Preparations are in full swing in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar as Kumbh Mela 2021 is set to begin on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. on Thursday, March 11. Kumbh Mela is going to be held in Haridwar after a gap of 11 years. It was last held in 2010. Kumbh Mela is a religious pilgrimage, one of the largest mass gatherings at one place. It is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years and spans four river-bank pilgrimage sites, namely Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 protocols will be in place throughout the duration of Kumbh Mela this year. Here is all you need to know

Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2021 is set to begin on March 11 and will go for a month till April 10. The Uttarakhand government has decided to limit the Kumbh this year to 30 days due to coronavirus pandemic.

All participants will have to register on the Kumbh Mela Administration’s official website dsclservices.org.in/kumbh and upload documents including a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report, taken up to 72 hours prior, after which, an e-pass will be generated.

Which Akhada will open for Shahi Snan first?

The first holy bath in the Ganga river at Kumbh Mela is quite special for Sadhus (saints) of the Akhadas. The Akhadas take the holy bath in a specific order according to their arrangement. Mahant Narendra Giri, the national president of the Akhada Parishad, said that first Juna, Agni and Aavahana Akhada will take the holy bath.

After this comes Niranjani and Anand’s turn to take the holy dip in Ganga river. In the end, the Mahanirvani Akhada and the Atal Akhada will take the holy bath. Each Akhada has been given half an hour for Shahi Snan.

COVID-19 guidelines for Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2021:

People violating COVID-19 SOPs at 2021 Kumbh Mela Haridwar, will be prosecuted.

During the mela, pilgrims must maintain a distance of 6 feet.

Pilgrims will not be allowed to enter religious places without wearing face masks.

Those coming from abroad will have to follow guidelines prescribed by the Union Health Ministry.

Anybody having found Covid-19 symptoms during thermal screening will be immediately isolated and reported to the Mela administration and control room.

Ashrams and Dharamshalas will be sanitized from time to time.

Police personnel, trained volunteers, staff, and swimmers will be deployed to ensure safety and safe distance at bathing ghats in the Mela area.

Dustbins will be kept at ghats for disposal of used gloves, masks, and disposal of bio-medical waste.

Hand sanitiser stalls have been put up at several places across the Mela area, which spreads over Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal and Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand.

Changing rooms have been built in places and volunteers will keep sanitising the area.