ashik, Sep 18 (PTI) Amid heavy downpour, thousands of saints and devotees today took 'shahi snan' (royal bath) in the Ramkund here on the last auspicious day of the ongoing Kumbh Mela.

Saints belonging to the three akhadas -- Nirmohi, Nirwani and Digambar -- arrived in a grand procession from Laxminarayan Temple in Tapovan area to the Ramkund pond on banks of river Godavari.

They were seated in colourfully decorated vehicles and were sporting marigold garlands. Smeared with vermilion and 'chandan', they embarked for the royal bath amid heavy rains since the wee hours.

Maharashtra Water Resource Minister Girish Mahajan, Mayor Ashok Murtadak and other senior officials of the civic body and administration were present at the site of royal bath.

After completion of 'shahi snan' of mahants, thousands of devotees who have come to take holy dip on the last 'parvani' which marks 'Rishi panchami' today, took bath at various ghats including, Kapila, Gauri Patangan, Yashwantrao Maharaj, Talkeshwar, and Laxminarayan.