Simhastha Kumbh Mela: Nirmohi Akhara boycotts shahi snan as Juna Akhara takes holy dip first

Ujjain: Lakhs are thronging Ujjain to attend the auspicious Simhastha 2016 – a month long congregation of Hindus. Several seers and 13 Akharas have queued up to take holy dip in the sacred water of river Kshipra.

However, what annoyed the Nirmohi Akhara is that the Juna Akhara took the royal bath before them.

As per a report in Pradesh18, Nirmohi Akhara has boycotted shahi snan after it found that the administration allowed Juna Akhara to take dip first.

Nirmohi Akhara has now accused the administration of biased treatment.

A large number of people from different corners of the country have converged in the holy city for the Simhastha Mela, held every 12 years at Ujjain, which is also the abode of Lord Mahakaleshwar, one of the 12 Jyotirlings in the country.

Ujjain is fully geared up to host the month-long Kumbh Mela, during which over 5 crore people including seers are expected to visit the holy city, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying it will be a “Green Simhastha”.

“Over 5 crore pilgrims are expected to visit Ujjain and other holy places during the fair, for which huge security and logistical arrangements have been made, including shifting of police forces from various districts to Ujjain, one of the 12 jyotirlingas and the abode of Lord Mahakaleshwar,” Mr. Chouhan said on Thursday evening on the eve of the Mela.

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh also took bath at Gaughat on the opening day of the Simhastha.Simhastha.

(With PTI inputs)