Nepal’s Former King Gyanendra, Queen Komal Test Covid Positive, Returns From Kumbh Mela

Nepal’s former King Gyanendra Shah and former Queen, who returned from India after participating in the Maha Kumbh at Haridwar, have been tested positive for COVID-19 media reported on Tuesday.

According to The Himalayan Times report, their samples for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test were confirmed positive for the coronavirus infection. Also, the authorities are trying to trace contact to find out if anyone came in contact with the royal couple.

The former King, 73, and former Queen, 70, recently returned from India after they visited Haridwar’s Har Ki Pauri during the Maha Kumbh. According to the Health Ministry, the Mahakumbh is a religious congregation of Hindu seers and devotees.

In 2001, Gyanendra Shah was crowned as the king of Nepal after his elder brother Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and his family were killed in a massacre at the Royal Palace.

As per reports, an investigation claimed Dipendra, who was Birendra’s son for the massacre, however, he too died in mass murder.

After 7 years of reign, Shah stepped down when a popular revolt forced him to give up his throne. Following his abdication, which brought an end to the centuries-old monarchy, Nepal turned into a republic by the Constituent Assembly.

The Maha Kumbh occurs in a cycle between periods of 12 years. This year, however, it is being celebrated a year earlier due to the astronomical orientations believed to decide the occurrence of this festival.

However, a vast number of COVID cases were registered after the commencement of the Kumbh Mela. Last week, at least 102 pilgrims and 20 seers have tested positive for COVID-19.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the sadhus to observe the remaining duration of the Kumbh only in a symbolic manner.