Amid COVID crisis, PM Modi urges to keep Kumbh participation symbolic

New Delhi, April 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Swami Avdheshanand Giri over the telephone, requesting that Kumbh Mela should now only be symbolic in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic now that two 'shahi snans' (holy baths) have concluded.

 

"I spoke to Swami Awadheshanand Giri, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar on the phone today and asked about the health of all saints. All the saints are giving all kinds of support to the administration. I thanked them for this and prayed that since two royal baths have taken place, the Kumbh be kept symbolic due to the coronavirus crisis. This will give strength to the fight against this crisis," PM Modi posted on Twitter in Hindi.

 

 

Responding to his appeal, Swami Avdheshanand Giri, Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Juna Akhara requested people to not come for baths in large numbers and follow all rules.

 

 

"We honour the call of Hon'ble Prime Minister. Protecting life is a great virtue. My religious religion urges the public not to come for a bath in large numbers and observe the rules, given the circumstances of the Covid-19," the seer said acknowledging the prime minister's call.

 

 

 

The ongoing Kumbh Mela, which has seen people from across the country attending the auspicious event in large numbers, drew the ire of various quarters as the COVID-19 crisis escalated in the past few weeks. The event itself reported coronavirus cases in large numbers, leading many to call it a super spreader event.

 

The Kumbh was shortened to just one month from April 1 to 30 in view of the pandemic this year. It is held from mid-January to April once in 12 years in normal circumstances.

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