THDC begins its final preparation to release additional water for Kumbh Mela celebration

The THDC India Limited (THDCIL) has finalised its preparation to release additional water from the Tehri Lake in Tehri district for the religious ghats on the banks of Ganga downstream from Devprayag to Haridwar for the coming auspicious occasion of Kumbh Mela, the religious event that is considered to be largest congregation of Hindu devotees in the world.

According to the THDC officials, all the ghats will have ample water for the Kumbh Mela rituals to be performed on the bank of the river Ganga downstream. The Kumbh Snan festivities will begin from January 14th (Makar Sankranti) .

Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world, is held every 12 years in rotation at the four holy places of Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain and Nasik and the 2021 edition will be held at Haridwar. 

 The saints from different akharas along with millions of pilgrims will congregate to take a dip in the holy river Ganga starting from 14th January.

Due to less rain and snow in the higher Himalaya in last winters, the water levels have receded considerably. The water level recorded at  Bagirathi river last week was 79 cumecs while at Bhilangana river the water level recorded was around 10.26 cumecs. The irrigation department had demanded  from THDC to release 160 to 240 cumecs of water daily for Kumbh Mela. THDC, on its part accepting the demand has finalised its plan to release the water from Tehri lake. Presently, the water level at Tehri lake was around 813 Reservoir Level Meter and around 250 cumecs of water is being released by THDC. According to THDC officials they are ensuring that there is ample water for Kumbh mela.

We are releasing water from lake as per the demand and the department has made all arrangements for the release of the water to the ghats for Kumbh Mela celebrations said Vinay Badoni Executive director THDC.

Wednesday, 30 December 2020 | Vinod Chamoli | New Tehri