The start date of Yatra i.e June 28 is approaching fast but till now there has not been any final statement about whether the yatra will be allowed at a full scale or will be reduced due to pandemic. Process of registration of pilgrims was suspended and is yet to resume.
As per the reports, the government has not taken any decision on whether to allow Yatra at the full scale this year or not. Shrine Board had declared a 56-day Yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine to begin from 28th June earlier this year.
One of the highlights of this year’s Amarnath Yatra planned by the government were battery car and helicopter service from Srinagar to Baltal. Various new additions were planned by by the Shrine Board earlier.
Sources said that the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) is going to hold a meeting in which the Covid-19 situation shall be discussed and also whether the Yatra will be allowed to commence at full scale or with a limited number of pilgrims. Maybe soon the clouds of confusion will be cleared.
In 2020 yatra had to be canceled due to pandemic, while in the year 2019, due to the process of repealing Article 370, the yatra was cut short on August 1 ahead of schedule.
As per official figures, in the year 2011, 636000 devotees attended the pilgrimage while in the year 2012; the number was 6,20,000. In 2013 – 3,53000 participated in the yatra and in 2014 – 372000 were there.
In 2015, as many as 352000 paid obeisance at the shrine, in 2016; the number stood at 220000. In 2017, it was 260000 and in 2018, the number was 285000. In 2019, there were as many as 342000 devotees and in the year 2020, the yatra was canceled due to covid.