Kumbh Mela Ends; 70 Lakh Devotees Participated

The ‘super-spreader’ Haridwar’s Kumbh Mela witnessed a whopping 70 Lakh devotees, as per the latest reports. The religious congregation wrapped up on Friday with enormous masses joining the rituals.

The religious event is often described as a magical experience that uplifts one’s soul and bringing in enlightenment, according to devotees. But, least did we ruminate about the adverse effects of consolidating an enormous crowd. Ironically, the 2021 event was reduced to one month.

Usually, Kumbh Mela is held over three months but this time, it has officially commenced as late as April 1 due to concerned Covid-19 circumstances. A total tally of 2,600 devotees tested positive out of the nearly two lakh tests conducted by medical personnel during the Mela.

“The situation was extremely challenging for us as the crowd, though relatively smaller this time was big enough to violate the norms of social distancing” said the Medical officer for Kumbh Arjun Singh Sengar.

Netizens also questioned the government on why the Kumbh meal has been conducted in 2021. Haridwar’s Mela was supposed to happen next year, twelve years after the last one, in 2010. But, people alleged that the government agreed to bring it forward to 2021, for astrological reasons.