No Amarnath Yatra this year, Cancelled amid Covid

The annual Amarnath Yatra has been cancelled this year also in view of the coronavirus pandemic.The decision to cancel the annual Amarnath Yatra was taken at a meeting of the shrine board chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. “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 respect 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," said Lt Governor.

Sinha after detailed deliberations has decided that the annual pilgrimage would be symbolic only. However, all the traditional religious rituals will be performed as per past practice. The 56-day yatra to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva, located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, was scheduled to start from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal on June 28 and culminate on August 22.