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  • Historic Simhastha Kumbh Festival Begins at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar

    Historic Simhastha Kumbh Festival Begins at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar

    Dhwajarohan by the President, Gram Parikrama and Mahadhwaj Dand Pranapratishtha

    The main ceremony of the Dhwajarohan (flag-hoisting) of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela will be performed today, October 31, by President Droupadi Murmu. The city of Nashik is ready for this historic ceremony, and on its eve the celebrations began with the Nagar Pradakshina (city circumambulation) and the Dhwajdand Pujan (worship of the flagstaff).

    Governor Vishnu Deo Verma, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Kumbh Mela Minister Girish Mahajan, and Jagadguru Shri Shri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swami, the Shankaracharya of the Sringeri Math, will be present at the ceremony. Around 1,500 VIPs from across the state have also been invited.

    Trikhandi Yoga after 71 years

    When Jupiter enters the sign of Leo, the Simhastha Kumbh festival begins in Nashik. This year, with the Trikhandi Yoga occurring 71 years after 1956, the Kumbh Mela is said to span 28 months. To mark the beginning of this festival, the Dhwajarohan will be performed today in the presence of the President. After the President’s arrival in Nashik in the morning, a programme will be held at Ramkund. In the presence of the Shankaracharya, Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Narendracharya Maharaj and sadhu-mahants, the installed deities at the Yajnashala near the Ganga Temple will be worshipped. This will be followed by Gangabhet at Ramtirtha, the worship of the main pillar (Stambh Pujan) and the Dhwajarohan.

    Gram Parikrama held with enthusiasm

    On the eve of the Dhwajarohan, a grand Gram Parikrama was taken out through Nashik city. Four Jagadgurus, the heads of all three Akhadas, Jagadguru Narendracharya Maharaj and more than 50,000 followers participated in the procession. The Mahadhwaj Rath (great flag chariot), the Amritakumbh Rath and the presence of sadhu-mahants lent the procession a religious character.

    This is the Dharma Dhwaj

    The main Dharma Dhwaj is fifteen-and-a-half feet long and five-and-a-half feet high. On one side of the flag are shown a lion — the vehicle of Brihaspati (Jupiter) — and the Sun and Moon as symbols of time. It is explained that the Kumbh Mela will continue as long as the Sun and Moon exist. The lion is a symbol of valour, while on the other side is the Amrit Kalash (the pot of nectar).

    These are the symbols on the flag

    The Dharma Dhwaj at Kushavarta bears the Sun, the Moon, Brihaspati (Jupiter), the lion, two zodiac signs, twelve bells as symbols of Jupiter’s orbital cycle, the crocodile — the vehicle of the Godavari — Om, the Swastika and the ten directions. Besides these, there are symbols of the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Ganpati, the lotus, Kamadhenu, the horse — the vehicle of the Sun god — Airavat, the Kaustubh Mani, the Kalpavriksha, Rambha-Menaka, Lakshmi, Dhanvantari, the Sharanga bow and the Panchajanya conch. The Dharma Dhwaj is regarded as a symbol of the immortality and liberation granted by Goda Mata.

    Today’s programmes

    • 8 AM to 1 PM: Morning worship (Pratah Pujan) of the installed deities
    • 11 AM to 12 PM: Sankalp, Ganesh Pujan, Pancharghya Samarpan and Teerth Pujan in the presence of the President and the chief guests
    • 12:02 PM: Main Dhwajarohan at the auspicious moment by the President, Goda Aarti and prayer
    • 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM: Pratishthapana Havan, evening worship and Goda Aarti

    The President’s tour itinerary

    • 9 AM: Arrival in Nashik
    • 11 AM: Arrival at Ramkund Teerth
    • 12:02 PM: Dhwajarohan
    • 3 PM: Dhwaj Stambh Pujan at Kushavarta Teerth, Trimbakeshwar
    • 5 PM: Arrival at Ramkund and Goda Aarti
    • 7 PM: Departure for Delhi

