The annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra is set to culminate on Thursday (August 31). The pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas started on June 30 and culminates after 62-days with special prayers of saffron-robed holy mace of Lord Shiva, known as ‘Chhari Mubarak’.
This year the Yatra has seen overwhelming footfall with more than 4.4 lakh pilgrims having darshan at the Holy Amarnathji Shrine before the pilgrimage was suspended on August 23 “due to considerable reduction in the flow of pilgrims and the urgent repairs & maintenance of the Yatra tracks at vulnerable stretches being undertaken by Border Roads Organization (BRO).”
Last year, the Yatra came to an abrupt end after an unfortunate incident of cloud burst. The pilgrimage had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019 also, the yatra was cut short as the government emptied the Valley of pilgrims and tourists before revocation of Article 370 on August 5 amid security and communication clampdown.
Besides security arrangements, the government made elaborative arrangements for smooth conduct of the pilgrimage for 62-days, the record day count ever recorded. It also augmented the health infrastructure to meet any exigency.
Ever since the pilgrimage started, the Lieutenant Governor, who is also chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, visited on spot for appraisal of the arrangements that were put in place for healthcare, electricity, communication, water supply and sanitation, weather forecasting, disaster management, security grid and all other basic necessities for the pilgrims.
The authorities had made available an adequate number of doctors, staff, equipment, medicines and oxygen cylinders.
Since Yatra is in difficult terrain at an altitude where the oxygen levels are low, healthcare facilities, care around the clock were ensured.
The security establishment ensured that the pilgrimage remained incident-free. On the weather front, the conditions remained largely good with a few interruptions.
While the government was duty bound to ensure all facilities to the pilgrims, it is now incumbent upon it also to ensure that environmental concerns are taken care of in a scientific manner. The SASB had put a ban on junk and unhealthy food, including halwa puri, samosas, jalebi, gulab jamun, etc. this year.
While the SASB made better arrangements along with the local administration on various counts for the pilgrims, it is expected that the Board shall ensure there are no complaints on the environmental front.
