The first shahi snan of the Kumbh Mela took place yesterday at Nashik on the auspicious day of Shravan poornima. Sadhus and mahants from various akhadas thronged to various ghats of the Godavari river in Nashik and Trambakeshwar to take the holy dip. Akhadas of Shiva sect got the honor to take first holy dip at Tranbakeshwar's Kushawart Kund followed by Shahi snan of Thousands of sadhus and Mahantas of Vaishnava Sampradaya at Nasik's Ramkund.<br/><br/>Lakhs of devotees from various corners of the country also took part in the holy dip which went till late night yesterday. Earlier three akhadas of the Vaishnava sect took out a royal procession from Laxminarayan Temple in Tapovan to the Ram Kund. They were welcomed by the Maharashtra Water Resource Minister Girish Mahajan, who is also guardian minister of Nashik district. Minister of State for Cooperation Dada Bhuse and various other top officials of the district administration were also present at the occasion. <br/><br/>The administration said the numbers of visitors were less than the expected. However, they anticipated the number would be higher in the next bath to be held on 13th September. The Nashik Muninipal Corporation and several social organisations had provided swimming experts in various places to assist the people taking the dip. A life protection squad was deployed in the river water to prevent any drowning incident.