Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh begins: Murmu hoists flag at Ramkund, Fadnavis at Kushavarta Tirtha

In Trimbakeshwar, Fadnavis raised the flag at Kushavarta Tirtha at 12:02 pm, in the presence of Sringeri Sharada Peeth's Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji, according to one report, while another names the Shankaracharya as Vidhushekhar Bharti. One report links the start to an auspicious astrological moment tied to Jupiter's entry into the Leo sign.

The President was to visit Trimbakeshwar in the afternoon for darshan, to pay respects at the Dhwaj Stambh and to meet Shaiv Akhada sadhus, and then to return to Nashik for the Goda Aarti at Ramkund that evening, where she was to address the gathering. About 6,500 members of tribal communities, a figure given as 6,657 in another report, were to take part in the aarti, and organisers say they are trying to set a world record.

The day was preceded by a Mahadhwaj Gram Parikrama on Friday, which moved from Tapovan Maidan through Ramtirth Panchavati to Ramkund. The ancient Shri Ganga Godavari temple at Ramkund reopened on Saturday after 11 years.

Arrangements

Authorities tightened security across Nashik and Trimbakeshwar because of the President's visit, the attendance of senior political leaders and the large crowds. Special decorations were put up at Shri Ramkund, the Godavari ghats and Kushavarta Tirtha, and traffic management, crowd control and cleanliness measures were arranged, with police and civic departments coordinating around the venues. The reports found do not give an expected number of pilgrims, a budget or details of the infrastructure.

The September Amrit Snan is observed by the Vaishnav Akhadas, with the Shaiv Akhadas taking part a day later. Some sources give the end date at Ramkund and others at Trimbakeshwar, so the reports differ on which date applies to which site.

The Simhastha is a Hindu religious fair held every 12 years in Nashik district. It is one of four fairs recognised as Kumbh Melas. Ritual bathing takes place on the banks of the Godavari at the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple in Trimbak and at Ramkund in Nashik. The dates follow zodiac positions, and the Mela may be held when Jupiter is in Leo, which is Simha in Sanskrit.

According to one reference, the link to the Kumbh myth is relatively recent, and earlier texts describe a Simhastha gathering at Trimbak without using the Kumbh name. Until 1789 the fair was held only at Trimbak. After a clash between Shaivite and Vaishnavite groups, the Maratha Peshwa moved the Vaishnavite bathing to Ramkund in Nashik, and Shaivites still regard Trimbak as the proper site.

In 2003, 39 pilgrims died and 57 were injured during the Nashik Kumbh Mela, which ran from 27 July to 7 September. An estimated 30 million devotees attended the 2015 Mela, when a project by MIT tested smart solutions for crowd and civic management.

The reports found do not include the President's speech at Ramkund, and they do not give a figure for expected visitors. They also do not say whether the bathing dates have been revised since they were first announced in 2025.