25,000 devotees, over 1,000 seers mark last shahi snan

After an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and amid criticism over violation of Covid protocols at the Mela, the akharas had agreed to mark a symbolic Kumbh Mela to avoid any new coronavirus infections.

IG Kumbh Mela, Sanjay Gunjyal, told The Indian Express, “Following appeal from the Prime Minister and constant review by the Chief Minister, akharas cooperated in keeping the crowd low today. There were meetings with akharas daily over the last three days on crowd management. They followed social distancing too. Even Naga sadhus wore masks.”

Police personnel also participated in a shahi snan and officials said it was “symbolic”. Before the shahi snan Tuesday, Gunjyal visited every akhara camp to ensure attendance was restricted.

According to data shared by the police, around 85 seers from Niranjani and Anand akhadas, 250 from Juna, Agni and Ahvaham; 80 from Mahanirvani and Atal; around 600 from Nirmohi, Nirvani and Diganmbar, around 230 from Bada Udaseen and Naya Udaseen and 100 from Nirmal akhara took part in the shahi snan Tuesday.

The footfall of devotees during the first shahi snan on March 11 was 32 lakh and the figure was almost the same on the second shahi snan on April 14. Attendance came down to 13 lakh on the third shahi snan on April 14.

Juna Akhara spokesperson Mahant Narayan Giri said, “In view of appeals from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, we kept the shahi snan symbolic today. Around 5,000 seers and followers with 150 chariots had taken part in each of the past three shahi snans… Around 90 per cent seers and followers who had come from other states have already returned.”