India: Tens of thousands celebrate the Hindu festival on the Ganges despite Corona

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These are images that cause a certain discomfort among outsiders: tens of thousands of Hindus have gathered on the Ganges to celebrate the festival of Kumbh Mela (festival of the jug).

In addition, the pilgrims in the north Indian city of Haridwar climb into the so-called River of Hope.

According to their beliefs, they will be delivered from their sins and from the cycle of birth and death.

Many of the participants apparently kept no distance from one another on Monday.

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The coronavirus is currently spreading rapidly in India.

In terms of the number of infections, India even overtook Brazil on Monday - and is now in second place worldwide.

Daily record: 168,000 new infections

Authorities reported a new daily record of more than 168,000 new infections.

A total of 13.5 million residents of India were infected with the corona virus, in Brazil it was 13.48 million so far.

The USA holds the sad top spot with more than 31 million registered infections.

Critics accuse Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party of allowing the festival amid the spread of the virus.

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The government was not ready to anger Hindus, who are among the party's biggest supporters.

The government has also been criticized for holding large election rallies with unmasked attendees.

It is the hope for an end to the eternal cycle of life and death

Source: REUTERS

Some of the pilgrims had their bodies painted beforehand

Source: REUTERS

The Haridwar authorities have announced that the festival has been shortened.

Coronavirus tests are also required for access to the pilgrimage area.

"We continuously call on people to behave appropriately for Covid-19," said Sanjay Gunjyal from the police.

"But because of the huge amount it is practically impossible." The "Festival of the Jug" is the largest festival of Hinduism in the world.

In India, experts have recently pointed out that the numbers are literally exploding, especially due to the maskless and tightly packed crowds at political rallies or religious festivals.