Makar Sankranti 2022: Ganga Snan holds a great importance on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Lakhs of devotees come from all corners of the country to take a dip of faith in the Ganges. But this time the festival is being celebrated amid the third wave of Covid-19. In the light of constant surge in the Covid-19 cases, the Haridwar district administration has become cautious. The authorities have taken a major decision regarding Ganga Snan that happens during Makar Sankranti.
Administration's decision on Makar Sankranti Snan
The last few days have witnessed a steady rise in Covid-19 cases in Haridwar. After this rise in cases, the Haridwar district administration has banned devotees from taking a dip on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on January 14. At the same time, a ban has been imposed on entry of people at the Har Ki Pauri also. District Collector Vinay Shankar Pandey said that a night curfew will be imposed from 10 pm to 6 am on January 14. Devotees from other districts and other states will not be allowed to come here on the day of Makar Sankranti. People were being instructed to follow Covid appropriate guidelines.
Decision taken in view of Covid-19
Actually, on Makar Sankranti, lakhs of devotees take a dip of faith together in Haridwar. In such a situation, the risk of Covid-19 can get aggravated. Keeping this in mind the administration has taken these stringent steps. If this was not banned, it would have been a challenge to handle the large number of devotees coming here. Not only that, these decisions have been taken so that this 'Snan' does not turn into a Covid-19 hotspot. Along with Haridwar, the Rishikesh administration has also banned the 'Snan' on Makar Sankranti.