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TRIMBAKESHWAR, INDIA, September 7, 2003: Thousands of sadhus today took part in the third and final Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) of Kumbha Mela 2003 at Kushavartha Teerth amidst unprecedented security while mahants and Naga sadhus of Juna Akhada declined to participate in protest against the boycott of their Akhada (monastic order) by other Akhadas. Mahants and sadhus belonging to Avahan, Agni, Anand, Niranjani, Mahanirwani and Atal Akhadas took the Royal Bath between 4 AM and 5:30 AM in the sacred pond after which it was kept reserved for Vaishnav sadhus until 8 AM. The mahants arrived for the Royal Bath carrying their symbols in a procession dotted with silver maces and beautiful carvings, and silver palanquins mounted on cars. The Naga sadhus smeared in ash and wearing flower garlands took the holy dip and offered prayers to Lord Siva in the ancient Trimbakeshwar Temple. However, the procession by sadhus was simple and without music and other instruments as a mark of respect to the victims of a stampede incident at Nasik on August 27. Meanwhile, following internal disputes, nine Akhadas boycotted the Juna Akhada on Friday night due to the misbehavior of their sadhus and not obeying rules and regulations of the Parishad. National president of Shri Shambhu Panch Dashnam Juna Akhada Paramanand Saraswati said that they have not boycotted the Royal Bath but sacrificed it to avoid further problems.

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