SRINAGAR, July 9: The Amarnath Yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir will be only for 15 days this year, starting on July 21, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which organises the yatra, said.

The yatra has been cut short because of coronavirus. The age limit has also been lowered to 55 and a corona negative medical certificate is also needed. Registration will be done online. Because of social distancing norms, only 500 pilgrims will be allowed a day.

The Pahalgam route will not be open and the pilgrims will have to take the Baltal route. The last leg of the yatra from the base camp at Baltal will be arranged through copters.

Two base hospitals will be set up on the Baltal route. Medical staff will be equipped with corona gear. Altitude sickness and corona have similar symptoms and therefore health issues will be handled as in corona cases.

Morning and evening 'aarti' will be telecast across the country for all 15 days by Doordarshan.