New Delhi:

The yearly Amarnath Yatra, the Hindu pilgrimage to icy Himalayan cave shrine in Kashmir, will not take location this yr mainly because of the coronavirus pandemic. This is the next 12 months in a row that the pilgrimage has been disrupted. Past 12 months, it was named off mid-way, days before the Centre scrapped  Short article-370 and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

“Centered on the circumstances, the Board resolved with large heart that it is not advisable to maintain and carry out this year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra and expressed its regret to announce the cancellation of Yatra 2020,” the Amarnath Shrine Board mentioned in a statement.

Devotees can spend respects to the deity via reside telecast, it reported.

“The Board is mindful of and respects the sentiments of hundreds of thousands of devotees and to retain the spiritual sentiments alive, the Board shall proceed the Stay Telecast/ Digital Darshan of the morning and night Aarti. More, the classic rituals shall be carried out as for each past apply,” it added.

The Supreme Court, in an purchase this thirty day period, experienced requested the Jammu and Kashmir authorities to get a decision on organising the pilgrimage, taking in account the floor realities.

On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu presided more than a conference of the Board, which was attended by senior Union Territory and the Board officials.

“The Board more talked about that pandemic has put the health and fitness administration program to its limit. The spike has been significantly incredibly sharp in July. Wellness Employees and Security Forces are also getting contaminated and the aim of entire Medical, Civil and Police Administration at the instant is on that contains the area transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic. The wellness concerns are so serious that the pressure on the well being program, along with the diversion in means to the Yatra, will be huge,” the Board described the conclusion to cancel the pilgrimage, which is attended by thousands of men and women just about every yr.

The Centre in May well had allowed the opening of spiritual places, but with constraints, underneath what it known as Unlock2. However, various states decided usually amid increasing coronavirus cases. The Jammu and Kashmir govt this month extended the lockdown till July 31.

“The Board further deliberated the thought of views of the govt. The government manufactured reasoned observations supported by points which advised that it would not be a good idea to carry out Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2020 and it would be recommended to terminate it this yr in greater general public desire,” it said.

India’s coronavirus tally surged to 1,55,191 circumstances following extra than 37,000 new infections were being registered in the previous 24 hrs.