President Murmu hoists religious flag to open Nashik Kumbh Mela
President Droupadi Murmu formally launched the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela on Saturday by unfurling the Dharmadhwaja at Ramtirtha.
President Droupadi Murmu hoisted the Dharmadhwaja, or religious flag, at Ramtirtha in Nashik at 12.02 pm on Saturday, marking the formal commencement of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2026, according to The Indian Express.
During the ceremony, the President offered oblations into the Yagnakund, worshipped the Godavari river, and paid respects to the flag. The religious rituals were conducted under the leadership of priest Satish Shukla and Purohit Sangh president Chandrashekhar Panchakshari.
At Trimbakeshwar, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hoisted the flag at Kushavarta Teerth and the Godavari River in the presence of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidhushekhara Bharati of Sringeri Peeth. The Hindu reported that the President also released commemorative stamps based on Ramteerth and Kushavart Teerth.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that the state government is prepared to welcome approximately 12 crore pilgrims. He noted that about Rs 35,000 crore worth of development projects are being implemented in the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar area.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela is scheduled to continue until July 2028. The closing ceremony is listed for July 24, 2028, at Trimbakeshwar and July 29, 2028, at Nashik, making the total period approximately 21 months.