Kumbh Mela 2021: What all you need to know before visiting Haridwar
The Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, Uttarakhand will take place from April 1 to April 30 on the banks of river Ganga.Along with the three “Shahi snan” (holy dips) on April 12, 14, and 27.
For the upcoming Kumbh Mela, the Centre on Sunday (January 24) issued guidelines in Uttarakhand. Meanwhile, keeping in mind the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Maha Kumbh Mela already began on January 14, 2021, and will end in April. In a cycle of 12 years, the Maha Kumbh is celebrated at four riverbank pilgrimage sites. Usually continues for three-and-a-half months. But this year due to the pandemic the Kumbh Mela will be held for 48 days in Haridwar. Thus, marking the end of the fair on April 27.
Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat on Wednesday assured that the state government is ready to organize a grand and safe Kumbh Mela. Also, concrete arrangements made for the convenience and safety of devotees.
To speed up the Kumbh Mela preparations, the Uttarakhand government authorized Garhwal Commissioner and the Kumbh Mela official to allocate works up to worth Rs 5 crore and Rs 2 crore. This decision was already made in a cabinet meeting on January 22 by the ex-chief minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat.
Preparations by the government:
Since mahakumbh receives devotees from various states of the country as well as from abroad the central government assures that necessary precautions must be taken. For the health and safety of the devotees following steps has been taken:
- The state government Demanded 20,000 additional vaccines from the centre.
- Deployment of the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos at the mela. The Uttarakhand Police Commissioner Ashok Kumar said, “To take action against the anti-national elements, two NSG teams will be deployed during Kumbh Mela. The NSG teams will also train our Anti-Terrorist Squad.”
- The government has also issued SOP’s for all the devotees.
Covid-19 Main guidelines for Kumbh Mela 2021:
All the inbound passengers in accordance with the Kumbh Mela must :
- Registered with Government Of Uttarakhand.
- Having vaccinated/medical certificate issued from nearest Community Health Centre/District hospital/Medical College in their state
- Negative RTPCR test report (not older than 72 hrs. prior to the date of visit) either on their mobile phone or in hard copies.
- Comply with the instructions available at –https://www.haridwarkumbhmela2021.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/sopsfor-kumbh-21.pd
Current situation Of Haridwar:
Currently, the massive crowd gathering can be seen at the har ki Pauri in the Haridwar which is the main location of the Shahi snan. Already the administration segregated several different spaces named akhadas.Along with the specific timings allocated for snan. The Central government has instructed to enforce stringent measures in accordance with covid. But still inappropriate behaviour in Haridwar during the ongoing Mahakumbh can be seen.
During random covid checking, several people within the crowd have tested positive. Also, many people are using false test report to enter States which have restriction requiring negative RTPCR test. Meanwhile, the country is dealing with the deadly second wave of covid-19. Hence, such a big crowd gathering can cause a rapid increase in the rate of transmission of the virus.
Do read: THE GREAT KUMBH MELA IN 2021 TO BE HELD IN HARIDWAR
