After almost 2,167 people testing positive for coronavirus at the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar in a span of five days, Panchayati Niranjani Akhada, one of the 13 akhadas, has announced the conclusion of the Kumbh on April 17.
In the latest update, 30 sadhus in the city have been tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday. Speaking to ANI, Haridwar Chief Medical Officer Dr. SK Jha said, "30 Sadhus have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, in Haridwar. Medical teams are going to akhadas and RT-PCR tests of sadhus are being done continuously. The process will be further quickened from April 17." Also Read: Former CBI Director Ranjit Sinha Passes Away At 68 After Testing Positive For Covid 19
What is the decision of Niranjani Akhada?
Ravindra Puri Maharaj, secretary of the Niranjani Akhada said, "Given the situation of the pandemic in Haridwar, we have taken the decision to conclude the Kumbh on April 17," as per the news agency.
On the decision regarding the 'shahi snan' on April 27, the Akhada will take appropriate measures in line with the decision of Akhada Parishad. Only a bunch of sadhus will be taking part in the fourth 'shahi snan' from the akhada.
Uttarakhand recorded its highest single-day spike in infections on Thursday prompting the state government to issue a revised SOP, making it mandatory for cinema halls, restaurants, bars, and gyms to run at half their capacity.
The guidelines issued by the Centre and the state government for Kumbh Mela in January and February will remain in effect. The first bath was held on March 11 on the occasion of Mahashivratri, the second took place on April 14 and the third on April 14. The fourth shahi snan is scheduled on April 27.
The ongoing Kumbh Mela has been shortened this year to just one month from April 1 to 30 due to Covid. In usual circumstances, the event which comes once in 12 years, is held for nearly four months from mid-January to April.
At a time when the country reported over two lakh fresh Covid-19 cases for the second day on Friday, there have been questions raised over the conduct of the Kumbh Mela. On this, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat had earlier clarified that there is no comparison between the event held at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi last year and Kumbh in Haridwar citing that the former was held in a closed space while the latter is being held in a vast open area.
