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| Succesfull conduct of Amarnath Yatra | | editorial | |
The successful conduct of two months long Amarnath Yatra, with its culmination on Shravan purnima on August 9,with all the accompanied ceremonies performed without any hassel is heartening. Yet the number of yatris performing the pilgrimage remaining much short of the estimated number of five lakhs and even less than the number of 4.5 lakhs touching last year should be a matter of concern for the Amarnath Shrine Board as well as all those connected with the pilgrimaga. The yatra could only touch the firure of three lakhs this year, though it was conducted for full two months. The higher number of pilgrims performing the yatra brings more economic boom and prosperity to a large number of people both in Jammu and Kashmir divisions. It also brings some revenue to the state government. Hence it is desired that the reason for short fall in the number of pilgrims this year should be thoroughly examined and correctives measure taken to promote the yatra for future with much larger number of devotees undertaking the same. It is observed over the years that the yatra which commences with big bang and enthuseasam with heavy rush of pilgrims coming from all over the country, starts dwindling after first one month or so. Towards the later period of yatra the number of pilgrims goes on thinning. This phenomenon shall have to be analysed. This year in particular the yatra remained embroiled in various controversies. While in the last two years the Mufti lead government was placing hassels over the period of yatra, yet the yatra progressed leaps and bounds with the number touching last year 4.5 lakhs. Against this year Azad lead government extended all the cooperation and assitence to the SASB for perlonging the yatra period for full two months, yet the number has come down to three lakhs only. The controversy raised over the natural formation of snowlingam of Bhagwan Shiva at sanctum sanctorum and allegations of tampering with it by artiferically creating or enlarging the snowlingam could be the one factor for the yatra remaining at low key. However it was observed that this controversy had not dampened the spirit of the devotees. Similarly the terrorist strikes, selectively targeting the pilgrims also could not deter the devotees who faced these odds boldly and performed the yatra undettered. Another controversy raised by certain vested interests about the prolong duration of yatra leading to environment pollution and health hazard as well as the objections to the prolonged yatra period on the plea of the same adversely affecting the high budget holidat torrusim was another factor responsible for the yatra dwindling after some time. In order to yet the desired result of a larger number of pilgrims performing the yatra during to long months, it is imperative that the snowlingam should be preserved for the full period of yatra, through some scientific devices. Similarly the concern real or imaginary that the longer period of yatra adversely affects the holiday torrism need be addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned. The Amarnath pilgrimage besides bringing economic boom to a large number of people in the state is also a source of national integration. Hence all these factors must be taken into consideration while formulating the action plan about the yatra.
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