India's Kumbh festival drew large crowds amid a violent second wave of COVID.

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as India battled a violent second wave of ติดตั้งสล็อต xo coronavirus, millions of believers descended on the banks of the Ganges in the northern city of Haridwar to take a dip in the water.The Hindus believe that the holy river and its immersion will cleanse their sins and bring salvation.But the government of Uttarakhand, where Haridwar is home, is facing heavy criticism for allowing the Kumbh Mela festival to continue in the midst of a significantly worsening coronavirus. On Thursday, India reported more than 200,000 cases of COVID for the first time since the epidemic.An influential Hindu congregation decided not to attend the big festival "Kumbh Mela is over for us," Ravindra Puri, secretary general of Niranjani Akhada or the meeting, quoted in local media.

The decision came a day after another prominent group leader, Swami Kapildev, died after being diagnosed with COVID-19.It is not clear how many enthusiasts the Kumbh Mela has tested positive since the first day of the bath on March 11, but Haridwar Chief Medical Officer Dr SK Jha said there were more than 1,600 cases. The earnings were confirmed among the disciples between April 10 and 14.But there are fears that the numbers could be higher and that many people returning home could contract the disease nationwide.India has confirmed more than 14 million cases and 174,000 deaths from the virus, with a sharp drop in the number of cases in January and February. But now the number of cases and deaths is on the rise, hospitals across the country are reporting shortages of beds, oxygen tanks and drugs.

The increase in the case did not prevent people from joining Kumbh Mela Ujwal Puri, a 34-year-old businessman, arrived in Haridwar on March 9 with a bottle of antiseptic, a mask and vitamin pills.Mr Puri expected to have a rigorous check on the coronavirus safety, but he told the BBC he did not face checks at the airport or in Haridwar, one of his photos from the festival showed crowds. At the shore waiting to take a dip in one night Many people can see it without wearing a mask or pulling it down to their chin.There is no social distance. Mr. Phuri said, "people were sitting down to pray in the evening.He was at the festival for three days, he said, and took off his mask in public. "Just once to take a selfie with a seer," "I entrust everything to God," he said.

When he returned to Mumbai, Puri locked himself in his room, he said, and was tested for himself, "I live with my parents so I take care of everything I can.But not everyone has taken these measures, there is a warning that the Kumbh Mela can act as an incident. super-spreader.Kumbh should be postponed,” says historian Gopal Bhardwaj. “Kumbh was meant to bring peace to the inner self. How can we find inner peace if a loved one is infected with COVID?Others disagreed. Raghavendra Das, a saint at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, said: "Electoral rallies are not super spreader? Why the tavern. They are not infectious. coronavirus?

That would help little reassurance for those who live in Haridwar and fear the pilgrimage influx makes them vulnerable to the virus.These pilgrims will return home in a day or two. But who knows what they have left? ”Said Mithilleh Sinha of Haridwar.Fear of the growing COVID risk prompted another resident, Sachdanand Dabral, to file a court petition last year asking how the state is prepared in the event of COVID, Dabral blames Tirath Singh Rawat. Who is the chief minister of Uttarakhand in the event of allowing people to enter the state without examination. The was unable to reach Mr Rawat for comment.Shiv Bhatt, a lawyer for Mr Dabral, was part of an official court-appointed committee that visited Haridwar in March to make arrangements for Kumbh Mela, Mr Bhatt said the hospital included a COVID care center. Defined, lack of basic amenities

Toilets and wards are in poor condition. There is no sleeping tray and trash can. The elevator doesn't work, ”he said.But Ms Ja said that all problems in the committee report have been resolved. And enthusiasts still go to the shores, often without masks and staying close to each other, although officials try to enforce the coronavirus safety rules at the festival.Sandeep Shinde, a painter from Mumbai, said he enjoyed the experience of the Kumbh Mela earlier this month. Mr Shinde was situated in a large hall, where about 10 worshipers slept on a futon on the floor.It's beautiful to come here and experience the people taking a dip in the holy water. I didn't hear anyone around me talking about the corona, no one talking about the virus,” he said.