Authorities to seal Ayodhya borders
Outsiders including seers from Haridwar Kumbh will not be allowed entry
Ayodhya: The Ayodhya administration has decided to call off the Ram Navmi Mela on April 21, which attracts a huge gathering of pilgrims on the last day of Navratri. Ayodhya s borders will be sealed and nobody, including seers from Haridwar Kumbh, will be allowed entry.
Hundreds of seers were scheduled to come to Ayodhya to offer prayers at Ram Janmabhoomi temple on Ram Navmi. The district administration has directed devotees to celebrate Ram Navmi at home and curtailed pilgrim presence at temples.
District Magistrate Anuj Kumar Jha said, Our priority is to break the corona chain. We have taken all precautionary measures and banned all gatherings in Ayodhya. The administration has ensured low-key Navratri celebrations in the temple town.
Popular singer Sonu Nigam expressed his views on the Kumbh Mela taking place amid the pandemic in a recent Instagram video. According to him, it shouldn't have taken place.
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Malaika Arora
Malaika Arora recently reacted to a picture of a crowd gathered at the famous Kumbh Mela this year. Sharing a picture of Kumbh through an Instagram story, the actress described it as shocking . In the photo, a large number of people are seen gathered on a narrow road for the festivities. Captioning the picture, Malaika wrote, It s a pandemic! But it is shocking.
Image Source : INSTAGRAM/MALAIKA ARORA
Snapshot of Malaika Arora s Instagram story
Malaika is not the only celebrity to have condemned such a large gathering at Kumbh amidst coronavirus spread. Singer Shaan on Friday reacted to a news report on Twitter stating over 1,700 people have tested positive for Covid-19 at Kumbh Mela, Haridwar between April 10 and 14. Why would God save us.. ??? if we are just not interested in saving ourselves and our families.. Please Please #StayHomeStaySafe, tweeted Shaan.
COVID-19: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh issue guidelines for Kumbh returnees - Check details here
The ongoing Kumbh Mela has reported large number of devotees and saints testing positive with COVID-19 virus. (Image source: Reuters)
Updated: Apr 17, 2021, 07:56 PM IST
Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday (April 17) said that people returning to state after attending the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar will have to undergo an RT-PCR test before they are allowed to enter their respective cities and villages
While speaking to reporters at Jamnagar, Rupani said, “Collectors of all districts in Gujarat have been directed to keep a watch on the Kumbh Mela returnees and enforce a nakabandi (security checking) to prevent their entry in their hometowns without undergoing an RT-PCR test.”
Highlights
PM appeals to keep Kubh symbolic
PM speaks to Swami Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara on phone
NEW DELHI: Amid a spike in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Modi on Saturday (April 17) spoke to Swami Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara on phone and appealed that ongoing Kumbh should now be symbolic at the time of coronavirus COVID-19 crisis. PM Modi tweeted that he also enquired about the health of saints, many of whom have contracted the infection, and also conveyed his appreciation for their cooperation with the local administration.
The development comes at a time when almost 2,000 seers are said to have tested positive for COVID-19 at the ongoing Kumbh Mela. Lakh of devotees participated in the last two Shahi Snans violating COVID protocols by not wearing masks or maintaining social distancing.