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UJJAIN, INDIA, April 22, 2004: Over a million people Thursday took a holy dip in the river Shipra on the occasion of the second Shahi Snan (royal bath) in the ongoing Kumbh Mela in this temple town of western Madhya Pradesh. Thousands of Hindu ascetics, led by those of the Juna Akhara, marched to the banks of the river wielding tridents, swords and spikes through the narrow streets here in a massive show of prowess. Amid chanting of hymns, beating of drums and cymbals, hermits with their bodies smeared with ash arrived on the 100-metre-long Dutt Akhara Ghat (river bank) at dot 6 a.m., the auspicious time fixed by the administrative body of the saints. They were followed by those belonging to Niranjani, Anand, Mahanirvani and Atal Akharas. Ascetics of the Nirmohi Akhara took a dip on the opposite ghat. Among others who had a holy dip were Naga hermits. Members of about 13 streams of ascetics belonging to the Vaishnav and Shavitie sects arrived on horses, elephants, tempos and modified jeeps, as some 15,000 police and security personnel stood guard. The general public began bathing only after the ascetics were through at 10 a.m. under the watchful eyes of over 600 lifeguards stationed on the river bank.



The Kumbh fair, said to be one of the largest human congregation in the world, had started on April 5 with the first shahi snan and will continue till May 4. During the month-long fair, at least 30 million people are expected to visit this town.

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