Amid a rapid decline in the footfall of pilgrims and the complete melting of the ice Shiva Lingam in the cave shrine, authorities in Kashmir have suspended the Amarnath Yatra reportedly due to “urgent repairs” that have been taken up even as the annual pilgrimage is officially still on.
“Due to the considerable reduction in the flow of pilgrims and the urgent repairs and maintenance of the Yatra tracks at vulnerable stretches being undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation, movement of pilgrims on both tracks leading to the Holy Cave is not advisable,” the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, the nodal body responsible for organising the pilgrimage, said in a statement.
The 62-day-long Amarnath Yatra, commenced on July 1 and it will culminate with the event of Chadi Mubarak on August 31. The Yatra commenced simultaneously from both the routes - the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district. “The Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended from both routes with effect from 23rd August 2023. Chadi Mubarak shall proceed via traditional Pahalgam route marking the culmination of Yatra 2023 on 31st August,” it reads.
Amarnath Yatra, which commenced on July 1st from the twin routes – the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district, started to see a drop in the pilgrim footfall from July 23 after the naturally formed ice Shiv Lingam at the shrine started to melt.
"The yatra will remain temporarily suspended from August 23 in view of the reduced pilgrim flow and track restoration work," said an official spokesman. This means no person can undertake yatra from Wednesday onwards.
The government had made massive security arrangements for the yatra. Besides an overwhelming existing security structure deployed in Kashmir Valley, over 300 additional companies of paramilitary forces were brought in for the yatra security.
On an average, dozens of security forces personnel are deployed for the security of each yatri. From Jammu to base camps -- in Pahalgam and Baltal, 350 to 400 km long road is manned by troops from all security agencies.
Once a major source of cultural and social integration, the yatra is now restricted to security convoys. No vehicle is allowed to move when yatra convoys pass.
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