(Image source from: indiatoday)

The annual Amarnath yatra has been canceled this due to the rise in coronavirus cases in Jammu and Kashmir. The procession was scheduled to be concluded on August 3.

The decision for canceling the annual Amarnath Yatra has been taken at a meeting of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) where the possibility of the conduct of yatra has also been discussed.

The meeting has been presided by Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu who is also the Chairman of the SASB board.

Jammu and Kashmir has reported 14,650 cases with a death of 256 so far. About 8,274 patients have been recovered and 6,122 cases are still active in the Union Territory.

The board expressed its regret while informing the news the grave situation of coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir and also across India has led the board to take a decision to cancel the upcoming Amarnath Yatra 2020.

The SASB board being aware of the religious sentiments of devotees across the world said that the board would continue to live telecast and provide virtual darshan to all the devotees. The virtual darshan of morning and evening aarti would be made accessible to all.

Though there is no yatra this time, the traditional rituals at the temple would be carried out as usual and the Chhadi Mubarak would also be facilitated by the government.

This cancelation of Amarnath Yatra marks the first ever incident that has happened in 150 years.

According to the statement from Raj Bhavan, all the arrangements were already being made to facilitate the Amarnath Yatra to all the devotes but due to the nation wide lockdown imposition and the pandemic, the board has decided the close all the religious centers and temples across Jammu and Kashmir.

The closure of all religious places would stay in effect till July 31.

The SASB board further discussed that they have seen huge spike in COVID-19 cases in July itself and the health workers and medical administrators are also being affected with the virus in Jammu and Kashmir.

The prime focus of J&K government, medical authorities and Police is to prevent local transmission of the virus and the regular conduct of Amarnath Yatra would disrupt the goal of the authorities.

Moreover, the board mentioned that Amarnath Yatra, if conducted this year would put devotees at the risk of catching the infection.

The cancelation would enable authorities to not shift their focus and would help them in clearing the present challenges in the UT due to COVID-19, the board discussed.

Earlier in July Supreme Court has dismissed the plea seeking cancelation of Amarnath yatra and said that it would leave the decision to local administrations. However, it directed the government to provide live darshan on internet and television to the devotees if the government wishes to cancel the yatra.

By Gayatri Yellayi