Latest news with #KumbhMela
India Gazette
9 hours ago
- General
- India Gazette
In a spiritual shift, Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 to replace 'Shahi Snan' with 'Amrit Snan'
Nashik (Maharashtra) [India], June 1 (ANI): The upcoming Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 will witness a significant traditional change, as the age-old practice of 'Shahi Snan' or royal bath will be replaced with 'Amrit Snan' for the first time. This decision was taken during a meeting of the Akhara Parishad and the Kumbh Mela organisers with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nashik on Sunday. 'The Kumbh Mela is held at four locations across the country Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik and it takes place based on where the drops of Amrit fell. The term Shahi Snan was introduced during the Mughal era. Therefore, this tradition is now being changed, and the Shahi Snan will henceforth be referred to as Amrit Snan. This decision was taken after discussions during a meeting between all 13 Akharas and the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nashik,' Mahant Bhakti Charan Das, spokesperson of All India Vaishnav Akhara told ANI. The move aims to infuse the event with a deeper spiritual and religious essence, steering it away from the display of grandiosity and power. Saints from various Akharas have stressed that the bathing ritual should symbolize spiritual discipline rather than royal pageantry. 'Referring to the sacred bath as 'Amrit Snan' aligns more closely with the true purpose of the event,' said Mahant Bhakti Charan Das. According to Hindu beliefs, bathing during the Kumbh Mela cleanses one of all sins. The name 'Amrit Snan' draws from the mythological tale of the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), where drops of divine nectar--Amrit--were believed to have fallen at the Kumbh sites, including Nashik. The Akharas view 'Amrit Snan' as a return to the festival's spiritual roots, ensuring the focus remains on devotion, penance, and salvation rather than spectacle. Earlier today, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said preparations have been underway following discussions with chiefs of various Akharas ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 in Nashik. 'A meeting was organised in relation to the Kumbh Mela of Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, in which the 13 major Akharas were also present. We discussed the event in the presence of all the Mahants, saints, priests... This time the fair is going to be long, so people will get to see many important 'Amrit Snan' dates and holy festivals...,' CM Fadnavis told reporters here. He also said that the government has come up with a plan to ensure the cleanliness of the Godavari River.'A plan has also been prepared to ensure that our Godavari Maa flows clean and uninterrupted... Works worth Rs 2,000 crores are in the pipeline. Overall, preparations have been made here so that a divine and grand fair is held,' CM Fadnavis said. The Nashik Kumbh, one of the largest religious gatherings in India, is held once every 12 years, where devotees come to take a holy bath on the banks of the Godavari River. The Maharashtra government is focused on ensuring smooth arrangements, including sanitation, security, and infrastructure development. Key decisions are expected to be finalized in the coming months. (ANI)
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Local units to decide on civic poll alliances: Raut
Nashik: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP on Sunday announced that the decision regarding whether to contest the upcoming civic body elections in Maharashtra as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) or independently will be made at the local level. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking to the reporters in Malegaon, Raut affirmed the party's preparedness for the upcoming civic polls. He added that senior party leaders are currently touring various parts of the state where these elections are slated to be held, engaging with local party office-bearers. "We are prepared for the coming civic polls. The local leaders in respective municipal corporations will decide whether to contest upcoming civic polls as MVA or contest independently," the official said. Alleging that the Mahayuti ruling partners in the state won the state assembly polls by managing EVMs and using money power, Raut said the BJP delayed the civic polls in the state as it was not sure of winning. "However, the civic polls are now being held in the coming few months as per the directive of the Supreme Court," the MP said. Raut also criticised CM Devendra Fadnavis for holding Kumbh Mela meeting in Nashik on Sunday. "Kumbh Mela was held recently at Prayagraj. Instead of keeping people stuck in the Kumbh Mela, the CM should come and see the roads of Malegaon. He should work in Maharashtra. Kumbh Mela minister Girish Mahajan is efficient enough to carry out the preparations," Raut said.
Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela will start from Oct 2026
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Nashik will commence from October 31, 2026. The religious event in the pilgrimage temple town Trimbakeshwar in district Nashik will be of longer duration concluding on July 28, 2028. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday held a meeting with religious/ spiritual leaders/ groups on plans and preparations for the kumbh mela. Talking to the media after the meeting in Nashik, Fadnavis said, 'We are making elaborate plans and ensuring there is no stampede. All the necessary infrastructure and amenities including giving adequate space and opportunity to devotees for holy bath on important days are being well planned and considered. The kumbh mela is a very sacrosanct and we want to make it on a grand scale keeping pilgrims' comforts.' The state government has already issued tenders worth Rs 4000 crore for preparations. In addition Rs 2000 crore more will be issued, he revealed. As part of the preparations, Fadnavis said they discussed keeping Godavari's riverbanks clean and to ensure adequate flow of water, along with other civic issues ,like sewage treatment plants, transportation facilities, crowd management, etc. The Kumbh Mela will go on for a longer duration which will help in better crowd dispersal and management. Given the space restrictions in some of the river banks during important dates, where devotees throng for holy dip, Fadnavis said they would take all measures to avoid stampedes. The Simhastha Kumbh Mela will begin on October 31, 2026 with 'Dhwajarohan' (flag hoisting) at Trimbakeshwar as well as Ramkund and Panchvati and will be underway till July 24, 2028. On 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 the last one will be held in Nashik on September 11, 2027 and on September 12, 2027 at Trimbakeshwar. The flag will be taken down on July 24, 2028, which will mark the conclusion of Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which is held once in 12 years. Fadnavis said the meeting was attended by seers of all 13 main 'akhadas' and representatives of the Purohit Sangh. At the meeting, details were provided on the works being carried out by the state government for organising the mega event which is among the largest in the world, Fadnavis added. 'The work on the sewage treatment plant (STP), cleaning of Godavari river and land acquisition for 'Sadhugram' are in progress as well,' Fadnavis said. 'It is our endeavor to make Simhastha Kumbh Mela memorable and spiritual enriching. We are leaving no stone unturned. We urge devotees not to rush. As there will be a lot of time for everybody's participation in Nashik kumbh mela,' said Fadnavis.
