Key Points

The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years, with the next event scheduled for 2027. The bill titled Nahik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority Act 2025 has been crafted similarly to enactments made by Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh for managing and organizing the Kumbh Mela in those states.

In 2015, about 2.50 crore pilgrims participated in the Kumbh Mela held in Nashik. The number of attendees is expected to increase in the upcoming event, resulting in enormous management challenges, the bill stated. It further added that over time, the scale and attendance of the Kumbh Mela have increased significantly.

“Hence, a need was felt for the establishment of an Authority comprising certain officials of the relevant government departments for the seamless organisation and management of Kumbh Mela in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar talukas and other areas in Nashik division. This will help provide facilities and also ensure a safe, secure, and incident-free environment that offers a fulfilling spiritual and touristic experience to all participants including Sadhus, Mahants, pilgrims, tourists, and local residents,” said the bill.

The Authority will have powers to prepare a Kumbh Mela plan containing tasks, projects, works, or procurement necessary for the management of Kumbh Mela and allied activities. The Authority Chairperson will give directions to government departments and various authorities for organizing Kumbh Mela, requisition services, facilities, resources, premises, or vehicles to provide amenities. The Authority will also have the power to constitute a committee of ministers to review its work from time to time.

The Authority will be empowered to make emergency provisions for procurement, construction, and accounting in case of an emergency or disaster. Besides, it will have the power to grant permission to any person or company to carry on a profession or trade and for the layout of a new temporary city or township in the Kumbh Mela area.

Earlier, the Maharashtra government released the schedule for the upcoming Nashik Kumbh Mela and Amrit Snan (holy dip) scheduled in 2027. As per the schedule, the Simhastha Flag Hoisting ceremony will take place on October 31, 2026, at 12:02 PM (Location: Ramkund Panchavati). The Pratham Amritsnan is set for Monday, August 2, 2027 (Ashadh Somvati Amavasya), Mahakumbhasnan/Second Amritsnan on August 31, 2027, and Shravan Amavasya along with Tritiya Amritsnan on September 11, 2027 (Bhadrapada Shuddha Ekadashi). The Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela will also take place on the same dates.

All days of Ekadashi, Pournima, Amavasya, and Vaidhriti Vyatipat Yoga during the Simhastha Parva period in Nashik will be pilgrimage and darshan parvas for devotees. In addition to the three main parvas in Kumbh Mela 2027 in Nashik, there are a total of 44 Muhurtas for Parvasnana and 53 Muhurtas for Parvasnana at Trimbakeshwar, said the government release.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that all efforts will be made through the state government to ensure that the Kumbh Mela is held in a safe, clean, and holy environment. “All kinds of facilities will be provided to the devotees coming for the Kumbh Mela. Funds will be made available for this. Since the Kumbh Mela is a symbol of Indian Sanatan culture, the attention of the whole world is on it. Therefore, with the cooperation of everyone, a grand, divine and memorable event will be organised that will amaze the world,” he assured.

- IANS