Awahan Akhara to boycott 'shahi snan' tomorrow

Ardh Kumbh Nagar, Jan 18 (UNI) Efforts to make all 13 'akharas' participate in the second 'shahi snan' at the Triveni Sangam tomorrow received a blow with the Awahan Akhara deciding to again boycott the bathing ritual.

The Awahan Akhara had not taken part in the first royal bath on January 15.

''We tried to make all efforts to make the Awahan Akhara take part in the royal bathing on Mauni Amavasya tomorrow, but failed in our attempts,'' Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Gyan Das told UNI here this evening.

Out of the 13 Akharas, the Awahan Akhara had boycotted the first of the three 'Shahi Snans' of the Ardh Kumbh, falling on Makar Sankranti day on January 15 last, demanding separate time for the royal bath in the Sangam.

Traditionally, two akharas -- Awahan and Agni -- are clubbed with Joona Akahara during the Shahi Snan, but Awahan asked for separate timing on January 15.

''We requested the Awahan Akhara to drop their demand to keep intact the old traditions, but they refused to budge, following which we were forced to reject their demand of separate time for royal bathing and as things stand right now, the Awahan Akhara will again miss the royal bathing tomorrow,'' Mahant Gyan Das maintained.

There are three royal baths ''shahi snan'' during the Ardh Kumbh --Makar Sankranti (January 15), Mauni Amawasya (tomorrow) and Basant Panchami (January 23).

UNI