United News of India
13 hours ago
- Health
- United News of India
Maha: Fadnavis inaugurates ‘Chakra' at MUHS in Nashik
Nashik, Jun 1 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday performed foundation stone laying and inauguration ceremony of the Center of Excellence 'Chakra' (Centre for Health, Applied Knowledge & Research Autonomy) at the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences here. Speaking at the function, he asserted that the health system will get a new shape only due to experiments like 'Chakra' of the Health University. He asked the universities to work as centres of various subjects and stressed on making efforts to strengthen health education and services in the state. Health universities have been established as 'hubs' through 'Centres of Excellence', while medical colleges will continue to function as 'spokes', he said and pointed that universities are expected to do exemplary work by acting as guides to other institutions. The university should focus more on genetic health and socially useful research through 'Chakra', which will be useful to the common citizens, he said. Fadnavis further said that according to the concept of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, employment-oriented models should be implemented through the 'National Education System' that are beneficial to the society and the country and urged educational institutions to make efforts to give priority to startups. In the next few years, the government will try to implement health services in rural areas as 'hub and spoke', he said and added that the government will provide appropriate support to the university for the Digital Kumbh and Health Kumbh projects as the Kumbh Mela will be held in Nashik. Speaking at the same programme, vice chancellor of the university Lieutenant General (retired) Madhuri Kanitkar said that a Centre of Excellence has been set up at the University of Health Sciences to enhance health services in the state. To enhance the quality of health science courses, the Department of Medical Education has launched the 'Chakra' company through the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences to provide quality and affordable health services to the citizens of the state, she added. UNI RDS SS
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Simhastha Kumbh Mela to begin in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar on Oct 31 next year
Nashik/Mumbai, The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar 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, 2027. The much-awaited 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 congregation. The Simhastha Kumbh Mela will begin on October 31, 2026, with 'Dhwajarohan' at Trimbakeshwar and Ramkund in Nashik. On 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 Trimbakeshwar. The 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 years. The previous Simhastha Kumbha Mela was held at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in the year 2015-16. The Kumbh Festival is traditionally held at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, Prayag , Haridwar, and Ujjain. Ardh Kumbh is held at Prayag and Haridwar after every six years. The Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Kumbh is unique as Vaishnav Akhadas and Shaiva Akhadas bath separately here. Fadnavis said the meeting was attended by seers of all 13 main "akhadas" and representatives of the Purohit Sangh. He 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 world. "Tenders of works costing ₹4000 crore have been issued. Tenders for another set of works entailing expenditure of ₹2000 crore will also be issued soon. Work on the sewage treatment plant , cleaning of Godavari river and land acquisition for 'Sadhugram' are in progress as well," Fadnavis told reporters. On crowd control and management to ensure there is no stampede-like 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 visits. "The government is making every effort to make Simhastha Kumbh Mela a memorable and very well-planned affair," Fadnavis asserted. He 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 Pradesh. "Maharashtra 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 devotees. He said since Kumbh Mela symbolises the ancient Indian culture, it draws attention from across the world. "With everyone's cooperation, a magnificent and memorable event will be organised that will leave the world in awe," Fadnavis added. The processions and spiritual direction of Kumbh are led by akharas , sadhus, and mahants, while the state government's role is to serve and provide the best possible amenities. The chief minister assured excellent facilities by the government and accommodating the feedback of sadhus and mahants for better planning. "Unlike 2015, when there was little preparation time, this time, with ample lead time, the government is aiming for thorough preparation," he said. Noting 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 river. "Efforts 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 said. He 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 out. "Quality infrastructure will be set up in both Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, with no shortage of funds," the Chief Minister's Office stated in a release. He emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of devotees by prioritising security measures during planning. Highlighting heritage development, the Chief Minister announced a development plan of ₹681 crores for Choundi, the birthplace of Ahilyadevi Holkar. The ghats constructed by her are also being preserved. Additionally, 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 Sharma. Nashik 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 hills. The Kumbh Mela is the world's largest public gathering and collective act of faith. This congregation, primarily, includes ascetics, saints, sadhus, sadhvis, and pilgrims from all walks of life. The Maha Kumbh Mela was organised at Prayagraj on the banks of the confluence of three rivers in January-February this year.
