Second Shahi Snan begins in Trimbakeshwar

Amidst tight security and boycott by two factions, more than 30,000 sadhus took the second 'Shahi Snan' on the auspicious occasion of Shravan Amavasya.

Amidst tight security and boycott by two factions, more than 30,000 sadhus took the second 'Shahi Snan' (royal bath) on the auspicious occasion of Shravan Amavasya here on Wednesday.

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The sadhus and mahants, belonging to eight Akhadas took the royal bath in Kushavarta Teerth with police beefing up security arrangements in the 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 took the holy dip after sadhus and mahants finished their bath.

Pilgrims and sadhus in Nashik also took the royal bath.