Top seer dies, 30 sadhus contract Covid-19; two Akhadas to exit from Kumbh Mela

April 16: 30 sadhus who attended the mega religious event, the Kumbh Mela 2021 in Haridwar have tested positive for COVID-19. Mahamandaleshwar Kapil Dev Das, 65, of the Nirwani Akhada of the Nirwani Akhada of MP, one of the 13 main akhadas, died from Covid-19 complications at a private facility in Haridwar on Thursday at the Maha Kumbh area.

Meanwhile, Niranjani Akhara, on Thursday announced that it has decided to opt out of Kumbh Mela due to the deteriorating coronavirus situation in Uttarakhand. Anand Akhara has also announced to Kumbh from April 17. There are a total of 13 akhadas (Hindu ascetic councils) participating in the Kumbh Mela. A total of 2,167 people were found positive for COVID-19 in Haridwar, the place where the month-long Kumbh Mela is going on in the last five days. Medical workers conducted 236,751 tests over the five-day period in the mela site.

The ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar has been shortened to just one month from April 1 to 30 due to the coronavirus outbreak. The next Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) is on 27 April. The Akhada Parishad, the apex body of all 13 akhadas, is planning to take part in the next royal bath but only a few saints will go for the dip.