Echoes of 'Shree Ramchandra ji ki jai' filled the air of Ramkund and Godavari river banks as the mahants and sadhus of various akhadas rushed into the waters of Godavari to take the holy dip on the occasion of the first shahi snan — holy dip of this Simhastha Kumbhmela — in Nashik. While the enthusiasm of the sadhu mahants and pilgrims was abundant, the strict police bandobast and barricading of the city played a dampener.
Although the administration and the police expected about 20-25 lakh devotees on Saturday, the first shahi snan saw only about 7 lakh people taking a dip at the various ghats.
The Shahi miravanuk — the royal procession of the mahants and sadhus of the akhadas and their khalsas — began from Tapovan in Sadhugram at 6am. Mahants sat atop vehicles, which were converted into decorated chariots, and led their respective akhadas and khalsas. The procession went off well and it saw a lot of energy, enthusiasm and cheer among the sadhus.
As people were taken to the pre-decided ghats, the crowds in the core area of Ramkund and the adjoining ghats were less in the morning. But after the holy bath of the akhadas was over, flow of pilgrim's into the city increased and the core area was flooded with people by afternoon. However, people had to walk long distances to reach Ramkund. At many points which were barricaded, scenes of people and police exchanging angry words were noted. Some points were mismanaged and this causing confusion and inconvenience to people.
Bus service was provided from the outer to inner parking from where the pilgrims had to walk. However, the services remained grossly under utilised. “Only 1,600 buses out of the 3000 were used. These carried about 70,000 pilgrims to the inner parking”, stated Milind Bhand, in charge, city bus service from outer to inner parking.
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) had put in a lot of efforts in arranging for hygeine and sanitation of the place and for the pilgrims. The area was kept absolutely clean with road sweeping teams working tirelessly. However, short supply of water to the toilet tanks created inconvenience to the people. Drinking water facility on the other hand was good.
Guardian minister Girish Mahajan was personally present at Ramkund to welcome the mahants and sadhus of all the akhadas.
Mahajan said: “The enthusiasm all around was great. The first shahi snan went off very well except for some inconvenience caused to some. But it was more important to ensure safety and security of all. There have been some learning points and we shall work on them for the next two parvanins.”
Police commissioner S Jagganathan was personally keeping a vigil on the situation with his team of DCPs, ACPs and other officers.
Senior officials including divisional commissioner Eknath Davale, municipal commissioner Dr Pravin Gedam and the staff of revenue and the corporation were also seen actively managing the crowd.
Mayor Ashok Murtadak and deputy mayor Gurmeet Bagga were at Ramkund ensuring that proper arrangements were made. MP Hemant Godse, former minister Chhagan Bhujbal, MLAs Devyani Farande, Seema Hire, Balasaheb Sanap, MLC Jayant Jadhav and corporators of NMC and members of ZP were also present.
Crime
Instances of chain-snatching and robberies were reported. A gang of nine girls was nabbed as suspects in snatching chains, purses and pick-pocketing by the police.
Medical aid
Emergency medical aid was provided to patients by ambulances. A case of heart attack was reported on Raviwar Karanja.
Volunteers
Many social organisations like the Gangaputra life guards, Bharat Sevashram, Shree Kalki seva samiti and other volunteers did help the sadhu mahants to take the dip and ensured that no body was washed away in the current.
Boycott
Mahant Trikal Bhavanta of the all-women Pari akhada who was not allotted a separate time and ghat for the shahi snan boycotted the Parvani.
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