Over 15 lakh sadhus, pilgrims take bath on third royal bath

Haridwar, Mar 30 (PTI) Over 15 lakh pilgrims, including
sadhus and seers, on Tuesday took a holy dip in the Ganga on
the occasion of third royal bath of the ongoing Mahakumbh in
this northern city.
Sadhus and seers, belonging to 7 'Shaiv akharas' (Hindu
orders)-- Juna, Niranjani, Atal, Aahwan, Anand, Mahanirvani
and Agni-- were the first to take bath at Brahmkund area of
Har-Ki-Pauri, the main bathing ghat, on Chaitra Purnima, which
has been declared for the first time as an occasion for royal
bath.
They were followed by sadhus belonging to 'Bairagi
(Vaishnav) akharas' of Nirmohi Ani, Digambar Ani and Nirwani
Ani, who reached the Har-Ki-Pauri in the form of a procession.
Thousands of sadhus, including Khalsa, Dakor and
Ramanandacharyas attended the procession, which was led by
Mahant Gyan Das, President of Akil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad.
Lakhs of devotees were seen standing on both sides of the
road with folded hands braving the scorching Sun to witness
the procession. PTI