Kumbh: U’khand braces for last symbolic Shahi Shan
The event would be attended by the three Bairagi Akhadas which have agreed to ensure minimum presence of seers
HARIDWAR/DEHRADUN: Amid the sharp spike in the Covid-19 cases in Uttarakhand, the state government has braced up for the fourth and last Shahi Snan on Tuesday in the ongoing month-long Haridwar Mahakumbh.
The administration has claimed to have made all the required arrangements with the Akhadas deciding to attend it symbolically citing the pandemic situation and appeal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the third Shahi Snan on April 14.
To ensure the adherence to the Covid-19 protocol during the Shahi Snan, the Mela administration had also put some restrictions including prohibition on religious procession by seers before the holy dip, ban on musical bands among others.
The last Shahi Snan would be attended majorly by the three Bairagi Akhadas which have agreed to ensure minimum presence of their seers on the request made by Mela administration citing PM Modi’s appeal on April 14.
Earlier, four of the total 13 Akhadas mainly Juna, Niranjani, Atal and Aahwan had declared end to Mahakumbh for them on April 14 after which most of their seers already left their respective camps in the Mela area. However, as a symbolic participation, seven seers from Sanyasi Akhada, two from Udasin and one from Nirmal Akhada would be taking part symbolically in the holy dip along with the Bairagi Akhadas on Tuesday.
Ensuring a symbolic participation in Tuesday’s Shahi Snan, president of Nirvani Ani Akhada, Mahant Dharamdas said, “We are well aware of the pandemic situation which has brought many problems for the people. For us rituals and traditions have their own importance but human lives are also important. Hence, we would attend the Shahi Snan symbolically.” The presidents of Digambar Ani Akhada Mahant Ram Krishandas and Nirmohi Ani Akhada Mahant Rajendra Das too assured their symbolic participation in the last Shahi Snan. Claiming that the Mela administration has made all the required arrangements to ensure a “peaceful and Covid compliant” Shahi Snan on Tuesday, Mela officer Deepak Rawat said, “The last Shahi Snan of Mahakumbh 2021 will be held in a symbolic and restrictive way due to the Covid-19 situation.”
“We would ensure strict adherence to the Covid-19 precautions including social distancing and wearing of masks during the Shahi Snan for which proper allocation of time has been done for the participating Akhadas,” said Rawat.
He informed that as per the restrictions, all the three Bairagi Akhadas can have maximum of 150 vehicles to approach the Ganga Ghat for Shahi Snan.
“Among other restrictions, the pilgrims and local people can take the holy dip in the Ganga ghats of Har ki Pauri till 9am, after which the place would be reserved only for the seers till 6pm,” said Rawat.
“Each of the Akhadas can bring 100 seers for holy dip from their respective camps in Mela area,” he added.
Meanwhile, the state police has also claimed to have made all the required security arrangements for the last Shahi Snan in the Mela area.
Inspector Praveen Alok, media in-charge of the Mela force said, “The state police personnel with those from Central paramilitary forces would be deployed in the Mela area to ensure the security arrangements on Tuesday.”
Alok said, “About 2000-3000 security personnel would be deployed in the Mela area. Though it is expected that the number of pilgrims would be low due to the pandemic situation, the security forces would make all the required arrangements to ensure no untoward incident happens during the Shahi Snan.”
Amid the spike in Covid-19 cases in the state, Haridwar district on Sunday reported 1,144 new Covid-19 cases out of the total 4,368 in state. Also, out of the total 35,864 active cases, Haridwar district has 10,218 cases with 216 deaths so far since the outbreak of pandemic last March.
Since the beginning of the Mahakumbh on April 1, many people including at least 105 seers had tested positive. Two Mahamandleshwars or head of the Akhadas had also succumbed to the infection.