Amarnath Yatra From July 21 To August 3, Duration Cut Short For Coronavirus

Jammu: The annual Amarnath Yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir will begin on July 21 and end on August 3 this year.

This was stated by the officials of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) that manages the yatra to the shrine. The ”Pratham Puja” for the 14-day yatra was held here on Friday. The duration of the yatra has been cut short this time because of the spread of coronavirus.

Except the Sadhus, only pilgrims below 55 years of age will be allowed to trek to the shrine situated at 3,880 metre above the sea level in J&K’s Anantnag district. All those undertaking the Yatra must have COVID-19 negative certificates.

“The pilgrims will be cross-checked for the virus before they are allowed to undertake the yatra on entry into J&K,” an official of the SASB said. All the pilgrims except the Sadhus will have to register online for the yatra, it added.

The morning and evening ”Aarti” at the shrine will be telecast live for devotees across the country. Because of non-availability of local labourers, helicopters will be pressed into service from Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district to the cave shrine.

The yatra will be undertaken only through the north Kashmir Baltal route, the official said.