Simhastha: Lakhs take holy dip in second Shahi Snan

09 May, Ujjain

Lakhs of devotees, including mahants and sadhus of various akhadas along with other pilgrims, took the holy dip in the Kshipra river here today on the occasion of second ‘Shahi Snan (royal bath)’ as a part of the ongoing ‘Simhastha Mahakumbh’.

The second ‘Shahi Snan’ is of great significane because it coincides with Akshya Tritiya today. According to official sources, nearly 45 lakh devotees have taken the holy dip so far. Sadhus from Shree Panchdanshnam Juna Akhada were the first to take the royal bath at Dutt Akhada Ghat at 0400 hrs.

They were followed by Taponidhi, Niranjini and Panchayati akhadas who took bath at 0600 hrs instead of 0500 hrs as scheduled earlier. Later, Naga sadhus from other akhadas took the holy dip. Similarly, sadhus of Vaishnavite akhadas took royal bath at Ramghat.

So far, sadhus of 10 ‘akhadas’ have taken the holy dip. Sadhus of Shree Panchayati Bada Udasin, Shree Panchayati Naya Udasin and Nirmal akhadas are still to take the royal bath. Other faithful are taking holy dip at Mangalnath, Triveni, Shani Mandir, Narsingh and other ghats. Elaborate security arrangements have been made at various ghats in view of the Shahi Snan.