    Watch Live — Simhastha Kumbh Mela Dhwajarohan Live: District Information Office, Nashik

    Live coverage: District Information Office, Nashik

    Mahagoda Aarti World Record

    Video: Maharashtra DGIPR

  • Mahagoda Aarti Illuminates the Goda Bank in a World Record Evening

    Mahagoda Aarti Illuminates the Goda Bank in a World Record Evening

    On Dhwajarohan day, 31 October 2026, the banks of the Goda in Nashik glowed with the light of thousands of lamps as the evening Mahagoda Aarti was held in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu. The President performed Goda pujan on the occasion, marking a historic evening for the city.

    About 6,500 tribal (Janjati) participants from 650 tribal-majority villages of Nashik district performed the aarti together in unison, earning the event a world-record honour. The grand aarti was organised under the guidance of guardian minister Girish Mahajan.

    Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, addressing the gathering, spoke on the tribal community’s contribution to Sanatan culture, underlining the deep bond between the Janjati community and the region’s spiritual heritage.

    The concerns of drought and farmers were also raised at the event. The President assured that the Centre, together with the State, would extend help to drought-affected farmers with dignity.

    Governor Jishnudev Varma offered prayers that the shadow of drought over Maharashtra lifts, that prosperity returns to the lives of farmers, and that the land of Maharashtra becomes sujalam sufalam once again.

  • President’s Ozar to Nashik Journey by Road

    President’s Ozar to Nashik Journey by Road

    (Change in helicopter travel plans due to weather change)

    Nashik: There has been a sudden change in President Droupadi Murmu’s tour of Nashik and Trimbakeshwar on Saturday (the 31st) for the Dhwajarohan ceremony of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, following the forecast of rain. After landing at Ozar Airport, the President will travel from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar by road instead of by helicopter. The police machinery has afresh replanned the security arrangements, traffic control and the travel route.

    On October 31, the President will hoist the flag of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. Helicopter travel was initially planned for this tour. After the President’s special aircraft arrived at Ozar Airport, she would be brought by helicopter to the Maharashtra Police Academy ground in Nashik, then by vehicle to Ramkund, and then by helicopter to Trimbakeshwar, returning to Nashik after the programme. Helipads were arranged at various places for this, and the police had conducted a dress rehearsal of the travel from the helipad to the venue. However, according to the weather department’s forecast, rain is possible in Nashik and various parts of the state during October 29 to 31. Adverse weather can obstruct helicopter flights, so the tour plan has been changed.

    Security agencies scramble

    Since the travel will now be by road, security along the entire route had to be expanded. For the safe travel of the President’s convoy, police deployment at various places, barricading, alternative traffic routes, and security at important locations have been replanned. The police have also begun physically inspecting the convoy’s possible route, carrying out necessary road repairs, and conducting dress rehearsals along the entire route.

  • These Roads in Nashik Closed Today and Tomorrow; Here Is the Parking

    These Roads in Nashik Closed Today and Tomorrow; Here Is the Parking

    Traffic ban in Ramkund area for Simhastha Dhwajarohan, Goda Aarti

    Nashik: Big changes have been made in Nashik city traffic for the Dharma Dhwaj procession, the Dhwajarohan and the Goda Aarti marking the start of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. On October 30 there is the Dharma Dhwaj procession, and on October 31 the Dhwajarohan and the Goda Aarti. With President Droupadi Murmu and state- and national-level dignitaries attending, No Entry has been imposed on Ramkund, Goda Ghat and the major roads in the area.

    A large presence is expected of the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, ministers, public representatives, saints-mahants and devotees. The police have made special plans for security and to avoid crowds and traffic jams. Deputy Commissioner of Police Chandrakant Gavli has issued the traffic notification. Parking has been arranged at various places for devotees, and walking routes from there to the respective ghats and venues have been fixed.

    Goda Aarti Parking

    Parking has been made available at Malegaon Stand to Makhamalabad Naka, Vallabh Peeth, Sambhaji Maharaj Garden, Ravivar Karanja, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Stadium, Hospital area, B. D. Bhalekar Maidan, Shinde Mala, Shraddha Lawns and KTHM College.

