Amarnath Yatra cancelled for 2nd year in a row due to Covid-19 fear; Online 'Aarti' for devotees

New Delhi, June 21: The Jammu & Kashmir administration has decided to cancel the annual Amarnath Yatra for the second year in a row amid the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board said on Monday, 21 June, according to news agency ANI.

All the traditional religious rituals will be performed at the Holy Cave Shrine, as per past practice, the Board added. The government has asked to hold symbolic yatra and online 'Aarti' for devotees.

"A threadbare discussion was held with the esteemed members of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board including Swami Avdheshanand Ji, DC Raina, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Prof Anita Billawariya, Sudarshan Kumar, Prof Vishwamurti Shashtri, Pt. Bhajan Sopori, Dr CM Seth and Tripta Dhawan on the present COVID-19 situation before arriving at the decision," said an official release.