The Simhastha Kumbh Mela formally began in Nashik on Saturday after President Droupadi Murmu hoisted the Dharma Dhwaja at Ramkund, where water was restored to the Godavari stretch following nearly three months of riverfront infrastructure work.
The ceremony took place shortly after devotees began arriving at the historic ghats in large numbers. By the time the President reached Ramkund shortly after 11 am, the riverfront was crowded with pilgrims, flowers and ceremonial decorations. Conch shells, temple bells and Vedic chants filled the area as devotees gathered at vantage points around the ghats.
Water once again flowed through Ramkund, Laxman Kund and Sita Kund after a release from Gangapur dam. The stretches had remained largely dry while infrastructure works were carried out along the riverfront. The restored flow brought back the familiar view of the Godavari passing the flower-decked ghats and temples ahead of the pilgrimage’s main activities.
Preparations for the ceremony began the previous night, with decorative lighting installed around temples and ghats. Floral arrangements were placed near the ceremonial area, while tableaux depicting Samudra Manthan were displayed for visitors. Security barricades and checkpoints were set up along approach roads as authorities managed movement around the crowded riverfront.
The ceremony included rituals at a yagya kund and worship of the Godavari and the ceremonial flag. At exactly 12.02 pm, President Murmu hoisted the Dharma Dhwaja on the 51-foot Dhwajstambh. Sadhus, mahants, devotees and dignitaries watched as the flag was unfurled above the river, formally announcing the beginning of the once-in-12-years pilgrimage.
The event also drew visitors from outside Nashik and India. James Harper, a tourist from England who had been in Mumbai, said he travelled to Nashik after learning about the flag-hoisting ceremony. He described the arrangements as organised and said movement remained smooth despite the large crowd.
Devotees also gathered around performers associated with the Shri Ram Seva Samiti. Gaurav Pandey and Vaishnavi Atram, both 24, attended the event dressed as Lord Ram and Sita. Pandey said devotees stopped them for photographs, touched their feet and sought blessings during major religious events.
The reopening of the riverfront’s visible water channels provided an important backdrop to the start of the festival after months of construction activity and dry ghats. The ceremony concluded as crowds began dispersing from Ramkund, while security arrangements and access controls remained in place around the riverfront.
