Kaichi Dham mela cancelled for second consecutive year

NAINITAL: 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.
The pilgrims meanwhile said that they understand the Covid situation in the country and therefore due to restrictions they prayed to the Neem Karoli Baba from across the road.
“We were hoping that as Covid cases go down the temple would open. However the administration decided that no pilgrim will be allowed therefore we followed all the precautions and didn't even try to gain entry into the temple. However, I wanted to personally visit the area and just pay my respects which I did,” said Nithesh Bisht.
The Kaichi Dham is one of the most revered shrines in Kumaon region which has been visited by many famous people including Prime Minister Modi and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Soon after the official rituals at the shrine, camps were organised at several locations across Nainital and the Prasad was distributed.