Kumbh Mela 2021 to be Continued till April 30th, No Early Close

Uttrakhand- According to the officials, the Mahakumbh Mela will continue to take place till April 30 and there have not yet been any discussions for the celebrations to stop early even as the numbers of COVID 19 is skyrocketing and spiraling out of control with every passing day. 

As per the discussion held between the religious leaders and the government of Uttrakhand earlier on Wednesday, the religious leaders showed no desire to cancel the event early. The officials also added that no discussion took place in the evening meaning there will be no end to the massive gatherings in Kumbh. 

Thousands of devotees gathered on the banks of the river for the holy dip adding fuel to the grave situation of an alarming spike of coronavirus cases all across the country. 

This morning, large crowds of Sadhus and devotees went for the "Shahi Snan" or "royal bath" to the main ghat on the third major bathing day of the week-long festival. 

On what is considered to be the most auspicious day of this Hindu festival, the state government reported that an astonishing 9,43,452 devotees had taken a dip on the ghat till 2 PM. 

Police officer Sanjay Gunjyal told Reuters that people are being fined for not following social distancing in non-crowded ghats, but it is very hard to fine people in the main ghats because it is very crowded. 

The next significant day in the Mahakumbh festival is on the 27th of April. 

Reports of thousands of saffron-clad seers and Naga sadhus flouting Covid norms to converge at Har Ki Pauri to take the shahi snan as come to fight. The state administration is having a very difficult time implementing Covid 19 safety protocols such as thermal screening, wearing of masks, sanitization of hands, and the maintenance of social distancing. 

Meanwhile, according to the Union Home Ministry data, India reports the highest ever single-day spike in the cases of COVID 19 with 1,84,372 fresh cases. The cases have been going in an upward spiral for the 35th consecutive day. The total tally of caseload as of Wednesday amounts to 1,38,73,825 while India crosses the 13 lakhs mark of active caseloads.

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