Kumbh Mela: Over 1,000 Test Positive For Coronavirus In Haridwar As Devotees Gather In Large Numbers

This came as thousands of saffron-clad seers and ash-smeared Nagas were seen without wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing as they gathered at the Har Ki Pauri ghat for a holy dip in the Ganga during the ‘shahi snan’ despite a new wave of coronavirus infections sweeping across the country.

(Image: PTI)

Haridwar: With the devotees flouting Covid-19 lines during ‘shahi snan’ at the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar where Kumbh Mela is being observed, over 1,000 people have tested positive for the virus.

This came as thousands of saffron-clad seers and ash-smeared Nagas were seen without wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing as they gathered at the Har Ki Pauri ghat for a holy dip in the Ganga during the ‘shahi snan’ despite a new wave of coronavirus infections sweeping across the country.

According to officials, the virus was detected in over 1,000 people in just 48 hours in Haridwar where around 35 lakh people gathered for the Kumbh Mela.

“Our faith is the biggest thing for us. It is because of that strong belief that so many people have come here to take a dip in Ganga,” AFP quoted Siddharth Chakrapani, a member of one of the Kumbh Mela organising committees, as saying.

“They believe that Maa (mother) Ganga will save them from this pandemic,” he added.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat had on Tuesday appealed to the people to follow Covid-19 guidelines, like wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and sanitising hands during the third ‘shahi snan’.

In normal circumstances, Kumbh continues for nearly four months but the duration of the congregation has been curtailed to one month this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, over 20,000 Covid-19 cases have been reported in Uttar Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking the state’s tally to 1,11,835.