The second 'shahi snan' of the ongoing Kumbh Mela began in Nashik and Tryambakeshwar today with thousands of devotees, including 'mahants' of various akhadas and sects, thronging the ghats of River Godavari to take the holy dip.They were welcomed by the Maharashtra Water Resource Minister Girish Mahajan, who is also in-charge of Nashik.<br/><br/>Thousands of sadhus and mahants, including Naga sadhus of the 10 akhadas of Shaiva sect, took the royal bath at Kushvarta Teerth in Trimbakeshwar town. Procession led by mahant Narendragiri Maharaj started at around 2: 30 in the morning. Shahi Snan started at around 4:30 AM. Later Narendragiri Maharaj expressed satisfaction about arrengements made by Government<br/><br/>Heavy rains yesterday evening created some problems, now weather is clear and there is sizable increase in number of devoties compaired to first Shahi Snan. They started taking Holy Bath at Different Ghats in the city from midnight. Police have made tight security arrangements by deploying extra forces in the two towns and all basic amenities for the devotees have been ensured.

Second Shahi Snan of the ongoing Kumbh Mela began in Nashik and Tryambakeshwar today with thousands of devotees, including 'mahants' of various akhadas and sects, thronging the ghats of River Godavari to take the holy dip.They were welcomed by the Maharashtra Water Resource Minister Girish Mahajan, who is also in-charge of Nashik. <br/><br/>The royal processions of the three akhadas of the Vaishnava sect, comprising mahants and mahamandleshwars which began from the Laxminarayan Temple in Tapovan at arround 5:55 in the morning reached the Ram Kund wielding flags, swords, trishul, amid beating of drums. Today mahantas of Nirmohi Akhada took first royal bath. Chairman of Akhada Parishad and chief of Nirvani Akhada who led the procession for first Shahi Snan mahant Gyandas Maharaj explained importance of today's Parva.<br/><br/>Thousands of sadhus and mahants, including Naga sadhus of the 10 akhadas of Shaiva sect, took the royal bath at Kushavarta Teerth in Trimbakeshwar town. Procession led by mahant Narendragiri Maharaj started at around 2:30 in the morning. Shahi Snan started at around 4:30 AM. Later Narendragiri Maharaj expressed satisfaction about arrangements made by government.<br/><br/>Our correspondent reports that though heavy rains yesterday evening created some problems, now weather is clear and there is sizable increase in number of devotees compared to first Shahi Snan. They started taking Holy Bath at Different Ghats in the city from midnight. Police have made tight security arrangements by deploying extra forces in the two towns and all basic amenities for the devotees have been ensured.