Ujjain :Simhastha (Kumbh) mela 2016, the month long festival is the biggest assemblage of Hindus which began today, on April 22, 2016,with the arrival of Juna Akhara for the royal bath on the banks of Kshipra river for the holy dip.Not only Akhara,but also large no. of people from several corners of the country have converged for the holy Simhastha mela, which is being organized in Ujjain after a gap of 12 years at the city of Lord Mahakaleshwar(one of the 12 Jyotirlings)

It is expected to visit the holy city Ujjain approx 5 crore people.Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying it will be a "Green Simhastha".

CM Chouhan on the mela eve said that, "Over five crore pilgrims are expected to visit Ujjain and other holy places during the fair, for which huge security and logistical arrangements have been made, including shifting of police forces from various districts to Ujjain, one of the 12 'jyotirlingas' and the abode of Lord Mahakaleshwar,"

Digvijay Singh, who is the Congress General Secretary also took bath at Gaughat on the opening day of the Simhastha.

Eunuchs,this time also set up their “Akhara” in the mela area and they have successfully held out their succession in the city.

"Around five crore devotees are expected to take part in the Kumbh mela on the banks of pious Shipra river for which security has been ramped up in every nook and cranny of the district," said Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ujjain Range, Madhu Kumar.

He further including said, “At present, 22,000 security personnel, involving the state policemen, personnel from central forces and other departments have been deployed”

Kumar added,"At the time of Shahi Snan (royal dip) in Shipra river, 25,000 security personnel will keep a watch at the Mela venue,"