Sunday, 18 April 2021 | PNS | Haridwar/New Delhi
After PM’s urge, opinion grows in favour of holding rest of rituals symbolically
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to keep the remaining part of Kumbh Mela symbolic considering the surging Covid-19 cases, the Juna Akhada Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri on Saturday announced the formal conclusion of the Maha Kumbh for the Akhada.
Panch Dash Nam Juna Akhada is the largest of the 13 Akhadas.
Swami Avdheshanand Giri said the remaining Shahi Snan of the Kumbh should be observed symbolically on April 27 and later tweeted that protecting the lives of Indians is “our first priority”.
“Considering the rising threat of Covid-19, we have formally immersed the various deities invoked for the Kumbh Mela,” he said.
Earlier in a tweet in Hindi, the PM said, “I prayed that two ‘Shahi Snan’ have taken place and Kumbh (participation) should now be kept symbolic. This will boost the fight against this crisis.”
Later, Modi thanks all the sants for cooperation with the administration and expressed his gratitude for their gesture.
Thousands of Kumbh visitors have tasted Covid-19 positives and dozens of seers have succumbed to the virus during the last two weeks inviting both domestic and international outrage for allowing such massive gathering at the time when the second wave of Covid-19 was spreading like wildfire across the country.
Earlier, addressing the media here, Giri said the PM had telephoned him to enquire about the Kumbh Mela and the health of the seers. The PM had also requested that since the main Shahi Snans have concluded, the remaining Kumbh should be observed symbolically. The Juna Akhada head said he would request devotees from across the nation to visit Haridwar only in small numbers, adding that the remaining Shahi Snan will be observed only symbolically.
The remaining Snans are to be observed mainly by the Bairagi Akhadas. Earlier, the Niranjani Akhada had asked its Sadhus to leave for their respective destinations on April 17 considering the Covid surge. The Anand Akhada had also supported this view.
A majority of the 48.51 lakh people who took part in the last two royal baths (Shahi Snan) held on the occasion of Somwati Amavasya on April 12 and Mesh Sankranti on April 14 were seen openly violating Covid norms like face masks and social distancing.
The Kumbh has already been shortened this year to just one month from April 1 to 30 due to the pandemic.
