Trimbakeshwar, Aug 27: Amidst tight security, over 30,000 Sadhus took holy dip in a sacred pond here on the auspicious occasion of Shravan Amavasya as the second 'Shahi Snan' (royal bath) began today.
The Sadhus and Mahants, belonging to eight Akhadas took the royal bath in Kushavarta Teerth as police beefed-up security arrangements in wake of Monday's twin bomb blasts in Mumbai.
However, Sadhus from two Akhadas -- Avahan and Agni -- did not turn up at the Teerth for the Shahi Snan at the given time in protest against misbehaviour by Sadhus of Juna Akhada.
They alleged that Juna Akhada insulted their "Palkhi" and diety. Besides, Shri Shambhu Panchdashnam of Juna Akhada, its Mahant and national president allegedly misbehaved with Mahamandaleshwar of Avahan Akhada, Shivshankar Maharaj.
Niranjani and Anand Akhadas were the first to perform the royal bath, followed by Panchdashnam Juna, Panchayati Mahanirvani, Atal, Bada Udasin, Nava Udasin and Nirmal Akhadas.



The common pilgrims will take the holy dip after Sadhus and Mahants finish their bath.



Akhadas, following different routes, reached Kushavarta in grand processions complete with silver palanquins mounted on cars and trailors and caparisoned horses. Some Sadhus carried carved silver maces and spears with silver rods. Others held golden idols of their deities and flags.



District Collector Mahesh Zagde, DSP Ravindra Kumar Singhal and Special IG K S Shinde are monitoring the security situation in view of the heavy rush of pilgrims.



In Nasik, the royal bath began on time and till 9.00 am, two Akhadas of Vaishnav sect -- Nirmohi and Digamber -- had started their bath.


Bureau Report