Thousands of Naga Sadhus take holy dip on first Shahi Snan in Haridwar

HARIDWAR: The much awaited First Shahi Snan of Maha Kumbh commenced peacefully as several thousand Naga Sadhus smeared in ashes, belonging to different Akharas took the Holy dip in Ganga on the auspicious day of “Maha Shivratri” today amidst beating of drums. Naga Sadhus riding the horses were the main attraction of the procession which began from various Akharas passing through the main Bazaar towards the Brahm Kund.
The devotees sought blessings and showered flower petals on Naga Sadhus as the excited Sadhus chanted Bam Bam Bhole and “Har Har Mahadev” all the way. The Naga Sadhus also brandished their glittering swords, flashed their silver maces and displayed various skills adorned by warriers. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on Mahashivratri.
The Shahi Snan or the Royal bath begins with this day. Shahi Snan - also referred to as the royal entourage of the gods - appeared nothing less than a massive festival when a sea of mendicants (Akhadas) arrived along the banks of the holy river with their musical bands. They showered the Ganga with rose petals and marigolds and sang hymns and bhajans as they were about to enter the water.
Shanti, a devotee from Delhi was ecstatic after witnessing such procession and said that it was like Gods had converged at one place to bless the mortal souls. As the Naga Sadhus reached Brahm Kund, one could see the joy and excitement on their faces.The ghats became vibrant and resounded with ecstatic shouts of ‘Har Hare Gange’, ‘Har Har Mahadev’, as Naga Sadhus stepped into the water.
The Naga Sadhus plunged into Ganga like a long lost children returning in the arms of mother. It also denoted the symbolic dedication of the Sadhus towards the much revered river. Juna Akhara was the first to participate in the Shahi Snan and to undertake the royal bath, followed by Agni Akhara and Aahvan Akharas respectively which started around 11.00 am. Traditionally too, Juna Akhara is the first to enter Ganga on Shahi Snan, informed the officials from Ganga Sabha. Of the 13 Akharas, according to Mela officials, seven participated in today’s Shahi Snan. Large number of devotees from countires like Netherlands, England and Holland etc also were part of the procession and danced all along the way to the ghats. Nimrod from Israel speaking to GP said that the whole experience was humbling and to see the sea of Humanity congregating for one cause was mind boggling.