The Shankaracharya, camping at the Mankameshwar temple along the banks of Yamuna for the past one week, entered his camp in a grand procession.
The pontiff was perched atop a chariot as musical bands played devotional tunes and supporters chanted hymns.
The Shankaracharya had been miffed at administration's refusal to allot land for a "Sankaracharya Chatushpad" with camps of the Shankaracharyas of all four Peeths located close to each other and around a statue of Adi Sankara.
On December 30, Swaroopananda took the unprecedented step of leaving the city vowing to stay away from the 12-yearly congregation.
He relented later when an emissary of the Uttar Pradesh government met him at his ashram in Madhya Pradesh with a personal letter from Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
However, on entering the Maha Kumbh ground, the Shankaracharya made it clear he had agreed to take part in the congregation "just because I do not wish to sadden my supporters".
He, however, said he was sticking to his demand for a Sankaracharya Chatushpad "which is aimed at helping the people distinguish the real Shankaracharyas from the self-styled ones". MORE