At 5 am, when complete darkness and fog engulfed the entire township, the members of the Mahanirvani Akhara plunged into the freezing waters at Sangam and officially announced the commencement of the Maha Kumbh Mela that will continue for the next 55 days.
The first bathing day of the Maha Kumbh Mela on “Makar Sankranti” marks the entry of sun in Capricorn and with this an auspicious period of the year begins.
According to official estimates more than 1.3 crore pilgrims took the holy dip in the Kumbh Mela on Monday.
The first akhara that took the holy dip amidst chanting of mantras — also known as “Shahi Snan” — was Mahanir-vani Akhara, followed by the Atal Akhara, Niran-jani Akhara, Juna Akh-ara, Nirmohi Akhara, Digambar Akhara, Nirvani Akhara, Naya Panchayati Akhara, Bada Udaseen Akhara and Nirmal Akhara.
The Akharas — organisations or sects of sadhus who have completely renounced the world — are allowed to take the holy dip in order of their stature in the ascetic world and each akhara is given 40 minutes time for the holy dip after which the next in line comes in.
The akharas travelled in magnificent processions, one after another, to the Sangam point and Naga Sadhus who remain naked with only the holy ash smeared on their bodies, also accompanied the various akharas.
The Dandi Sanyasis boycotted the first bathing day to protest against improper arrangements, including lack of water and power supply in their enclosures. Efforts to pacify the saints by the local officials fell on deaf ears.
After the “Shahi Snan” was over, pilgrims and devotees from all parts of the world took the holy dip at Sangam.