A ritual bath named as “Shahi Snan” is a major event of which of the following festival?

Kumbh Mela

The correct answer is Option (4) - Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, celebrated by millions of Hindus. It is a pilgrimage that takes place at four sacred locations in India: Haridwar, Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Nashik, and Ujjain. The Kumbh Mela is held periodically, rotating between these four locations, with each location hosting the festival approximately every twelve years.

The highlight of the Kumbh Mela is the ritual bath, or "Snana," which holds immense significance for Hindu devotees. Among the various ritual baths that take place during the Kumbh Mela, the "Shahi Snan" (literally translated as "Royal Bath") is particularly grand and draws massive crowds.

During the Shahi Snan, which typically occurs on specific auspicious dates predetermined according to Hindu astrology, revered saints, ascetics, and members of various Hindu sects lead processions to the banks of the holy river where the Kumbh Mela is being held. These processions are often elaborate, with participants adorned in traditional attire and accompanied by musical instruments and chanting.

At the designated time, these revered figures, often referred to as "mahants" or spiritual leaders, take the ceremonial bath in the sacred river. The belief is that bathing in the holy waters during the Kumbh Mela, especially during the Shahi Snan, cleanses one of sins and leads to spiritual purification and liberation.

The Shahi Snan attracts pilgrims and spectators from all over India and beyond, who come to witness this sacred event and partake in the spiritual atmosphere of the Kumbh Mela. It is a time of devotion, celebration, and community gathering, fostering a sense of unity among people of different backgrounds who come together to participate in this ancient and revered tradition.