India / J&K admin withdraws order on cancelling Amarnath Yatra due to COVID-19

The Jammu and Kashmir government has withdrawn its earlier order that said the Amarnath Yatra scheduled in June has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. "Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation being dynamic, an appropriate decision can be taken on organising the Yatra on reviewing the situation in the coming future," the new statement said.

The Quint : Apr 23, 2020, 03:02 PM

Katra: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has withdrawn the press statement announcing cancellation of Amarnath Yatra this year, according to a report by news agency PTI.

Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) spokesman had said earlier, on Wednesday, 22 April, that the annual yatra to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas had been suspended due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

This is the first time that the pilgrimage might get cancelled. Even during the peak of terrorism in Kashmir, the Yatra had continued.

The decision to this effect was taken at the 38th board meeting of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which met under the chairmanship of Lt Governor GC Murmu at Raj Bhavan, the spokesman said.

However, the board decided that 'Pratham Pooja' and 'Sampann Pooja' will be undertaken with traditional fervour. The 42-day-long annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine is scheduled to commence on 23 June.