    Parking for the Dhwajarohan ceremony

    Parking has been arranged in the Gandhi Talav and Yashwant Maharaj Patangan area. In addition, devotees can park their vehicles at Gangapur Road, Guranch DawaKhana (veterinary hospital), Siddheshwar Temple and Sambhaji Maharaj Garden and reach the venue on foot by the designated route.

    ‘No Entry’ on these city roads

    Restrictions have been imposed on the routes towards Ramkund — the Ravivar Karanja, Holkar Pool, Malegaon Stand, Panchavati Karanja, Dindori Naka, Makhamalabad Naka, Sardar Chowk, Malviya Chowk and Shani Chowk area. Changes have also been made in the traffic on Ramsetu and Gadge Maharaj bridges. During the Goda Aarti, the routes to Ekmukhi Datta Temple, Gandhi Talav, Yashwant Maharaj Patangan, Kapurthala Maidan, Rokdoba Maidan and various ghats have also been kept closed. Citizens should avoid taking their vehicles to those areas during the programmes.

    Parking arrangement for devotees going for Goda Aarti

    • Malegaon Stand to Makhamalabad Naka
    • Vallabh Peeth
    • Sambhaji Maharaj Garden
    • Ravivar Karanja
    • Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Stadium
    • Hospital area
    • B. D. Bhalekar Maidan
    • Shinde Mala
    • Shraddha Lawns
    • KTHM College

    Parking and walking routes for Dhwajarohan

    1. After parking at Guranch DawaKhana or Siddheshwar Temple, walk from Sambhaji Maharaj Garden via under Ahilyadevi Holkar Bridge to Ekmukhi Datta Ghat and Gandhi Talav.
    2. After parking at Ashok Stambh, Ravivar Karanja, walk via Saraf Bazaar, Balaji Temple and Nilkantheshwar Ghat route to Gandhi Talav.
    3. After parking at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Stadium, the walking route is: Red Cross Signal, Dhumal Tea Point, Nehru Chowk, Delhi Darwaza and Rokdoba Maidan.
    4. After parking at Ashok Stambh, Rathi School, walk via Siddheshwar Temple and under Holkar Bridge to Ekmukhi Datta Ghat and Gandhi Talav.
    5. After parking at B. D. Bhalekar Maidan, walk via Red Cross Signal, Dhumal Tea Point, Nehru Chowk, Delhi Darwaza and Rokdoba Maidan to the venue.
    6. After parking at Tapovan Crossing, Swaminarayan Temple, Amardham and Shinde Mala, walk from there to Gauri Patangan, Mhasoba Patangan and old Bhaji Patangan.
    7. After parking at Tractor House, Nanavali Police Chowki and Amardham Bridge, park vehicles at Shinde Mala and walk to Gauri Patangan and old Bhaji Patangan.
    8. After parking at Ganeshwadi Devi Chowk, Phool Bazaar and Gauri Patangan, park vehicles here and walk to old Bhaji Patangan.
    9. After parking at Katya Maruti Chowk, Devi Chowk and Amardham Road, park vehicles at Shinde Mala and walk to Gauri Patangan, Mhasoba Patangan and Bhaji Patangan.

    Roads that will remain closed during the Dhwajarohan ceremony

    • Ravivar Karanja to Holkar Pool
    • Malegaon Stand to Panchavati Karanja
    • Dindori Naka to Makhamalabad Naka
    • Malegaon Stand to Ramkund
    • Sardar Chowk to Ramkund
    • Ramkund to Malviya Chowk
    • Malviya Chowk to Panchavati Karanja
    • Shani Chowk to Ramkund
    • Gadge Maharaj Pool
    • Ramsetu Pool

