Dangers from spiritual festivals in the middle of a pandemic 6
As the number of nCoV infections in India increased last month, millions of people still gathered to soak in the Ganges River during the Kumbh Mela festival.
On May 8, India reported more than 400,000 new cases, setting a global record.
Some states and cities announced blockades to prevent the virus from spreading, but Covid-19 has devastated the Indian health system, with patients managing their own treatment.
The huge wave of epidemics taking place amid one of the busiest events on the planet has sparked criticism that the government should cut back or completely cancel some religious activities.
Ashish Jha, dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University, said the Kumbh Mela could `become the largest superspreader event in history during this pandemic`.
`It brings people from all over together,` he said.
Hindu devotees gather on the banks of the Ganges River during the Kumbh Mela festival in Haridwar, India, April 13.
Kumbh Mela is a major festival, taking place between four locations, attracting many Hindus, celebrities, tourists and even royalty.
Ahead of this year’s festival, India’s Ministry of Health said state authorities had not performed enough necessary testing, warning of `the possibility of the number of infections escalating`.
Despite the epidemic, Tirath Singh Rawat, leader of the state where the Kumbh Mela takes place, has called on people to participate in the festival.
`No one will be stopped in the name of Covid-19. We are sure that faith in God will overcome fear of the virus,` he declared.
Chandrama Das Tyagi, priest of a famous Hindu temple in Bhopal city, came to the festival on April 6 with devotees.
The friend who accompanied Tyagi tested negative for the virus, but the temple coordinator was not sure about the situation of the rest of the group.
Patchy testing, tracing and quarantine efforts resulted in many cases.
`60 cases is a big number for a small place like us. Things could have been better,` he said.
In Ahmedabad, Gujarat state, many pilgrims returned on trains.
Crowds crowded into the Kumbh Mela festival amid Covid-19, April 13.
In Uttarakhand, where the Kumbh Mela is taking place, cases have spiked.
On April 17, after the two main rituals ended, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on followers to attend the remainder of the festival in a `symbolic` way to `reinvigorate the fight against Covid-19`.
Mr. Modi’s somewhat soft handling is in stark contrast to the tough moves last year, when the pandemic first started.
The Kumbh Mela is by far the biggest event throughout April, surpassing many election rallies, sports matches and weddings.
Jacob John, Tamil Nadu state epidemiologist, said: `There is no doubt that community gatherings cause the disease to spread faster.`
Unlike political rallies, the Kumbh Mela attracts people from all corners, allowing variations in one region to spread to other regions.
Religious leaders who participated in the Kumbh Mela said they have no regrets.
`Covid-19 comes and goes, but the festival for the gods cannot stop,` said Dharamdasji, a 73-year-old monk who sent hundreds of thousands of members to the Kumbh Mela.
