Kumbh Mela 2021 Begins in Haridwar, Over 7 Lakh Devotees Take Holy Dip in Ganga

According to the Information Department of the Uttarakhand government over 7 lakh devotees took a holy dip in the bank of river Ganga.

The government said that all the COVID-19 health protocols were followed during the first day and for flouting the guidelines over 947 people were fined.

For the safety of devotees during the Kumbh Mela, soldiers of Uttarakhand's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Central Paramilitary Force (CPF) Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC), and 5 teams of Bomb Disposal Squad has been placed in Haridwar, the state government said.

Moreover, the concerned authorities have also installed over 1,000 CCTV cameras to keep a strict vigil on the entire Mela.

The Kumbh Mela is organized in four river-bank pilgrimage sites in India. The event rotates between four locations- Prayag in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra's Nashik, Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain, and in Haridwar in Uttarakhand. The Mela is organized beside holy rivers so that the devotees can dip into the water and seek atonement or penance for their sins.

Kumbh Mela is one of the most auspicious and biggest rituals of Hindus.

Etymologically, 'Kumbh' means a 'pot' or a 'pitcher' while 'Mela' means a 'fair'.Now as per Hindu mythology, this pot is actually the container of the 'amrit', or the nectar of immortality. 

According to the scriptures, if a person takes bath in the holy water of Ganga during the Kumbh Mela, they get 'Moks' salvation.

The Mela will continue till April 27, 2021. Due to the novel global Pandemic instead of three-and-a-half months this year the Mela will be held for 48 days.

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