Kumbh Mela duration curtailed to 1 month

Kumbh Mela duration curtailed to 1 month

The duration of the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar has been reduced to just one month for the first time in its history in view of the recent increase in Covid-19 cases and pilgrims have been made mandatory to have a “negative” RT-PCR test. Show up to attend the mega congregation.

According to a notification, the congregation on the banks of the Ganges at Haridwar in Uttarakhand will take place from April 1 to 30, with three dates of “shahi snan” (important baths) on April 12, 14, and 27.

Thousands of devotees bathe in the holy river during the mela and their number multiplies in the days of “shahi snan”. The authorities also expect a large turnout on the occasions of Chaitra Pratipada on April 13 and Ram Navami on April 21.

Held once every 12 years, the congregation usually lasts about three and a half months. Its last edition was held in Haridwar from January 14 to April 28, 2010.

According to the notification issued on Wednesday, the Kumbh Kshetra (area) covers Neergarh, Tapovan, Bitthal Ashram Marg up to Muni-Ki-Reti Road and the Rishi-Haridwar ring road in the north, and the Narendra Nagar-Rishikesh ring road, the checkpoint forest in Rishikesh. -Dehradun Road, Rishikesh-Haridwar Ring Road, Mansa Devi, Billkeshwar Mandir, Tibri Mohand, BHEL residential buildings, Roorkee-Bahadarabad road and up to 13 km on the Haridwar-Delhi road in the west.

In the south, the congregation area will extend from the Bahadarabad-Haridwar bypass? To Siddha Sot Setu and from Siddha Sot Setu to the temple of Neelkanth Mahadev in the east.

The Uttarakhand High Court has made a “negative” RT-PCR test report mandatory, no more than 72 hours before arrival, for devotees. Devotees who have received the Covid-19 vaccine will need to upload their certificate to an official portal and follow the guidelines.

After the Center called for strict measures to control the spread of Covid-19 during Kumbh, the Uttarakhand government asked people to strictly follow the appropriate Covid-19 behavior during the congregation in view of the further increase in infections in various parts. from the country. .

In light of guidelines issued by central and state governments in the past for surveillance, containment, and precaution, Chief Secretary Om Prakash on Monday called on district administrations, various central and state government organizations, and other Stakeholders who take all necessary measures to guarantee the use of a mask, maintenance of hand hygiene and social distancing of people.

These measures are also included in the national directives for the management of Covid-19 that must be strictly followed throughout the state, he said.

The Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had recently written to the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand ? stressing the need for strict measures to control the spread of the pandemic, especially during the congregation.