Haridwar’s Kumbh Mela Considered As A ‘Super Spread’ Of COVID; Devotees Flout Norms

Amid the fears of coronavirus, the government of Uttarakhand has limited Kumbh Mela 2021 to 30 days. However, all COVID norms are being flouted during the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. Thousands of saffron-clad devotees gathered at Har Ki Pauri in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar for a holy dip in the Ganga flouting all norms and restrictions against the spread of coronavirus. The seers took out grand Shobha Yatras by turns through the main thoroughfare of the pilgrimage city. So far, seers of three akharas have bathed in the river at Har ki Pauri while bathing by devotees is underway at the other ghats. The Kumbh Mela might prove to be a super spreader of coronavirus.

The government had earlier said that it will issue a notice which will announce the duration of Kumbh Mela 2021 from April 1 to April 30. Also, the Haridwar District Magistrate C Ravishankar had stated earlier that the fair will allow entry of pilgrims only with passes. Additionally, the district administration has demanded 70,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the personnel on duty at the fair. Read on to know more.

Pilgrims Will Get Passes After Submission Of Negative RT-PCR Test Reports
Also, District Magistrate C Ravishankar had said that passes will be mandatory for entry to the fair and the pilgrims will get them only after the submission of a negative RT-PCR test report, medical certificate, and identification proof. Ravishankar said, “Pilgrims will need passes for Kumbh and the passes will be issued only after submission of a negative RT-PCR test report, medical certificate, and identification proof. Those without passes will be denied entry.”

Cameras Installed To Check On Crowd Formation
The administration of the Kumbh Mela has placed cameras to check on the formation of crowds in the Ganga ghats. The district administration has demanded 70,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the personnel on duty. Also, artists have turned Haridwar into a mythology-themed city with colourful wall graffiti to make devotees aware of its significance in the Maha Kumbh Mela. The graffiti art campaign is called “Paint My City”, run by the Haridwar-Roorkee Development Authority.

Meanwhile, if there is one spectacle, you can’t miss in India, it’s the Ganga Aarti.