Ujjain: Amidst tight security, over 10 lakh devotees including thousands of deadlocked sadhus took holy dip in the Kshipra river today (Apr 22, 2004) on the second Shahi snan of the ongoing "Simhastha parv Mahakumbh" mela.

"The estimated number of pilgrims who took part in the royal bath is 10 lakh, which is expected to increase by evening. The proceedings were conducted smoothly and peacefully," District Magistrate Rajesh Rajora said.

Arriving in royal processions or "Peshwai", garlanded sadhus smeared in ash thronged the river-banks, dancing to the rhythm of drum beats and chanting slogans like "Har Har Mahadev".

Wielding spears, swords and sticks in a show of martial prowess, reminiscent of the training given to them ages ago for the protection of "Sanathana Dharma", they walked through the congested streets of the Mahakal Mandir to the ghats as the crowd showered flowers on them from their roof tops.

The focal points of the royal bath were the two main ghats, Ram Ghat and Datt Akhada Ghat, which are complemented by over a dozen additional ghats specially built for Simhastha, each measuring 3 1/2 km.