President Droupadi Murmu launched the Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Ramkund in Nashik on October 31, 2026, opening the festival with a flag-hoisting ceremony before crowds of devotees and sadhus.
The grand procession of the holy banner traveled roughly five kilometers from Tapovan to Ramkund on the eve of the presidential inauguration.
The event drew sadhus, mahants, public representatives, and thousands of devotees into the streets. Chants filled the route as the flag chariot made its way through local landmarks including Tapovan Corner, Katya Maruti Chowki, Devi Chowki, Ganesh Wadi, Nehru Chowki, Main Road, Raviwar Karanja, and Malegaon Stand before arriving at the banks of the Godavari River. Traditional music also accompanied the journey.
President Murmu and Chief Minister Fadnavis Lead Ceremonies
The formal inauguration took place at 12:02 p.m. on October 31, 2026, at Ramkund under the leadership of President Droupadi Murmu.
Simultaneously, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the flag-hoisting ritual at the Kushavarta Tirtha in Trimbakeshwar. The ceremonies followed traditional Vedic rituals, including Ganga worship, sacred fire yajnas, and the consecration of the flagpole.
President Droupadi Murmu hoists flag to mark start of Nashik Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela. pic.twitter.com/byUwfhQfIh
Tribal Groups Join the Godavari Aarti
About 6,657 tribal participants drawn from 650 villages and hamlets across the Nashik district joined the opening celebrations. They brought their community’s culture, traditions, and ties to the Godavari River.
The evening culminated in a grand Maha Goda Aarti at 7:00 p.m. on the banks at Ramkund. The ritual brought together heads of thirteen akharas, prominent acharyas, and Jagadgurus alongside the tribal participants to set a world record for collective devotion during the festival’s opening.
🚩Honourable President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, in the presence of Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, performed the puja of the Dwajasthambha and Pavitra Dhwaja, followed by Dharmdhwaj hoisting at Ramkund, Nashik, marking the commencement of the ‘Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Mahakumbh Mela… pic.twitter.com/XzmWhE4PLs
Akharas March With Martial Arts and Chariots
The vibrant opening procession featured chariots carrying religious leaders, including Dharma Samrat Sri Mahant Gyandas Maharaj, Tildwara Gadyacharya Mangalpithadhishwar Sri Sri 1008 Madhavdasji Maharaj, and Jagadguru Srimad Swami Narendracharyaji Maharaj.
More than a thousand volunteers marched alongside to promote environmental conservation awareness, anti-addiction street plays, and blood donation drives. Participants also witnessed traditional martial arts demonstrations, including dhol tasha paths, lejim squads, stick fighting, shield-and-sword displays, and malkhamb performances by akhara disciples.
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President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 2026–28 Simhastha Kumbh Parva by hoisting the Dharmadhwaja at Nashik’s Ramkund at 12:02 pm on Saturday. The grand spiritual festival will continue until July 24, 2028, with its first Amrut Snan scheduled for August 2, 2027. pic.twitter.com/RdIG4X05eQ
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