinha, who is also Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board subsequently held detailed deliberations with Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, DGP, Dilbag Singh, Principal Secretary Home Shaleen Kabra, and Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, Nitishwar Kumar, who is also the CEO of Shrine Board, and directed that devotees should be enabled to attend to morning and evening Aarti in online mode. He said it would help them to pay their obeisance while also avoiding and travel and exposure.
The meeting was informed that Shrine Board has put in place a virtual and televised mechanism for live Darshan of Aarti from the holy cave.
“It’s important to save people’s lives. So, it is not advisable to hold and conduct this year’s pilgrimage in the larger public interest. Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board is aware of and respects 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,” Lt Governor said.
Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board CEO, Nitishwar Kumar, said, the shrine board has made the arrangements for the mace of Lord Shiva- Chhari Mubarak’ to be taken to the holy cave on 22nd August when the yatra is to conclude coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
“Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board has been assessing the Covid situation in the Union Territory and the country. Our focus is on containing the pandemic and strengthening health infrastructure,” he observed.
The CEO, Nitishwar Kumar said that both morning telecast of Aarti at 6 AM and evening Aarti at 5 PM, each for 30 minutes, shall be live-streamed on Shri Amarnath ji Shrine board official website and the app specifically dedicated for the devotees.