    Roads closed during Goda Aarti

    • Ekmukhi Datta Temple, Gandhi Talav, Yashwant Maharaj Patangan, Kapurthala Maidan and Rokdoba Maidan area ghats
    • Guranch DawaKhana, Gharpure Ghat, Siddheshwar Temple, Phanibaba Dargah, Dangar Uttar to Ekmukhi Datta Temple
    • Ashok Stambh, Ravivar Karanja, Mangesh Mithai, Saraf Bazaar, Bhandi Bazaar and Balaji Temple area
    • Dhumal Point, Prakash Supari, Nehru Chowk and Delhi Darwaza
    • Ravivar Karanja, Main Road to Dhumal Point
    • Ramsetu Pool and Gadge Maharaj Pool
    • Ravivar Karanja, Holkar Pool, Malegaon Stand, Panchavati Karanja and Dindori Naka
    • Makhamalabad Naka, Malegaon Stand, Ramkund and Sardar Chowk
    • Ramkund, Malviya Chowk and Panchavati Karanja
    • Shani Chowk to Ramkund
  • Trimbakeshwar Temple Closed on 30th and 31st

    Trimbakeshwar Temple Closed on 30th and 31st

    Darshan closed from midnight October 30 to 6 PM October 31 due to the President’s visit

    Trimbakeshwar: In the backdrop of the Simhastha Dhwajarohan ceremony to be held at Trimbakeshwar on October 31, the district administration has decided to temporarily keep darshan arrangements for ordinary devotees closed. Since the President, the Governor, the Chief Minister and many very important persons will attend, restrictions have been imposed for security reasons. Additional District Magistrate Rohitkumar Rajput has issued the order in this regard.

    According to the order, from 12 midnight on October 30 to 6 PM on October 31, 2026, or until the programme ends — whichever is later — regular darshan at the temple will remain closed. However, holders of official darshan passes distributed by the district administration will get entry to the temple.

    For the Simhastha Dhwajarohan ceremony on October 31, President Droupadi Murmu and prominent dignitaries of the country and the state will be present. The administration has clarified that during this tour, it is necessary to keep the security arrangements uninterrupted, ensure that no law-and-order question arises, and plan for the possible crowd.

    The Nashik Rural Superintendent of Police and the Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust had also expressed the need to keep darshan arrangements closed for some time from the security point of view. Accordingly, after discussion in the District Disaster Management Authority’s meeting, the decision to keep the temple closed was taken.

  • Flag’s Gram Parikrama from Tapovan Today for Simhastha Mahadhwajarohan

    Flag’s Gram Parikrama from Tapovan Today for Simhastha Mahadhwajarohan

    More than 50 chitraraths, participation of saints-mahants with 15 buggies; conclusion with evening aarti at Ramkund

    Nashik: On the eve of the Dhwajarohan ceremony organised for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, a grand Gram Parikrama of the flag will be taken out through Nashik city. The ceremony will begin at 2 PM in the presence of various dignitaries.

    For the Mahadhwaj Pranapratishtha and Dhwajarohan ceremony, this Parikrama starting at 2 PM on Friday (the 30th) from Sadhu Gram Maidan in Tapovan will proceed along the city’s main routes and reach Ramkund. The companionship of saints-mahants, the sound of traditional instruments, and various religious-cultural tableaux (chitraraths) will be its main attractions. Preparations have been made in the Tapovan area for this.

    At 1 PM there will be a welcome programme for the Akhada heads, the Police Commissioner, the Municipal Commissioner, senior officers of the Kumbh Mela Authority, and saints-mahants. After that, at 2 PM the Parikrama starts from Sadhu Gram Maidan. The heads of all three Akhadas, representatives of various religious institutions, and devotees will participate in it.

    A glimpse of religious-cultural traditions through the tableaux

    The Parikrama will include 15 buggies for saints-mahants and more than 50 tableaux based on religious and cultural themes, along with tractors. The sound of dhol-tasha, conch blowing, and demonstrations of Mardani Khel will make the Parikrama’s atmosphere enthusiastic. Through the participation of various religious institutions, an attempt will be made to showcase Indian tradition and culture.

