Amidst the shadow of terror which arose by the capture of the four IS operatives from Roorkee area, priests of Haridwar have taken an initiative to attract the tourists on Ardh Kumbh Mela.
With the help of social media, they are trying to remove the hidden fears of the tourists. The low turnout on the first snan of Makar Sankranti in January had dampened the spirits of the priest community and local traders which is being revived through the social media.
The pictures of the beautiful splendour of Har Ki Pauri at night are doing rounds on the social media. “The starry pictures of Har Ki Pauri are gaining wide popularity these days. Many people ask me about the terror threats in the holy city to which I respond with my pictures showing pilgrims taking holy dip and the illuminated Har Ki Pauri attracting all. A single picture upload of Har Ki Pauri got hundreds of likes when I made it public,” says Saurabh Sikhola of Haridwar.
In the hullaboo created after spotting of an unidentified bag by a young tea vendor opposite to the railway station on 21 January, the railways had witnessed drop in number of visitors. The arrest of the four students living in Manglore and landhaura area of Roorkee had also made waves in the city resulting in less tourists coming to the holy city.
Ujjwal Pandit of Yuva Teerth Purohit Mahasabha said, “I have cautioned the members of my Mahasabha not to spread any news of such terroristic activity and upheavals which occur in the city that may arouse fears in the minds of the people. Also it is appealed to the denizens of the city to invite their relatives and friends to the Ardh Kumbh mela snans.”
Prateek Mishrapuri is spreading the message to hundreds of his foreign followers who keep coming to him for gaining knowledge on astrology. “I am using twitter and facebook for passing on the astrological significance of Ardh kumbh mela snans. With the weather becoming pleasant, the pilgrim wush would slowly pick up,” said Mishrapuri.
The police personnel are also releasing the messages of “Surakshit kumbh” through various modes. Some police teams have been sent to different parts of the country. A media advisory is being used at state level to broad cast the safe Kumbh message as well.