A row over shorter Amarnath yatra

A storm is brewing in Jammu and Kashmir over Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) decision to curtail the duration of this year’s annual pilgrimage to the holy cave to 39 days.

SASB led by Jammu and Kashmir governor NN Vohra held a meeting after which it was announced that the yatra would commence from June 25 and culminate on Raksha Bandhan on August 2, this year. In the SASB meeting, Sri Sri Ravi Shanker, besides other members, was present.

However, Shri Amarnath Sanghrash Simiti (SASS) rejected the schedule. “We will not accept less than two months yatra. Who is SASB to decide over the matters relating to faith?” said Brig (retd) Suchet Singh, SASS convener.

The Board said, in 2010 and 2011, despite efforts to carry out snow clearance operations along the Chandanwari-Sheshnag-MG Top-Panjtarni-Holy Cave axis, this route could become fit for movement only around end June. SASB kept the option of preponing the yatra open given the weather in the Himalayas. “It was further resolved that if preponement before June 25 is found possible, even by a few days, the CEO shall organise registration of yatris through a speedy mode like on-line or even spot-registration”, the spokesman said.

SASS said that they would take up the issue with Shri Amarnath Niyas and other groups and discuss the yatra’s schedule announced by the SASB.