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Mahanirvanis take Shahi Snan at Ardh Kumbh

          Allahabad: The saints of the Mahanirvani 'Akhara' were the first to take Shahi Snan at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mystic Saraswati, at the ongoing Ardh Kumbh here early on Monday. Braving the cold, a procession of ascetics paraded amid tight security as they made their way to the ghats. They reached there at 6.15 a.m. and took dip for about 40 minutes. The major attraction of the procession was that some of Naga Sadhus with bugles, others danced and some showed off their skills with traditional weapons. "The holy men here are very different from what I see back at home. It's different from my values as there are no 'Nagas' like these in my country. I like seeing the holy men praying," said Leornado, an Italian tourist. "I have come to the Kumbh Mela for the first time. The place give a special feeling and that's why I love to come here," said Mitri Dutt from Calcutta. Following this, other thirteen 'Akhara' of saints, including Niranjani and Anand 'Akharas', also reached the ghat to take the 'Shahi Snan', which is considered a matter of pride and a chance to cleanse souls. The Naga ascetics of the Joona, Awahan and Agnirin also gathered here to take the spiritual bath.

         Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges during the festivals purifies them of sin, speeding the way to the attainment of nirvana or the afterlife As many as 32 ghats have been set up for pilgrims for bathing, which will take place till evening. The next bathing will take place on 'Mouni Amavasya' (January 19) - it is the main bathing day for holy men where they participate in naked processions. Another bathing sequence will take place on 'Vasant Panchami' (January 23). On this day people pray for a bumper harvest. 'Magh Purnima' (February 2) is the third day of the main bathing days. And finally, devotees will take a bath on 'Mahashivratri' (February 15-16). It is the day when devotees all over India worship Shiva. It is the fourth day of the main bathing day. Tight security arrangements have been put in place to prevent any untoward incident. Bomb and mine disposal squads along with sniffer dogs have been deployed in the mela area. Thousands of security personnel have also been deployed. The Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years ahead of the Maha Khumbh Mela, the biggest bathing festival of Hindus that comes after 12 years. Allahabad is one of four spots where Garuda, the winged steed of Hindu god Vishnu, is said to have rested during a titanic battle with demons over a pitcher of divine nectar of immortality. Garuda's flight lasted 12 divine days, or 12 years of mortal time, leading to the celebration of the Maha Kumbh Mela every 12 years. Legend says gods and demons fought a celestial war, spilling heavenly nectar at the confluence of three-rivers in Prayag. According to mythology, the midway point between two such celebrations is also considered highly auspicious as the position of the sun and the moon are the same as during the 'Maha Kumbh'. The Maha Kumbh Mela in 1989 had attracted 15 million pilgrims and the Guinness Book of Records dubbed it the largest gathering of human beings for a single purpose. It was bettered by the festival in 2001, which drew between 50 and 70 million people.
- Jan 15, 2007

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