    The Parikrama from Tapovan will proceed along the main routes and is planned to reach Ramkund at 6:30 PM. After the evening aarti there, the programme will conclude.

  • Shankhanad World Record; Goda Bank Reverberates

    Shankhanad World Record; Goda Bank Reverberates

    (Nashik residents break America’s record of 303 conch blowers)

    Nashik – Breaking America’s previous record of 303 simultaneous conch-blowings, 517 Nashik residents set a new world record for collective shankhanad, recording a historic achievement in Nashik’s name. The ceremony, which underscored devotion, faith, collective strength and the glory of Indian culture, became an important milestone in the auspicious run-up to the Simhastha Kumbh Mela-2027.

    On behalf of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela Authority and the Anant Vijay Shankhanad Pathak, a collective shankhanad was performed on Kojagiri Purnima day (26 October) at the Yashwant Maharaj ground on the banks of the Godavari. The shankhanad at the ceremony, held in the chief presence of Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan, filled the entire Goda bank with vibrant energy. The conch sounds resonating together on the Goda bank showcased Nashik’s religious and cultural traditions and built enthusiasm for welcoming the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

    Present in large numbers on the occasion were Mayor Himgouri Adke, MLAs Rahul Dhikale, Devyani Pharande and Seema Hire, Kumbh Mela Authority chairman and Divisional Commissioner Dr. Praveen Gedam, Authority Commissioner Shekhar Singh, Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri, District Collector Ayush Prasad, Public Works Department Chief Engineer Arundhati Sharma, Superintending Engineer Devendra Pawar, Planning Department Deputy Commissioner Yogendra Chaudhary, Executive Engineer Navnath Sonawane, Guinness World Records representative Rishikesh Nag, coordinator Milind Berlekar, Anant Vijay Shankhanad Pathak’s Vrushali Gholap, District Superintending Agriculture Officer Ravindra Mane, along with sadhus-mahants, conch players and citizens.

    A Display of Preparation, Discipline and Enthusiasm

    Shankhanad is an integral part of India’s religious and cultural traditions. Conch-blowing holds special significance in auspicious ceremonies, religious rituals and spiritual worship. Nashik witnessed the celebration of adding a world record to this tradition. The preparation, discipline and enthusiasm displayed by hundreds of citizens for simultaneous conch-blowing became the hallmarks of this initiative.

    Blowing the Conch Is Also an Art

    Blowing the conch is not merely a religious act; it requires control over breathing, regular practice, pranayama and physical stamina. Coordinating a large number of participants for collective shankhanad was therefore a challenging task. Citizens of Nashik participated spontaneously in this initiative, displaying unity. This achievement, accomplished through collective effort, has given Nashik’s cultural identity new prestige.

    Dhwajarohan on 31 October; Preparations Gain Pace

    As an important milestone in the preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, the dhwajarohan ceremony will be held at Ramkund on 31 October at 12:02 pm. A dhwajarohan has also been organised at Trimbakeshwar at the same time. Guardian Minister Mahajan appealed to citizens to come forward enthusiastically to participate in the ceremony.

  • Nashik and Trimbak Nagari to Turn Saffron

    Nashik and Trimbak Nagari to Turn Saffron

    One lakh flags to be put up through the ‘Har Ghar Bhagwa’ campaign on the occasion of Dhwajarohan

    Nashik: To create a religious and spiritual atmosphere in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar against the backdrop of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, a ‘Har Ghar Bhagwa’ (saffron flag in every home) campaign will be run in Nashik. Under the campaign, launched on the occasion of the Kumbh Mela’s dhwajarohan ceremony, saffron flags are planned to be unfurled on every home in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar cities. The target is to put up as many as one lakh saffron flags, and with citizens’ participation, both cities will turn saffron.

    The mega campaign will be launched on the auspicious occasion of Kojagiri Purnima, i.e., Sunday (the 25th). To take the campaign to a wider level, responsibility has been entrusted to more than two thousand booth chiefs. Apart from this, the campaign will be implemented in the city through 1,047 BJP and one thousand Shiv Sena booth chiefs under the guidance of the city’s MLAs and corporators.

