Amarnath Yatra: The Yatra begins on June 30 and ends on August 11.
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir):
Prior to the commencement of the 43-day annual pilgrimage to Amarnath, the government of Jammu and Kashmir issued the do’s and don’ts for the pilgrims and urged them to “take a daily morning walk and do breathing exercises” to keep themselves fit on the High Altitudes.
While specifying precautions, Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Nitishwar Kumar, said devotees should take a morning walk, do breathing exercises, keep warm clothes and foods, and keep themselves hydrated.
The Yatra begins on June 30, 2022 and ends on August 11, 2022 on Raksha Bandhan.
Nitishwar Kumar’s comments came after more than 90 pilgrims lost their lives at the Char Dam Yatra in Uttarakhand since it began on May 3 this year, due to heart attack, mountain sickness and other reasons.
Nitishwar Kumar told ANI on Saturday: “The pilgrims who have made their registration and intend to do the same should take the morning or evening walk daily from almost 4 to 5 am. This is a necessity to keep themselves fit when one comes at a very high altitude.The sacred cave is located at 12,700 ft, while on the way you have to cross 14,000 or 15,000 ft. Also practice deep breathing exercises as there are oxygen deficiencies at such high altitudes.
Citing the occasional drop in temperature in the region during rains, the chief secretary suggested pilgrims bring warm clothes as a precaution.
“The temperature drops to almost 5 degrees when it rains during the yatra. So bring your warm clothes and keep this in mind. Bring a walking stick, jacket and edibles. Keep yourself hydrated to avoid dehydration,” he said.
In particular, the Union’s Home Affairs Minister, Amit Shah, had discussed Amarnath Yatra, among other things, at a key meeting chaired recently on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the Center has asked the governments of Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Odisha to take urgent measures to ensure that the ongoing Kedarnath Yatra and the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and Rath Yatra are conducted in such a way as to ensure a high level of cleanliness.
In this regard, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Manoj Joshi has written to the chief secretaries of Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Odisha.
Notably, there are four sacred shrines in Uttarakhand dedicated to Hindu gods and sacred rivers of India. The four shrines are located in the Garhwal region. These are collectively referred to as “Char Dham of Uttarakhand”. In Hindu religion, Char Dham Yatra is of great importance and sacred. It is believed that every Hindu should undertake Char Dham Yatra at least once in their lifetime to avail the blessings of gods who adorn the shrines. Haridwar is the traditional point to start the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand. Badrinath Yatra started on May 8, 2022 and Kedarnath Yatra on May 6, 2022.
Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir begins on June 30, 2022 and ends on August 11, 2022. Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha begins on July 1.
