Chhari Mubarak to have darshan as per schedule: Mahant
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 21: Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has cancelled this year’s pilgrimage to holy Shrine of Shri Amarnathji in view of the alarming rise in the COVID pandemic cases in J&K and rest of the country.
The decision to this effect was taken in the Board meeting held at Srinagar today which was presided over by Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu, who is also the Chairman of SASB. The meeting was attended by other Board members through Virtual video conference to discuss the conduct of the Yatra.
The Board, while deliberating over the issue and taking the considered views of the Government into consideration said that in view of the reasonable observations made by the Government it would not be advisable to conduct Shri Amarnathji Yatra this year and hence decided to cancel the yatra this time in larger public interest.
In the meeting, it was pointed out that the Government made reasoned observations supported by facts which suggested that for the safety and security of pilgrims, security forces and others involved in the conduct of yatra, this year’s yatra be cancelled.
The Board said this would enable the health, civil and police administrations to focus on the immediate challenges facing them rather than diverting resources, manpower and attention to the conduct of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra.
Based upon the circumstances, the Board decided with heavy heart that it is not advisable to hold and conduct this year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra and expressed its regret to announce the cancellation of Yatra. In the meeting it was said that the Board is aware of and respects the sentiments of millions of devotees and to keep their religious sentiments alive, the Board will continue the Live Telecast/ Virtual Darshan of the morning and evening Aarti. Further, the traditional rituals will also be carried out as per past practice. Also, the Chhari Mubarak will be facilitated by the Government, it added.
The meeting was attended by B V R Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Bipul Pathak, CEO SASB; Anup Kumar Soni, Additional CEO SASB and senior officers of Shrine Board in which discussion was held on the current circumstances of COVID-19 pandemic and its likely impact on the Yatra.
The Board also discussed the Supreme Court order of July 13 this year in which, the decision to conduct the Yatra was left to the administration and Government after assessing the ground realities prevailing in Jammu & Kashmir.
The Board was informed that the arrangements were on track since February 2020, but due to nationwide lockdown and pandemic, State Executive Committee, J&K has still continued to keep religious places and places of worship closed for the public. These prohibitions continue till 31st July.
The Board further discussed that pandemic has put the health administration system to its limit. The spike has been particularly very sharp in July. Health workers and security forces are also getting infected and the focus of entire medical, civil and police administration at the moment is on containing the local transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board was further of the view that the health concerns are so serious that the strain on the health system, along with the diversion in resources to the Yatra, will be immense. This would also unnecessarily put the Yatris at risk of catching the COVID-19.
The Board further discussed the decision of High Court of J&K in Writ Petition (No CM No. 3022/2020 in WP(C) PIL No 5/2020 in which the Court directed SASB to take a final view in light of order of Supreme Court issued on July 13 this year and keeping in view the compliance of all healthcare protocols, Standard Operating Protocols notified by the Central Government as well as by the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
In view of all these facts, it said there was no other option but to cancel this year’s yatra in view of the larger interests of pilgrims and others involved with the conduct of annual yatra.
Meanwhile the Chhari Mubarak (holy mace) of Lord Shiva was taken to Sharika Bhawani temple Hari Parbhat in Srinagar from its abode Dashnami Akhara today by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji Maharaj the custodian of holy mace to pay obeisance to the Goddess on the occasion of ‘Shravan Shukla Paksha Pratipada’, as per the age old traditions. He was accompanied by a group of Sadhus and devotees keeping in view the Government advisory in view of spread of COVID -19 and SOPs.
Goddess ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ popularly known as ‘Tripursundari’, amongst the mystics, is believed to be ‘Isht Devi’ (presiding deity) of the Srinagar city who manifested herself in a figure of ‘Shila’ (holy rock) at Hari-Parvat.
Chhari-Sthapana’ ceremony will be performed on July 23 at Shri Amareshwar Temple Akhara Building Budshah Chowk Srinagar and traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ will be performed on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ that falls on July 25.
Mahant Deependra Giri Ji after coming to know about the cancellation of this year’s yatra said though it is disappointing that the pilgrimage was canceled but it was the appropriate decision under prevailing circumstances for the safety of pilgrims, employees, security forces and others involved in conduct of annual yatra.
He, however, said that Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy shrine as per schedule on the festival of Shravan Purnima and expressed hope that the Government and Shrine Board will make all arrangements in this regard. He also appealed the people who had intended to have the pilgrimage of holy cave this year to take the advantage of morning and evening telecast of the Aarti and Puja at holy cave daily.
“Since we are in war against the invisible enemy, we all need to be extra cautious,” he said. Quoting an example, he said “when we can see our enemy in the form of a wild animal, we can watch its movement and possibly can judge its strength too by its built and be more prepared but when we talk about the Coronavirus we cannot see it. To win a war we need weaponry, as same is the case with war against Covid-19 and our weapons are face mask, social distancing and sanitizing our hands frequently. We all have to play our role in eradication of the pandemic so that we all once again can have our normal and natural life at the earliest.”
Meanwhile the Baba Amarnath and Buda Amarnath Yatri Niyas (BABAYN) have expressed their concern over the cancellation of this year’s pilgrimage to holy cave. Talking to Excelsior, Pawan Kohli, president of the Niyas said that they were under the impression that minimal number of pilgrims will be allowed to have pilgrimage this year as the Board had earlier also announced to start the pilgrimage from July 21.
He said the minimal number of pilgrims could have been taken for darshan as four of our organsiation members came from darshan of holy cave yesterday. He said though the Board cancelled the yatra due to pandemic, it should perform all the rituals linked to yatra as per tradition and the Sant Samaj people who have reached here or will reach be allowed to have pilgrimage and all facilities be made for them. If the rituals were not performed as per tradition the Niyas will be forced to launch strong protest, he added.
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