Kumbh Mela: Niranjani Akhada announces conclusion of Kumbh on Saturday

Amid an increase in Covid-19 cases across the country, the Panchayati Niranjani Akhada announced on Thursday (15 April) that the Kumbh will end on Saturday (17 April).

“Given the pandemic situation in Haridwar, we have decided to end the Kumbh on April 17,” said Ravindra Puri Maharaj, secretary of the Niranjani Akhada, one of the 13 akhadas.

The Akhada Parishad said they will take a call on the ritual of Shahi Snan on April 27. “A group of sadhus from our akhada will take part in the fourth shahi snan ” said RP Maharaj.

Kumbh Mela is highly regarded by Hindus and especially Hindu seers who believe in celebrating this event for nearly four months in UP. But this year’s pandemic has reduced to just one month. This year about 2,300 trains were arranged for the seers to reach the Kumbh mela.

Uttarakhand reported over 2,000 Covid-19 cases on Friday (16 April). The number of reported cases in the state has nearly doubled from the 1,100 cases reported on April 8th. The Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest peaceful gathering of pilgrims, during which participants bathe or take a dip in a sacred river.

It is held every 12 years on the banks of the Godavari and Shipra rivers in Nashik, the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Haridwar, and the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj.