Amid Covid pandemic, hundreds take dip in Ganga in Haridwar & Varanasi on Ganga Dussehra

June 20: The conglomeration of lakhs of devotees during the recently concluded Haridwar Kumbh Mela evoked great controversy throughout the country as it was alleged that such an occasion contributed to the further spread of coronavirus. Just 2 months later, once again, though not of that magnitude as the Kumbh, yet hundreds of devotees gathered to take a holy dip in Ganga river in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra on Sunday amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 protocols were blatantly violated as devotees, without face masks on and not maintaining social distance.

However, officials in-charge in Uttarakhand said, “We asked people to take holy dip at their homes. At border, only people with negative RT-PCR certificates are being allowed. We are urging people to follow Covid norms.” But criticisms poured in as around 1 lakh people during the Kumbh Mela were alleged to forge RTPCR reports. Many apprehended that this time too during the Ganga Dussehra, people might have got fake Covid-19 test reports.

Ganga Dussehra, also known as Gangavataran, is a Hindu festival celebrating the avatarana of the Ganges. It is believed by Hindus that the holy river Ganges descended from heaven to earth on this day. Ganga Dussehra takes place on Dashami of the waxing moon of the Hindu calendar month Jyeshtha. This year the day falls on 20 June.