Covid restrictions in Uttarakhand have led to the cancellation of annual mela at Nainital’s Kaichi Dham for the second consecutive year. However, hundreds of pilgrims flocked to the shrine and prayed to Neem Karoli Baba from the road across the temple.Speaking to TOI, Vinod Joshi, one of the administrators of the Kainchi Dham, said that this is only the second time in over five decades that the annual mela has been cancelled. “In the last 57 years, this is only the second time that the mela has been cancelled. We took the decision after consulting all the stakeholders since it is necessary to stop all mass gathering and prevent the spread of Covid. However all the rituals have been conducted as per our traditions and we hope that pilgrims will be able to attend the mela from next year,” Joshi said.