The Allahabad or Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2019 began on Tuesday morning with the 1st Shahi Snan. As a part of the Shahi Snan, sadhus belonging to 13 akhadas take a dip in the holy rivers next to which the Kumbh Mela takes place. The order in which the akhadas perform the holy ritual by taking a dip in the river , no one is allowed to enter the holy river before the akhadas finish their Shahi Snans.
The ritual of Shahi Snan dates back to centuries. It is believed that the tradition of a Shahi Snan, a holy dip in the river, began during the 14th-16th century. The ritual is called Shahi Snan, meaning a royal dip, primarily because of the ceremonial importance attached to it.