Dev dolis performs a symbolic bath at Har ki Paudi following COVID protocol.
Dev dolis performs a symbolic bath at Har ki Paudi following COVID protocol.
· People accompanying the Dolis were tested for COVID-19
Joining the ongoing Kumbh here, the Dev dolis from different villages of Uttarakhand reached Haridwar to have a ceremonial, symbolic bath in Har Ki Paudi on April 24. Due to global pandemic caused by COVID-19 virus, only three dolis had the symbolic bath today, including Maa Bhadrakali, Maa Surkanda and Ghandiyal devta.
Bhadrakali is one of the fierce forms of the Great Goddess Shakti or Adi Parashakti mentioned in the Devi Mahatmyam. Surkanda Devi is the manifestation of goddess Sati. Her temple is near Kanatal in Uttarakhand. It is surrounded by dense forests and affords a scenic view of the Himalayas to the north, and Dehradun and Rishikesh to the south. Ghandiyal Devta is a very renowned God and is worshipped very religiously in Tehri & other regions of Uttarakhand. It is believed that Ghandiyal is the incarnation of Lord Abhimanyu and was a devotee of Lord Shiva.
A program was also organized at the CCR Police Camp, in which only 30 to 35 people were present. All the doli carriers and participants were tested for COVID.
On this occasion, Shri Satpal Maharaj, Cabinet Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Irrigation, Govt of Uttarakhand said, "I am happy that we have been able to continue this centuries-old ritual even amid a pandemic while adhering to all the safety measures. I congratulate the people and the organizers of this event for following all the safety measures during the event. In our society, it is a tradition to bring out the procession of deities and worship them as per religious rituals. Their dolis go from village to village. People take the blessings. Today due to COVID-19, this tradition was fulfilled keeping in mind the rules of safety, for which I appreciate everyone's efforts."
Satpal Maharaj Ji also added that our Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji appealed to celebrate the Kumbh in a symbolic manner that was carried out. He also said to maintain social distancing, wear masks properly and minimum gathering at Khumbh and these protocols were implemented.
He further added, “Under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Tirath Singh Rawat the event was a success. All the people present with the Dev dolis were tested for COVID and only those who came negative were allowed to go with the docks at Har ki Paudi. By keeping the norms of safety for COVID-19 we were able to continue the tradition and customs of our religion by bringing these dolis. For the same I am thankful to all the residents of the state along with other people who actually wanted to be a part of these dolis physically but participated digitally as to maintain the COVID protocols. The Kumbh, which is the world's largest religious gathering having more than 5000 years old history was made a symbolic event because of global pandemic COVID -19.”
