Kumbh Mela: Over 13 lakh ignore Covid concerns; take part in 3rd shahi snan at Haridwar
Kumbh mela 2021: As per the latest report on coronavirus cases in Uttarakhand, more than 1,200 people have tested positive for Covid-19 since April 10, including 18 seers. However, the RT-PCR reports of test done on Kumbh attendees on April 13 and April 14 is still pending
BusinessToday.In | April 15, 2021 | Updated 11:15 IST
Kumbh mela in haridwar: The shahi snans have triggered concerns over their role in possibly adding to rising coronavirus cases in the country
Throwing caution to the wind amid the alarming surge in coronavirus cases, lakhs of people gathered on the ghats in Haridwar to take a dip in the Ganga River on the third day of shahi snan (royal bath) of the Kumbh Mela on Wednesday.
Coronavirus: Kumbh Mela is spread over 670 hectares covering Haridwar, Tehri, Dehradun and Rishikesh
Highlights
The Kumbh Mela area is spread over 670 hectares
Despite their best efforts, the police could not impose SOPs
Haridwar:
A total of 1,701 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela area from April 10 to 14 confirming fears that one of the world s largest religious gatherings may contribute further to the rapid rise in coronavirus cases.
The numbers include both RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test reports of devotees and seers of different akharas (ascetic groups) over the five-day period in the entire Mela Kshetra extending from Haridwar to Devprayag, Haridwar Chief Medical Officer Shambhu Kumar Jha said today.
Haridwar Kumbh Mela: 1,553 RSS Volunteers Work 12 Hour Shifts To Assist Cops In Managing Crowd And Traffic
RSS volunteers at Haridwar to assist in Kumbh Mela (@friendsofrss/Twitter)
For the first time ever, 1,553 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers have been appointed as Special Police Officers (SPOs) by Uttarakhand Police for this yearâs Kumbh Mela.
While 1,053 RSS volunteers are working in the field, the rest are back-up strength. The police have also issued them identity cards, a cap and a jacket.
RSS is among many social organisations, including Congress Seva Dal, which were roped in as SPOs for this yearâs Kumbh, reports
The Snans are a part of the Kumbh Mela that is supposed to be held in Haridwar from April 1 to April 30 in order to limit the festival this year to 30 days due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Kumbh Mela 2021
The second wave 0f the covid-19 pandemic seems to be worsening than the first wave as the covid-19 cases in India reaches an all-time high. India recorded 1,61,736 new cases in the last 24 hours on Tuesday making the count of overall case number at 1,36,89,453 so far. while many state governments have imposed certain restrictions on the movements of people and lockdown in many parts of India were also anticipated, there are some states where public gatherings can be witnessed in huge numbers as we stand amidst a raging pandemic.
The Uttrakhand government organized the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar and millions of devotees flocked to the banks of river Ganga to participate in the month-long festivities. The Uttrakhand government showered flower petals on the devotees from helicopters on the people who had marched barefoot to the destination. On Sunday, Uttrakhand reported 1,333 new covid-19 cases taking the total number of the cases to 1,08,812 and the active cases i