Pilgrims begin taking holy dips to avoid crowd during Parvani days

NASHIK: The peak period for the ‘shahi snan’ during the parvani days is still a month away, but devotees have already started thronging Ramkund to take a holy dip in the Godavari. Pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have been seen flocking Ramkund to take the holy bath on Godavari-Pushkaram, a religious festival. Then here are others who, in a bid to avoid the crowd during the Parvani days, are bathing in the holy river now.
The main days for the shahi snan during the Parvani period fall on August 28, September 13 and 18. On these days, the sadhus and the manants would be arriving at the Godavari ghats in large numbers to take the holy dip. The three dates are said to be the most auspicious during the Kumbh Mela period.
Nandkishor Pawar, a mediaperson from Bethul, Madhya Pradesh, said that he had come with his family for the holy dip because bathing in Ramkund after the Simhastha Kumbh Mela’s flag hoisting ceremony held religious significance. Since he wanted to avoid the crowd that would gather during the Parvani days from next month onwards, he has opted for taking part in the ritual now.
“Some people place more importance to the Shahi Snan. But there is a huge crowd of sadhus and mahants during that period due to which other pilgrims cannot take the holy dip at Ramkund. The devotees bathe after the godmen,” said Pawar.
He further said that after the flag hoisting, this was an auspicious period to bathe in the Godavari.
Chetan S is an engineering student who has come from Karnataka with a family of 11 to bathe in the holy river at Ramkund.
“During this period, Godavari-Pushkaram is observed by the people of Karnataka. We observe this festival from July 14, the day the Kumbh flag was hoisted,” said Chetan.
Parvati Sharma, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, wanted to avoid the crowd during the Shahi Snan and thus opted for coming to Nashik for the holy dip now.
“It is all a matter of faith. When the sun and the Jupiter enter the Leo zodiac, it is the Simhastha — the holy period to bathe in the holy river at Ramkund. Rather than taking my children for the shahi snan during the overcrowded Parvani period, it makes more sense to come here now when it is relatively less crowded,” said Parvati.
Another pilgrim Yadgiri Kamoni, a resident of Mumbai who came with his wife for the holy dip echoed Parvati’s opinion on faith.
“As per the Telugu ritual, the Pushpak Snan is taken from July 14 to 25. It is all about faith that the holy bath should be taken during this auspicious period. This has been the tradition since ages,” said Kamoni.
Senior citizens Harbind Kumar and Madhu Agrawal have come from Faridpur, Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh as part of their pilgrimage.
“We visited several pilgrimages before heading to Nashik for the holy dip in Ramkund. Godavari is an important river religiously after the Ganga. Bathing during this period is considered auspicious. It is not necessary to bathe only during the Shahi Snan days,” they said.
Shravani Paladugu, who has also come from Bellary, Karnataka, for the Pushkaram snan, said, “Pushkaram comes once in 12 years when all the stars align to enter a single zodiac.”
Chief of the Purohit Sangh Satish Shukla said that from July 14 when the Kumbh flag was hoisted till August 11, 2016, all religious activities have importance.
“From the day of flag hoisting, the auspicious period begins and pilgrims can take the holy dip during this time. All religious activities are held during this time period, which is known as the Simhastha vidhi. Lakhs of people from various states come here for performing various rituals,” said Shukla.