In what seemed like a faux pas, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) on Wednesday first announced the cancellation of the Amarnath Yatra due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but withdrew the order minutes later and said the decision on the yatra would be taken after reviewing the situation.
The 43-daylong annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave at Pahalgam was to start on June 23 and end on August 3. Last year, the yatra was cancelled by the government in view of the security threat. The government had issued an advisory asking yatris and tourists to leave Kashmir on August 3. On August 5, 2019, Kashmir was put under lockdown after the revocation of Article 370.
The first statement issued by the SASB through the Jammu and Kashmir Information Department said the SASB meeting had decided to cancel the yatra in view of COVID-19.
The statement said Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor G.C. Murmu in a meeting of SASB, who also happened to chairman of SASB, observed that there are 77 red zones identified in the Kashmir valley from where the yatra routes pass and due the pandemic, the establishment of langars, medical facility, camp establishment, material mobilisation, snow clearance and other facilities was not possible.
It emphasised that though the government of India extended the nationwide lockdown till May 3, it is highly unpredictable to know which direction the pandemic will take after that.
The SASB chairman stressed that the safety of the yatris is our prime importance, the statement said. It said the SASB decided unanimously that in view of the pandemic situation prevailing in the world, it would not be prudent to organise the Amarnath Yatra in 2020.
It was also decided that the Pratham Pooja and Sampann Pooja will be done with traditional fervour.
It said the SASB would explore the possibility of telecasting the Pooja and darshan of Shiva Linga online and through other media for millions of devotees worldwide.
The statement said the members of SASB believe that not organising the yatra should also set an example for all during the prevailing circumstances of pandemic to avoid such congregations.
It said the meeting was attended by D.C. Raina, Professor Anita Billawaria, Dr. Sudershan Kumar and other senior officers of the Shrine Board. Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaja and Dr Devi Prasad Shetty attended the meeting through videoconferencing.
However, minutes later, the SASB statement was withdrawn and then another one was issued, which said it may not be possible to organise the yatra in 2020 but appropriate decision will be taken in future. This year, the pilgrimage would have ended on the occasion of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
The first statement by SASB was issued after a decision was taken at a meeting of the board of directors chaired by Lieutenant Governor G.C. Murmu.
The cancelation of the yatra, however, was not received well by prospective pilgrims and the Centre, who were of the opinion that it was too early to announce the cancelation of the yatra in view of the religious sentiments of large numbers associated with the pilgrimage.
It is believed that if the pandemic continues, then the duration of yatra could be shortened.
The annual pilgrimage attracts devotees from all over India. The pilgrims have to register with the SASB to take part in the Amarnath Yatra. The SASB organises the travel and security with the help of the government of Jammu to Kashmir.
The yatra starts from Yatri Bhawan in Jammu and is escorted by CRPF to the base camp at Pahalgam in Anantnag in south Kashmir. The yatris halt at Pahalgam and then proceed in groups to trek the 48km route for the darshan of the lingam at Amarnath cave. Most yatris return from Baltal, which is the shorter and safer route.
