Faced with unprecedented rush of unregistered pilgrims, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) on Sunday said no such yatri will be allowed to proceed to the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas.
“Instructions have been issued to ensure no unregistered yatri is allowed to proceed towards the holy cave under any circumstances,” Chief Executive Officer of the SASB R K Goyal said here.
Mr. Goyal has appealed to all those who intend to undertake the pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine to obtain a yatra permit before embarking on the pilgrimage to avoid facing inconvenience on arrival in Jammu and Kashmir, a spokesman of the board said.
He said the pilgrims must embark on the yatra strictly as per the dates and the routes specified in their permits.
“For the Shrine Board’s planning to provide a smooth and a hassle-free yatra for all pilgrims to be successful, it is also the responsibility of every yatri to display the required discipline and, first of all, obtain a permit,” he added.
Mr. Goyal said so far eight pilgrims have lost their lives along the pilgrimage routes due to cardiac failures.
“The Board has, time and again, issued a detailed advisory of Do’s and Don’ts for the yatris visiting the Holy Cave Shrine, which are also printed on the reverse of the Permit and also available on the Board’s website,” he said.
Mr. Goyal said the yatris need to strictly adhere to instructions as they have to undertake an arduous trek through high mountains under adverse weather conditions.
“It has been raining in the yatra area almost every day since the yatra began and the pilgrims must not take any risk, whatsoever,” he added.