The ritual dip or Shahi Snan started on Monday morning at the Ardh Kumbh festival at Allahabad. The Mahanirvani Akhara took the first dip on the Holy occasion of Makar Sankranti. The Ritual dip started amidst tight security at the holy place at Allahabad.

A large procession of religious holy men of the Mahanirvani Akhara reached the holy sangam of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati. They started taking dip at 6.15 AM. The process took about 40 minutes to complete the ritual dip at Sangam.

After that, the procession of the naga sadhus came to take the dip at Sangam. The Naga Sadhus are the ash-smeared warrior ascetics. They generally get more public as well as media attention because of their tradition for carrying traditional weapons. They usually play devotional tunes on musical instruments during their march.

The Niranjani and Anand Akharas came after the Naga Sadhus reached the ghats to take dip in the Monday morning.

The Naga ascetics of the Joona, Awahan and Agnirin, were allotted 40 minutes for taking their ritual dip at Sangam.

Earlier. the Awahan ascetics had decided to boycott the Shahi Snan. They had some difference with the Joona Ascetics. But today they joined the Shahi bath today morning.

The local administration has tightened the security in the procession routes as well as at the bathing sites at the Sangam.

The access path for taking dip for ascetics from the side of the Ganga was reserved. According to a report, almost eight lakhs ascetics are camping at the mela site at Allahabad to take part to Ardha Kumbha festival.

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