2019 Kumbh Mela begins with the Shahi Snan at Prayagraj, Know all about the holy ritual at Triveni Sangam

The 2019 Kumbh Mela began on Tuesday morning at Prayagraj with the holy Shahi Snan by the Sadhus belonging to the Shahi Clan. The Shahi Snan began at 4 am on Tuesday morning. As a part of the Shahi Snan, sadhus belonging to 13 akhadas take a dip in the Sangam, confluence of three rivers, along the banks of which the Kumbh Mela takes place.

Kumbh Mela Shahi Snan (Source:PTI)

Allahabad: The 2019 Kumbh Mela began on Tuesday morning at Prayagraj with the holy Shahi Snan by the Sadhus belonging to the Shahi Clan. The Shahi Snan began at 4 am on Tuesday morning. As a part of the Shahi Snan, sadhus belonging to 13 akhadas take a dip in the Sangam, confluence of three rivers, along the banks of which the Kumbh Mela takes place. There is an order in which the Sadhus of the Shahi clan perform the holy ritual by taking a dip in the river — Ganges in case of the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela. According to the norms, no one is allowed to enter the holy river before the akhadas finish their Shahi Snans.

Prayagraj: Hindu seers and saints head towards Sangam Ghat for a holy dip in river Ganga on the occasion of first ‘Shahi Snan’ at #KumbhMela2019 pic.twitter.com/z7ocKyVpVf

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The ritual of Shahi Snan dates back to centuries. It is believed that the tradition of a Shahi Snan, a holy dip in the river, next to which Kumbh Mela has been organised, began during the 14th-16th century. The ritual is called Shahi Snan, meaning a royal dip, primarily because of the ceremonial importance attached to it. During the Shahi Snan, the sadhus reach the river bank in decorated palkhis. It is believed that taking a dip in the river before the mahurat helps one attain immortality. After the rituals of Shahi Snans involving the sadhus are over, common visitors are allowed to take a dip in the river.