Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra: Seers and devotees today took 'shahi snan' (royal bath) at Kushavartatirthi pond in Trimbakeshwar on the third 'parvani' (auspicious day) of the ongoing Kumbh Mela.
Today was the last 'shahi snan' at Trimbakeshwar, which marks the culmination of all royal baths at the ongoing religious congregation.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the 'puja' at the Kushavartatirthi pond in Trimbakeshwar at around midnight last night.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel is also likely to arrive later in the day, while Assam Governor PB Acharya paid a visit at Nashik today.
Seers belonging to seven 'akhadas' took the royal bath at the pond after they reached the spot leading colourful processions.
President of Trimbakeshwar Purohit Sangh, Jayant Shikhare, said that those who could not visit Kumbh for shahi snans on all specific days should not feel disappointed as the Mela will continue till August next year and pilgrims can come to take holy dip at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar at anytime during this period.
Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements were made for today's royal bath at the pond and for pilgrims who thronged the ghats to take a holy dip.
District Superintendent of Police Sanjay Mohite said additional personnel have been deployed at various spots and they are monitoring the situation from the control room.
Divisional Revenue Commissioner Eknath Davle, District Collector Dipendrasinh Kushwah, Special IG (Nashik Range), JJ Singh, and other officials have been camping in Trimbakeshwar since yesterday.
A fleet of 700 special buses is being operated by the State Road Transport Corporation to ferry pilgrims from the parking area on the outskirts of the city to the bathing ghats.
