March 15, 2026 09:27 pm (IST)

Make this your homepage

News

‘Fight to save Bengal’s soul’: Modi launches blistering attack on TMC at Kolkata rally | ‘Fight to save Bengal’s soul’: Modi launches blistering attack on TMC at Kolkata rally | Trump claims US ‘totally obliterated’ military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island | Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk set to walk free after nearly six months of detention | BJP-TMC clash near Bengal minister’s home in Kolkata ahead of Modi’s Brigade rally | 'Nobody will hire them': Supreme Court says menstrual leave would backfire, hurt women's careers | Rupee sinks to record low as West Asia conflict shakes Indian markets | ₹20 lakh crore wiped out: Indian markets post worst week in 4 years amid West Asia tensions | America’s flip-flop on Russian oil: How Washington sends conflicting signals to India | Big diplomatic win! Iran allows Indian oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz

Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela should now be symbolic, tweets PM Modi amid rising COVID-19 cases

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | Apr 17, 2021, at 03:03 pm

#COVID19 #KumbhMela #NarendraModi #ShahiSnan

New Delhi: Indian PM Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed that the annual Kumbh Mela "should now only be symbolic" due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

आचार्य महामंडलेश्वर पूज्य स्वामी अवधेशानंद गिरि जी से आज फोन पर बात की। सभी संतों के स्वास्थ्य का हाल जाना। सभी संतगण प्रशासन को हर प्रकार का सहयोग कर रहे हैं। मैंने इसके लिए संत जगत का आभार व्यक्त किया।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2021

He said in a tweet that he spoke to Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha president Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj over the issue of Kumbh Mela.

मैंने प्रार्थना की है कि दो शाही स्नान हो चुके हैं और अब कुंभ को कोरोना के संकट के चलते प्रतीकात्मक ही रखा जाए। इससे इस संकट से लड़ाई को एक ताकत मिलेगी। @AvdheshanandG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2021

The Hindu annual religious gathering event attracts large numbers of pilgrims every year.

India is witnessing a massive spike in COVID-19 cases in recent times.

Swami Avdheshanand Giri, meanwhile, tweeted to say that he respects Modi' appeal and urged people to follow protocols amid COVID-19 crisis.

माननीय प्रधानमंत्री जी के आह्वान का हम सम्मान करते हैं ! स्वयं एवं अन्यों के जीवन की रक्षा महत पुण्य है।मेरा धर्म परायण जनता से आग्रह है कि कोविड की परिस्थितियों को देखते हुए #COVID के नियमों का निर्वहन करें ! @narendramodi @AmitShah @TIRATHSRAWAT #KumbhMela2021 #कुम्भमेला https://t.co/zax1JA60nT
— Swami Avdheshanand (@AvdheshanandG) April 17, 2021

He said people should not come in large numbers for the holy bath.

माननीय प्रधानमंत्री जी के आह्वान का हम सम्मान करते हैं ! जीवन की रक्षा महत पुण्य है।मेरा धर्म परायण जनता से आग्रह है कि कोविड की परिस्थितियों को देखते हुए भारी संख्या में स्नान के लिए न आएँ एवं नियमों का निर्वहन करें ! @narendramodi @AmitShah @TIRATHSRAWAT #KumbhMela2021 #कुम्भ https://t.co/dNjPPnDztQ
— Swami Avdheshanand (@AvdheshanandG) April 17, 2021

Image courtesy: PIB and UNI

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.