On Saturday, when the number of COVID-19 cases in the country surpassed 2.3 lakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested a halt to the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, recommending to ‘akharas’ (congregations of Hindu seers) that the event be ended with symbolic rituals.
PM Modi tweeted on Saturday morning that he had spoken with Swami Awadeshananda Giri over the phone and recommended that the Kumbh be shortened after enquiring about the wellbeing of Hindu seers gathered for the gathering. He tweeted about his chat with the Swami, saying, “Now that the Shahi Snans (ritual baths in the Ganga on particular dates) are over, the remainder of the activities should be done in a symbolic way.”
Responding to PM Modi’s tweet, Swami Awadeshananda replied in Hindi: “We respect PM Modi’s appeal. Saving lives is sacred. I request people to not gather for the ritual bath in large numbers and follow all Covid protocols.”
Every 12 years, lakhs of devotees congregate on the banks of the Ganga for the Kumbh Mela, which includes several rituals, including ceremonial baths in the Ganga on unique dates. More than 9.5 lakh devotees from various ‘akharas’ took a dip on the Baisakhi Snan day, April 14th.
Mahamandleshwar Kapil Dev Das, one of the seers, died of COVID-19, though scores of others tested positive. The Kumbh Mela, with its huge crowds, was being billed as a mega spreader event amid rising cases. Mr. Modi’s recommendation to cancel the event comes after a significant increase in cases in Uttarakhand, the state hosting the event.
