Despite coronavirus-related challenges, the Kumbh Mela is being held as pilgrims look to gather for one of the world’s biggest religious gatherings.
But it is being expected that the gathering is likely to see lesser attendance of pilgrims due to the threat of the coronavirus.
Lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country come to take a holy dip.
This year, devotees are required to register online and receive e-passes while guidelines are still in place, including mandatory face masks and a required six-feet social distancing rule in public spaces.
Kumbh Mela will begin from January 14 and will continue till April. It is being held in Haridwar this year.
The Kumbh Mela is held at the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati (Sangam) in Prayagraj and on the banks of the river Godavari, Shipra and Ganga in Nashik, Ujjain and Haridwar respectively, periodically once in twelve years.