The much-awaited first 'Shahi Snan' (royal bath) of the Kumbh Mela began with the Naga Sadhus taking a holy dip at Har Ki Paudi in Haridwar on Friday.<br/>Juna Akhada took a holy dip in River Ganges at 1100 hrs as per the decision taken by saints. Before the holy dip, the saints reached Har Ki Paudi in a majestic procession. The 'Shahi Snan' would continue till 1700 hrs on Friday.<br/><br/>For the first time in the history of Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, all major Akhadas of Sanyasis are taking bath together leaving all rivalry behind.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the holy town has been turned into a fortress by the police to avoid any untoward incident. The security forces with the help of sniffer dogs and state-of-the-art devices had launched a massive checking drive on Thursday in all the hotels and dharamshalas of the town. More than 5000 security personnel have been deployed in the Har Ki Paudi area.