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Maha Kumbh all set for first 'shahi snan'

Sharat Pradhan in Kumbh Nagar, Allahabad

The first Maha Kumbh Mela of the third millennium CE is gearing up for the first shahi snan (royal bath) on Sunday morning, when sadhus from 13 'akharas' will march in a colourful procession for a dip at the Triveni Sangam, confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati.

A dip in the confluence is believed to pave a sure path to salvation.

Much activity was visible at each of the 'akharas', where preparations were being made for the long 'royal' march from the respective camps on the northern bank of the Ganga to the 'Sangam' on the other side, where local authorities will accord them a colourful reception.

The Kumbh Mela administration was carefully carrying out its preparations for a grand reception to the 'akharas', whose prominent sadhus had recently kicked up a row after the authorities failed to welcome the ceremonial introductory 'Peshwai yatra' earlier in the week.

Of the six key auspicious days during the 42-day-long fair that opened on January 9, three have been earmarked for the shahi snan -- January 14, 24 and 29. On these three days, the Sangam is reserved for the 'akharas' and other Hindu religious congregations.

"The shahi snan will commence at 5.15 in the morning and conclude around the same time in the evening," Mela Officer Jeevesh Nandan told rediff.com

Common pilgrims who were constantly pouring in from different directions for the auspicious dip on Sunday will get access to the Sangam after 1730 IST.

With Sunday being Makar Sankranti, when the Sun enters the Capricorn constellation, a much larger turnout than on the opening day is expected.

"We are expecting about 80 lakh people for the dip tomorrow," Nandan said. Unofficial estimates, however, put the figure at about 5 million [50 lakh], because even on the first day the turnout had been far below the expected 5 million.

With the dispute among some 'akharas' over who would have the first dip having been resolved, the administration heaved a sigh of relief. "They have agreed to abide by the traditional order to be followed for the shahi snan," Allahabad Divisional Commissioner Sadakant said. Until Friday, one 'akhara' was objecting to the precedence given to another for the dip.

"Now, the shahi snan will be led by the Mahanirvan akhara followed by the Niranjani, Juna and others in batches," Sadakant told a press conference.

Meanwhile, the crowds in the 6,000-acre Mela area began to swell from Saturday afternoon. With bundles of their belongings on their heads, and a child on a shoulder or an infant in arms, men and women, old and young, could be seen trudging along the sandy banks of the Ganga looking for their respective shelters for the night in the kaleidoscopic tent township.

"All traffic movement has been stopped from 8pm tonight and people coming from outside will have to walk down from parking lots created in the city," Nandan said. "As the night advances, the crowds will grow, so it would be unsafe to allow the movement of vehicles."

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