India, Feb. 3 -- Akharas kickstarted the third grand 'Amrit Snan' at ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj in the early hours of Monday, amid tighter protocols days after the previous auspicious bathing day saw a deadly stampede in which at least 30 people died.

The third 'Amrit Snan' of Maha Kumbh 2025 is on the occasion of Basant Panchami.

To ensure a mishap-free event, a schedule of bathing was decided by the mela administration in tune with the senior sadhus of the akharas. Each akhara was allotted a 40-minute window at the holy waters, with the first procession completing their ritual and returning to their camps by 8.30 am.

Mahanirvani and Atal Akharas left their camps for the bathing ghats at 4 am itself and were ...