These pictures show how devotees in large number arrive at Kumbh Mela

Tens of thousands of devotees thronged Kumbh Mela in Haridwar to take a holy dip in Ganga on the occasion of second Shahi Snan. Naga Sadhus also took out processions and performed different rituals. But, it has become very difficult for devotees to maintain social distance due to massive crowds. Kumbh Mela Inspector General (IG) Sanjay Gunjyal admitted that it is difficult to ensure social distancing norms during the second 'Shahi snan' where massive crowds have gathered to take a holy dip in River Ganga at Har Ki Pauri in Uttarakhand's Haridwar. "We are continuously appealing to people to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. But due to the huge crowd, it is practically not possible to issue challans today. It is very difficult to ensure social distancing at ghats," Gunjyal said. "A stampede-like situation may arise if we would try to enforce social distancing at ghats so we are unable to enforce social distancing here," he said. The first Shahi Snan was held on March 11 on the occasion of Mahashivratri.