Simhasth Mela begins with first shahi snan in Kshipra

22 April, Ujjain

The Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv Mela, a month-long affair that commenced in this ancient temple town at Brahma Muhurta Friday ‘Hanuman Jayanti’ witnessed lakhs taking holy dips in the Kshipra River whose ghats were dotted by religious banners and tridents even as slogans rent the air.

The Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhada began a shahi snan at 0511 hrs at Dutt Akhada Ghat. As per tradition, the Akhada’s Peethadheesh Swami Avdheshanand Maharaj took dips while chanting mantras in the presence of Mr Bhoopendra Singh who is the Minister in charge of Simhasth and senior officials.Sadhus of the Shri Panchayati Aavahan, Shri Panchayati Agni, Shri Taponidhi Niranjani, Shri Panchayati Anand, Shri Panchayati Mahanirwani, Shri Panch Atal, Shri Nirmohi Ani, Shri Digambar Nirwani, Shri Nirwani Ani, Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin, Shri Panchayati Naveen Udasin and Shri Nirmal akhadas took part in the snan.The dips by the akhadas’ Naga monks were a special attraction.

The mahants, shrimahants, mahamandaleshwars and peethadheeshs involved themselves in the ritual. Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad President Narendra Giri Maharaj and General Secretary Hari Giri Maharaj also participated in the snan. Almost all akhadas’ mahamandaleshwars arrived on tractor trolleys. Congress General Secretary and Madhya Pradesh’s former chief minister Digvijaya Singh took dips at about 0830 hrs.

Amid heavy security provided by police and Central Armed Police Forces’ personnel, the common man also participated in the snan along an approximately ten-km stretch of the river that was constantly patrolled by a Home Guard motorboat even as fire-fighting vehicles, ambulances and divers were in readiness.

The second shahi snan is scheduled on May 9 Akshaya Tritiya and the final one on May 21. A whopping five crore devotees are expected to attend the Mela for which about Rs 3,500 cr were expended by the state regime.