Nearly 60 lakh devotees led by sadhus of 12 sects today took the first 'shahi snan' at Ardh Kumbh here to herald the Sun god's northward ascent signifying change of season, amid a last-minute boycott by a group of ascetics over the auspicious timing for the ritual dip.
Awahan akhara continued its flip-flop, reneged on the agreement reached last night in the All-India Akhara Parishad to iron out issues with the Joona akhara and did not turn up for the grand bath, prompting authorities to close its camp for "security reasons".
Some eight lakh sadhus of the other 12 sects, comprising nude Shaivite 'naga' ascetics and of Vaishnav akharas, headed for Sangam - the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers - in majestic processions to offer prayers to the Sun on the extended occasion of Makar Sankranti.
This year's harvest festival was marked by some confusion over its culmination as the sun was due to enter the Tropic of Capricorn late last night as per astrological calculations.
Some 'sants' and 'mahants' were perched atop chariots with ascetic followers in tow and accompanied by musical bands while 'naga sanyasis' of Joona, Niranjani, Anand, Atal and Mahanirvani Akharas came flourishing swords and spears in their traditional martial style.
Without the participation of the 'nagas' - who invite curious glances from pilgrims and foreigners at the megaevent - the 'shahi snan' of Ardh Kumbh or Mahakumbh is considered incomplete.
Several akharas had disciples from abroad and their heads were welcomed by administration officials by with flower garlands.
Harvard students condemn Oxford University
Publish Date : 3/5/2007 7:11:00 AM
Two Harvard students, including an NRI, have condemned Oxford University, where they are Rhodes scholars, as "outdated" and "frustrating" and dismissed its world famous Bodleian library as "less than inspiring".
Indian embassy to outsource jobs to American firm
Publish Date : 3/5/2007 7:10:00 AM
After taking thousands of American jobs through outsourcing, India is planning to give a few back. The Indian embassy in the US capital is planning to outsource processing of visas to a US-based company.
Badal heads 18-member coalition ministry in Punjab(Final lead: Badal)
Publish Date : 3/3/2007 7:29:00 AM
Octogenarian leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Parkash Singh Badal, on Friday took oath as Punjab's new Chief Minister and will lead an 18-member SAD-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition ministry.
Bareilly eunuch adopts a girl child
Publish Date : 3/3/2007 7:22:00 AM
It was a day of celebration for Saroj, a eunuch in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, as 'she' has become a 'mother' by adopting a baby girl.
Kalam offers prayer at Fatehpuri Masjid
Publish Date : 3/3/2007 7:16:00 AM
Keeping a promise made two years ago, President A P J Abdul Kalam today offered prayers at the historic Fatehpuri Masjid in Chandni Chowk here along with thousands of Muslims.
Union Budget directionless, says Modi
Publish Date : 3/1/2007 8:41:00 AM
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today criticised the Union Budget by terming it as "directionless".
Centre allocates over Rs 100 crore for minority zones
Publish Date : 3/1/2007 8:38:00 AM
Unfazed by the BJP's criticism over its welfare schemes for Muslims, the Congress-led Central Government has allocated over Rs 100 crore for development programmes in select districts with a sizeable population of minorities.
Kins of political bigwigs fail to find voters' favour
Publish Date : 3/1/2007 8:27:00 AM
The assembly polls in Punjab turned out to be unkind for several kins of political bigwigs as voters rejected most of them barring some of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supremo Parkash Singh Badal's near and dear ones.
High Court order on age of nursery admission tomorrow
Publish Date : 3/1/2007 8:24:00 AM
The Delhi High Court today observed that the city Government's submission that a child should be four-years-old to get admission in nursery class was contrary to the law.
Parliament session may be stormy tomorrow on Quattrocchi issue
Publish Date : 3/1/2007 8:18:00 AM
After the lull, it is going to be storm again in Parliament tomorrow.
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