Haridwar Kumbh Mela: Amid Increasing Covid-19 Cases, Niranjani Akhada Announces Conclusion Of Kumbh On Saturday

Amid growing Covid-19 cases across the country, Panchayati Niranjani Akhada on Thursday (15 April) announced the conclusion of the Kumbh on Saturday (17 April).

"Given the situation of the pandemic in Haridwar, we have taken the decision to conclude the Kumbh on April 17," said Ravindra Puri Maharaj, secretary of the Niranjani Akhada which is one of the 13 akhadas.

"Regarding the shahi snan on 27 April, we will take steps in accordance with the decision of Akhada Parishad. A bunch of sadhus will participate in the fourth shahi snan from our akhada," Maharaj said.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s Kumbh Mela which usually continues for four months was already curtailed to one month, reports Hindustan Times.

On Friday (16 April), Uttarakhand reported more than 2,000 Covid-19 cases. The state has seen the reported cases almost double from 1,100 cases reported on 8 April.

Kumbh Mela is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, during which participants bathe or take a dip in a sacred river.

It takes place once every 12 years on the banks of the Godavari river in Nashik, the Shipra river in Ujjain, the Ganga river in Haridwar, and the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the Saraswati river in Prayagraj.