Flouting Covid norms, devotees throng Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri ahead of 'Shahi Snan'

The Maha Kumbh, a religious congregation of Hindu seers and devotees, commenced in Haridwar earlier this month.

Haridwar in Uttarakhand reported 372 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Sunday less than 24 hours before the second 'Shahi Snan' in the holy city.

During random testing at Har Ki Pauri on Sunday, at least nine individuals were found positive for Covid-19.

The 'Shahi Snan' is a ritual part of the ongoing Maha Kumbh, which is held once every 12 years at each of India's four river-bank pilgrimage sites.

On Sunday, massive crowds were seen at the Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar which is the site of the 'Shahi Snan'. Most people seen at Har Ki Pauri were neither wearing masks nor adhering to social distancing protocols.

The administration has allocated time for each of the seven 'Sanyasi' akhadas, three 'Bairagi' akhadas and three 'Vaishnav' akhadas to take part in 'Shahi Snan' between 8.30 am and 3 pm on Monday.

The central government had earlier this month instructed the Uttarakhand government to enforce stringent measures to ensure Covid-appropriate behaviour in Haridwar during the ongoing Maha Kumbh.

Responding to a question on whether the Maha Kumbh could become a super-spreader event, Niti Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul had told the media, "We hope that the SOP issued for Kumbh Mela is being followed."