Ujjain, May 9 (IANS) The second 'royal dip' at the Simhastha Kumbh here on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya saw sadhus of various 'Akharas' performing the ritual with fanfare, barring some who complained of inconvenience due to the tight security arrangements.
The first 'royal dip' was on April 22, the day the Simhastha Kumbh pilgrimage started.
A sea of humanity converged here for taking a dip in the Kshipra river. Tradition has it that 'Akharas' take the holy bath first at a predetermined time and place and then the others.
An 'Akhara' is an order of Hindu renunciates who see themselves as defending and protecting 'Dharma'.
Ujjain reverberated with sacred chants as grand processions of sadhus marched towards the bathing ghats of Kshipra.
The occasion of Akshaya Tritiya drew millions of people from across the country to this city.
Narendra Giri of Akhara parishad (council) said the arrangements for the second royal dip are much better than for the first.
Some sadhus, however, did protest against the inconvenience they experienced on account of security arrangements.
A pilgrim from Jhunjunu district of Rajasthan said: "We arrived in Ujjain for Akshaya Tritiya five days in advance. It's been a great fulfilment of our wish to have a darshan of Lord Mahakaal."
Ravindra Singh, Dilip Kumar and Dhanajay Pande of Rohtas district of Bihar said they are visiting Ujjain along with 20 other family members.
"We were able to have a darshan of Lord Mahakaal despite huge crowds," they said.
The Simhastha Kumbh concludes on May 21.
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