New Delhi, November 23:
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which takes place once every 12 years, will be held in its ‘divine form’ in Haridwar in 2021 amid COVID-19 restrictions, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said on Sunday.
On Sunday, Rawat attended a meeting with office-bearers of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) regarding the preparations for the 2021 Kumbh Mela, which will begin on January 14 and conclude on April 27. In 2021, it will be taking place after 11 years, a phenomenon that is happening after 80 years.
ABAP head Mahant Narendra Giri assured the government that the body will fully cooperate with the state government for the successful organisation of the Kumbh Mela.
Kumbh Mela Adhikari Deepak Rawat said to The New Indian Express that management of the crowds is being planned with adherence to the social distancing norms, and will be enforced through surveillance by a network of CCTV cameras. A 1,000-bed prefabricated hospital is being put in place for Covid-19, and a separate, 50-bed hospital for other ailments and emergencies. The Uttarakhand government will acquire an adequate number of masks, he said.
Rawat added that most of the work is nearing completion and will be completed by December 15. “Work on nine new ghats (river banks), eight bridges and roads being built for the Kumbh Mela is nearing completion. Special focus is on cleanliness. Works are also being done consistently on drinking water facilitation, parking facility and removal of encroachments,” he said.
As per a release by the Chief Minister’s Office, Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik said that well-planned arrangements will be made to ensure the devotees face no problem during the Kumbh Mela. Kaushik said that 35 to 50 lakh people are expected to take the holy dip in Ganga daily during the Kumbh Mela 2021.
The normal Kumbh Mela is held every 3 years, the Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela is held every six years at Haridwar and Allahabad (Prayag) while the Purna (complete) Kumbh Mela takes place every twelve years, at four places Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, based on planetary movements. The Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated at Prayag after 144 years (after 12 ‘Purna Kumbh Melas’).
