First Holy bath in Haridwar Mahakumbha
Haridwar (Uttarakhand) – In the ongoing Mahakumbha Mela, on the day of Mahashivaratri, the first Shahi snan (Holy bath) took place in a bhav-enriched atmosphere. On this occasion, Acharyas of various Akhadas, Mahamandleshwars along with Sages-Saints and lakhs of devotees bathed in the Ganga at Har-Ki-Paudi.
Over 22 lakh devotees benefited from Ganga snana from midnight to evening of 11th March, said Sanjay Gunjyal, Director General of Police for the Mahakumbha. State Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat visited Har-Ki-Pauri and paid obeisance to Goddess Ganga and prayed for the prosperity for all. He also welcomed the Saints and devotees who had come for the Shahi snan.
Various Saints came to Har-Ki-Pauri Ghat in a grand procession from 11 a.m. on 11th March for the Shahi snan. Earlier, the Ghat was kept open for bathing of devotees till 7 a.m. Only after this, the Saints of the Akhadas were allowed to enter the bathing area.