Kumbha Mela

The houses and offices of top executives of five diagnostics firms were raided by the Enforcement Directorate on August 6 after the Uttarakhand Police filed a case over money laundering. During Kumbh Mela, the Uttarakhand government had given contracts to these firms for rapid antigen and RT-PCR testing. However, along with less than the required number of testing, the labs recorded fake entries and bogus bills.

Concerning the COVID-19 second wave, Uttarakhand HC on April 21, has directed the government to release Standard Operating Procedure on conducting Char Dham Yatra, scheduled from May 14. Recently, in Kumbh Mela the pilgrims openly flouted COVID-19 guidelines creating panic. Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma have asked the state government to establish mobile testing vans and build hospitals with support from the central… read-more

Karnataka government asks the Kumbh Mela returnees to isolate themselves at home on return. It has asked the pilgrims to get the RT-PCR test and then can carry on with their daily activities only when the test is negative. Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar tweeted requesting the pilgrims to strictly follow the SOPs.

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat has stated on November 24 that pilgrims would be allowed to take holy bath only after testing negative for the COVID-19. The CM added that thermal screening and rapid antigen tests would be conducted at every entry points of the festival. Moreover, he opined that spiritual leaders should urge the pilgrims to follow the COVID-19 precautionary norms.… read-more

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat has decided to organize the Haridwar Kumbha Mela 2021 in a restricted manner with limitations in the number of pilgrims. The decision was taken to contain the spread of COVID-19. He said, "Passes will be issued to devotees as the congregation will be numerically restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic." The government has directed that preparations for Kumbha Mela must be completed by December 2020.