    75,000 Flags in Nashik, 25,000 in Trimbakeshwar

    Given the campaign’s scale, machinery has also been set up for flag distribution in Indore, Dhule, Jalgaon and Ahilyanagar along with Nashik. Flags made at these places have started reaching Nashik. This will add broad public participation to the campaign.

    The Kumbh Mela is a festival that showcases Indian culture, tradition and spiritual heritage along with being a religious event. With lakhs of devotees and sadhus-mahants arriving from across the country, the aim of this initiative is to create a devotional and cultural atmosphere in the city to welcome them. The saffron flag is a symbol of culture and religion. The campaign is being run from the vision of Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan, and against the backdrop of the Kumbh Mela, this campaign will prove important for creating a cultural atmosphere in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.

    Watch this news in video

  • Air Connectivity Option in Simhastha; 3 Heliports Ready at Trimbakeshwar

    Air Connectivity Option in Simhastha; 3 Heliports Ready at Trimbakeshwar

    Nashik: With the aim of boosting religious tourism, saving travel time and also making employment opportunities available to locals, a helicopter service for devotees will be started at Trimbakeshwar for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. Work on building 3 heliports at the location is underway for this. With this air service, devotees from cities about 40 minutes away by air, like Mumbai, Surat and Jalgaon, will be able to have darshan and return within a few hours.

    Through the helicopter service, it will be easier for devotees coming from cities about 40 minutes from Nashik by air — such as Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, Jalgaon and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar — to visit Trimbakeshwar for darshan. As crores of devotees are expected to arrive from across the country during the Simhastha parvani period, the administration is focusing on planning transport, accommodation, darshan, health, security and other facilities. In this context, the plan to start a helicopter service at Trimbakeshwar has been finalised. At present, air transport companies have been informed about this service, and if the companies are ready, the air service will start from 1 November, i.e., within the next 8 days.

    Darshan in Just About an Hour

    The air service will help reduce the burden on road transport. After reaching Trimbakeshwar by helicopter, devotees can have darshan at the temple and make the return journey. About an hour is expected for the entire process. A plan is in place to make VIP darshan passes worth Rs 2,500 available for devotees arriving by helicopter. An effort is thus being made to provide a separate facility for darshan at the temple for devotees travelling by air.

    Watch this news in video

  • Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela Dates Announced; First Dharmadhwajarohan on 31 October

    Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela Dates Announced; First Dharmadhwajarohan on 31 October

    Nashik: Preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela to be held at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar have reached the final stage, and the Kumbh festival will begin with dharmadhwajarohan at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar on 31 October 2026. There are three major Amrit Snan parvanis in August and September 2027. Devotees coming from across the country can thus plan in advance and partake of these parvanis.

    According to information given by official sources, the dharmadhwajarohan ceremony will be held on 31 October 2026 at Ramkund in Nashik and Kushavarta Tirtha in Trimbakeshwar. After that, the first Amrit Snan will be on 2 August 2027, the second on 31 August 2027, while the third Amrit Snan will be on 11 September in Nashik and 12 September 2027 in Trimbakeshwar.

    Dates of the Three Major Amrit Snans

    The first Amrit Snan will be on 2 August 2027, the second on 31 August 2027. Nashik and Trimbakeshwar have separate dates for the third Amrit Snan. The snan parvani is scheduled on 11 September in Nashik and 12 September 2027 in Trimbakeshwar. Large crowds of devotees are likely at Ramkund and Trimbakeshwar during the parvani period. It will therefore be important to get information in advance about transport, accommodation, routes to reach the bathing places, and changes made from time to time.

    Kumbh Festival Concludes in July 2028

    As per the available schedule, the Simhastha Kumbh Mela will conclude in July 2028. Dhvajavataran (flag-lowering) will be held on 24 July 2028 at Trimbakeshwar and 29 July 2028 at Nashik.