Simhastha Kumbh Mela to begin in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar on Oct 31 next year

The NashikTrimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela will begin on October 31 2026 with the traditional hoisting of flags at the two prominent pilgrimage towns while the first Amrut Snan or ritual dip in the Godavari river will take place on August 2 2027The muchawaited dates were announced at a meeting of sadhus and mahants in Nashik chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who said the world would be awestruck by the scale of arrangements to be made for the magnificent congregationThe Simhastha Kumbh Mela will begin on October 31 2026 with Dhwajarohan flag hoisting at Trimbakeshwar and Ramkund in NashikOn July 29 2027 Nagar Pradakshina will be held at Nashik while the first Amrut Snan will be held on August 2 2027 The second Amrut Snan will be held on August 31 2027 and the third and last one will be held in Nashik on September 11 2027 and on September 12 2027 at TrimbakeshwarThe flag will be taken down on July 24 2028 which will mark the conclusion of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela which is held once in 12 yearsThe previous Simhastha Kumbha Mela was held at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in the year 201516 The Kumbh Festival is traditionally held at NashikTrimbakeshwar Prayag Allahabad Haridwar and Ujjain Ardh Kumbh is held at Prayag and Haridwar after every six yearsThe NashikiquestTrimbakeshwar Kumbh is unique as Vaishnav Akhadas and Shaiva Akhadas bath separately hereFadnavis said the meeting was attended by seers of all 13 main akhadas and representatives of the Purohit SanghHe said those who attended the meeting were provided details of the works being carried out by the state government for organising the mega event among the largest in the worldTenders of works costing Rs 4000 crore have been issued Tenders for another set of works entailing expenditure of Rs 2000 crore will also be issued soon Work on the sewage treatment plant STP cleaning of Godavari river and land acquisition for Sadhugram are in progress as well Fadnavis told reportersOn crowd control and management to ensure there is no stampedelike situation the CM said Amrut Snan dates have been announced and since the event will run for a long time devotees need not rush just on particular days and must space out their visitsThe government is making every effort to make Simhastha Kumbh Mela a memorable and very wellplanned affair Fadnavis assertedHe also accepted a suggestion during the meeting from Mahant Rajendradas Maharaj that shahi snan should be called Amrut Snan the way it was done in the recently concluded Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj in Uttar PradeshMaharashtra Government will make every possible effort to ensure that the upcoming Kumbh Mela is held in a safe pure and sacred atmosphere Fadnavis said adding that all necessary facilities will be made available for the devoteesHe said since Kumbh Mela symbolises the ancient Indian culture it draws attention from across the worldWith everyones cooperation a magnificent and memorable event will be organised that will leave the world in awe Fadnavis addedThe processions and spiritual direction of Kumbh are led by akharas monastic orders sadhus and mahants while the state governments role is to serve and provide the best possible amenitiesThe chief minister assured excellent facilities by the government and accommodating the feedback of sadhus and mahants for better planningUnlike 2015 when there was little preparation time this time with ample lead time the government is aiming for thorough preparation he saidNoting that preserving the sanctity and continuous flow of the Godavari River is the primary objective of the Kumbh Fadnavis said projects to manage sewage and wastewater are underway to ensure that only clean water enters the riverEfforts are being made to maintain water purity by preventing pollution and planning for uninterrupted river flow ensuring clean water during and after the Kumbh Mela Fadnavis saidHe said necessary facilities would be provided to the Akharas A road network is being developed across the city for the Kumbh Crowd management plans at places like Kushavarta in Trimbakeshwar are also being worked outQuality infrastructure will be set up in both Nashik and Trimbakeshwar with no shortage of funds the Chief Ministers Office stated in a releaseHe emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of devotees by prioritising security measures during planningHighlighting heritage development the Chief Minister announced a development plan of Rs 681 crores for Choundi the birthplace of Ahilyadevi Holkar The ghats constructed by her are also being preservedAdditionally Nashik will host a total of 44 auspicious bathing events and Trimbakeshwar 53 including Ekadashi Purnima Amavasya Vaidhriti and Vyatipata yogas Devotees are encouraged to participate in these in large numbers said District Collector Jalaj SharmaNashik is believed to be the part of Dandakaranya where Lord Rama lived during his exile Trimbakeshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas where the Godavari river originates on Bramhagiri hillsThe Kumbh Mela is the worlds largest public gathering and collective act of faith This congregation primarily includes ascetics saints sadhus sadhvis and pilgrims from all walks of lifeThe Maha Kumbh Mela was organised at Prayagraj on the banks of the confluence of three rivers in JanuaryFebruary this yearThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever