Amid the second wave of Covid 19, Kumbh Mela 2021 isbeing celebrated in Haridwar, Uttrakhand. The state witnessed mahakumbh offaith and is now witnessing mahakumbh of coronavirus. Many saints and otherpilgrims are infected with the infection and more reports are awaited.
Meanwhile, the 13 arenas that came to Kumbh for royalbaths have engaged in a skirmish, accusing each other of the spread ofcoronavirus in the fair. The Bairagi Akhara has alleged that the spread ofinfection started from the Sanyasi Akhara; Mahant Rajendra Das, president ofthe Nirmohi Akhara blamed Akhara Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri forincreasing number of cases.
Till now, 17 Niranjani Arena saints have tested positiveincluding Mahant Ravindra Puri. About 50 saints have tested positive andreports of around 200 saints are yet to come. In total, more than 2000 pilgrimsincluding saints are hit by the infection. Uttarakhand has witnessed anincrease in corona cases by 8814% within a month. Earlier, Uttarakhand hadreported only 172 cases from February 14 to February 28. From April 1 to April15, Uttarkhand had reported 15,333 cases.
After the death of Mahamandaleshwar Kapil Dev ofMahanirvani Akhara died, the Niranjani Akhara had announced the end of KumbhMela. At this, seers of other arenas were displeased. They said that NiranjaniArana had no right to conclude the Kumbh. Nirvani Ani Akhada president MahantDharmdas said, “Only chief minister or the mela officer has the right toannounce the end of Kumbh Mela”
Witnessing a huge surge in Covid cases after lakhs ofpeople attended Kumbh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has alleged people to makeKumbh 2021 symbolic to help the country fight against the infection. Hetweeted, “Spoke to Acharya Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji on the phone today.Enquired about the health of all saints. All the saints are providing supportto the administration for smooth conduct of the affair and I thanked them forit.”