Kumbh Mela: Thousands take holy dip on second 'Shahi Snan'

Thousands of devotees, including ash-smeared Naga sadhus, on Sunday took a holy dip in the Godavari River during the second 'Shahi Snan' ritual of the Kumbh Mela here.

"I took a bath. Holy bath cannot be performed by saints and detached person. Once our idols take a dip, we worship them, pay our offerings and establish them. Only then we saints take bath," said a saint, Gayadan Maharaj.

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) and other social organisations made several security arrangements to avoid any untoward incidents.

"The arrangement here is very good. It is nothing like in Allahabad where stampede happen during holy bath. Here there is ample arrangement of police and the holy bath went peacefully. We would like to come here time and again," said a devotee.

Later in the day, thousands of devotees were allowed to take the holy dip. The devotees took their first dip on August 29.The final bath is scheduled on September 18.

The Kumbh Mela in Nashik comes after a period of 12 years as pilgrims, saints take part in rituals.