Thousands of devotees take ritual holy dip on the
first Shahi Sisnan in the river
12 February 2010 IANS
Braving the dark of the pre-dawn hours, the chill in
the air and the ice cold water of the
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva married
Goddess Parvati on Mahashivratri. It is one of the focal days of the Maha Kumbh
Mela, the once-in-12-years festival that promises to become the world’s largest
religious gathering this time.
The much-awaited and one of the most popular events
during the Maha Kumbh—the first Shahi Snan (Royal Bath of sadhus)—will take
place after 11 am amidst heavy security.
During the Shahi Snan, sadhus of various sects march
along the banks of the
With the Mela authorities not allowing lay devotees to
bathe after 8 am, the pilgrims started on their holy dips soon after midnight.
“Devotees in large numbers preferred to take the holy
dip just after midnight simply because they knew we have imposed restrictions
on their bathing for the mega event of Shahi Snan,” Anand Vardhan, officer in
charge of the Mela, told IANS.
“In view of the Shahi Snan, the regular devotees will
be allowed to bathe along the ghats only till 8 am Then the ghats would be
cleaned and would be made ready for the Shahi Snan that will start at around 11
am and will witness participation of only sadhus, including the ash—smeared,
bare—bodied Naga sadhus. It will continue till 4.30-5 pm After 5 pm, the other
devotees will be allowed to bathe in the holy river again,” he added.
Men, women and children, able and infirm, all went to
the river in serpentine queues through the night to pray and bathe.
“I came here at around 11 pm Thursday and straightway
came to Har-Ki-Pauri Ghat...And as the day changed, I took the holy dip,”
polio-hit Mithlesh Kumar told IANS.
“Initially, taking into account my physical
disabilities, my parents and even other relatives advised me not to go to the
Maha Kumbh due to the heavy rush. But, when I told them I don’t want to miss
the religious event that will come again only after 12 years, they were
convinced and granted me permission,” Kumar, 32, a resident of Kankerbagh
colony in
Another devotee Prabal Sarkar, a resident of
While the youth jumped into the river for the holy dip,
women and the elderly sat on the stairs along the banks, where they poured
water over themselves with the traditional copper vessels called lotas.
To hold the Shahi Snan successfully, a massive security
cover has been thrown up, spread across 130 sq km spanning Haridwar, Dehradun,
Pauri and Tehri Garhwal districts.
According to Mela authorities, nearly 9,000 security
personnel are guarding the Mela area and other sensitive points in Haridwar.
“Security forces would take positions at all strategic
points and keep vigil on suspicious elements. It’s one of the world’s most
important religious gatherings. We are not going to take any chance,” Deputy
Inspector General (Kumbh Mela) Alok Sharma told IANS.
The Maha Kumbh Mela that began Jan 14 will end April 28
after the Baisakhi Shahi Snan April 14.
According to Hindu mythology, Haridwar is one of the
four places where a drop of the nectar of immortality or amrit fell from the pitcher or kumbh
when Garuda, the divine bird of Lord Vishnu, was spiriting it away from the
demons after a pitched battle.
Since then, Haridwar, along with
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