The Kumbh Mela at Haridwar will continue and there is no information of it being curtailed, an official said on Wednesday. A large number of devotees gathered at Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri on Wednesday for Ganga Arti amid the COVID-19 scare. Deepak Rawat, District Magistrate, Haridwar, and Kumbh Mela officer said the event used to begin in January but due to the COVID-19 situation, the state government decided to start it in April this time.

"The Centre's SOP said because of the situation, the duration would be reduced. I have no information of it being curtailed," he said. Lakhs of devotees have been gathering for the event on the banks of the river Ganga for a holy dip amid concerns over the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country. The Kumbh Mela is being held from April 1 to 30 this year. The state government said that till 6 pm, a staggering 13,51,631 devotees had taken a dip on what is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Kumbh.