Nashik, Oct 31: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday performed the ‘dhwajarohan’ (flag hoisting) ceremony to mark the commencement of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
She hoisted the religious flag after performing rituals at Ramkund on the banks of the Godavari river in the presence of Maharashtra Governor Jishnudev Varma, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar as well as senior officials.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hoisted the traditional flag at a parallel ceremony in Trimbakehswar at 12:02 pm.
The rituals at Ramkund were performed by Purohit Sangh president Chandrashekhar Panchakshari and Simhastha Committee main trustee Satish Shukla. The CM hoisted the flag in Trimbakeshwar in the presence of Shrungeri Peeth Shankaracharya Vidhushekhar Bharti.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela Mahadhwaj Gram Parikrama took place on Friday. The ‘parikrama’ started from Tapovan Maidan, proceeded to Ramtirth Panchavati in the presence of saints-mahants and thousands of devotees, and concluded at Ramkund.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which started on Saturday, will culminate 21 months later on July 24, 2028.
The first ‘amrut snan’ will take place on August 2 next year on Ashadh Somvati Amavasya. The second will be on August 31 on Shravan Amavasya, while the third will be on September 11 on Bhadrapad Shuddha Ekadashi.
While the September 11 ‘amrut snan’ is traditionally observed by Vaishnav Akhadas, the Shaiv Akhadas will take part in the ritual a day later.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela will conclude on February 27, 2028 in Trimbakeshwar, and in Ramkund on July 24, 2028.
Incidentally, the ancient Shri Ganga Godavari temple at Ramkund opened on Saturday after 11 years to coincide with the commencement of the Kumbh Mela.
After the ‘dhwajarohan’ (flag hoisting) ceremony, President Murmu went to Trimbakeshwar to perform rituals and meet the sadhu-mahants of the Shaiv Akhadas. She will then return to Nashik again and attend the ‘Goda Aarti’ at Ramkund.
As many as 6,657 tribals will perform the ‘Goda Aarti’ in her presence with the aim of setting a world record, officials said. (PTI)
