Amarnath Yatra cancelled this year amid coronavirus crisis

New Delhi : In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, the authorities has decided to cancel Amarnath Yatra scheduled for year 2020. 

"Based upon the current circumstances, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board decided that it is not advisable to hold and conduct this year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra and expressed its regret to announce the cancellation of Yatra 2020," the Amarnath Shrine Board said.

"The Board further discussed that pandemic has put the health administration system to its limit. The spike has been particularly very sharp in July. Health Workers and Security Forces are also getting infected and the focus of entire Medical, Civil and Police Administration at the moment is on containing the local transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health concerns are so serious that the strain on the health system, along with the diversion in resources to the Yatra, will be immense," the board explained.

However, for the devotees, the Amarnath Shrine board will conduct live telecast of the darshan in the morning and aarti in the evening. The traditional rituals will be followed. 

"The Board is aware of and respects the sentiments of millions of devotees and to keep the religious sentiments alive, the Board shall continue the Live telecast/virtual darshan of the morning and evening Aarti. Further, the traditional rituals shall be carried out as per past practice," it added.

It is worth mentioning that, every year around 10 lakh devotees visit the Amarnath cave shrine. This 

The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed a petition seeking direction to the Centre, Jammu and Kashmir administration and SASB to cancel this year's Amarnath Yatra.

[With inputs from agency]