31 October 2026
Dhwajarohan - Flag hoisting
The ceremonial flag hoisting at Ramkund at 12:02 PM marks the formal commencement of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The Mela period officially begins.
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Pillar 1 of 7 · Dates & Schedule
Three Amrit Snans. Ten Parva Snans. A 21-month window from the flag-hoisting to the close. Here is the complete, verified calendar.
The Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 is not a single day - it is a 21-month observance running from the Dhwajarohan (flag hoisting) on 31 October 2026 to the Dhwajavataran (flag lowering) on 24 July 2028. Within that window, three principal Amrit Snan dates draw the largest crowds. This page lays out every significant date, what it means, and how to plan around it.
First Amrit Snan in
Sunday, 1 August 2027
First Amrit Snan
These are the royal bathing days - the spiritual peak of the Mela, when the Akharas process to the sacred waters in ritual order.
The term Amrit Snan (nectar bath) was officially adopted by the Maharashtra Government in 2025, replacing the older term Shahi Snan. On these three days, the Akharas - the orders of ascetic monks - lead processions to the bathing sites at appointed times, followed by the millions of lay pilgrims. If you can only attend one day, it should be one of these three.
The 31 August peak day draws the largest crowds and the steepest accommodation surge. Hotels within walking distance of Ramkund book out four months ahead. Compare verified options before prices climb.
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From flag-hoisting to flag-lowering - the complete arc of the Simhastha observance.
Three pillars to explore next.
31 October 2026
The ceremonial flag hoisting at Ramkund at 12:02 PM marks the formal commencement of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The Mela period officially begins.
Nov 2026 - Jul 2027
Infrastructure completion, Akhara arrivals, and the first of the minor bathing days. Crowds build gradually. A good window for pilgrims who want to avoid the peak rush.
2 August 2027 - Monday
The first royal bath at Ramkund. Vaishnava Akharas lead the procession. The bathing season formally opens.
31 August 2027 - Tuesday
The principal bathing day. The single largest gathering of the entire Mela. All Akharas process. Peak crowds, peak congestion, peak significance.
11-12 September 2027
Vaishnava Akharas at Ramkund on the 11th; Shaiva Akharas and Naga Sadhus at Kushavarta Kund, Trimbakeshwar on the 12th. The closing royal baths.
Sep 2027 - Jul 2028
The Mela period continues with ongoing rituals, smaller bathing days, and Akhara departures through the following months.
24 July 2028
The ceremonial flag lowering marks the formal close of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The next Nashik Kumbh will be in 2039.
Secondary bathing days of religious merit - less crowded, still significant.
Beyond the three Amrit Snans, the Mela calendar includes several Parva Snans - auspicious bathing days tied to specific tithis and festivals. These draw smaller crowds and are ideal for pilgrims who want the spiritual experience without the peak-day density. The exact dates are confirmed against the Panchang; we update this table as the Mela Authority issues official confirmations.
Provisional dates - verify against official Mela Authority announcements closer to the dates.
| Occasion | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Guru Purnima | Jul 2027 | Honouring spiritual teachers; opens the principal season |
| Ashadh Amavasya | 2 Aug 2027 | First Amrit Snan (also a principal day) |
| Nag Panchami | Aug 2027 | Serpent worship; significant at Trimbakeshwar |
| Shravan Amavasya | 31 Aug 2027 | Main Amrit Snan (principal day) |
| Shravan Purnima | Aug 2027 | Raksha Bandhan; auspicious bathing |
| Bhadrapada (Shaiva) | 12 Sep 2027 | Third Amrit Snan at Kushavarta Kund |
| Pithori Amavasya | Sep 2027 | Closing-season bathing merit |
It depends on what you want - the peak spectacle, or a calmer darshan.
For the full spectacle and maximum spiritual merit: the 31 August Main Amrit Snan. Expect the largest crowds in living memory, intense logistics, and an experience of collective devotion at a scale found nowhere else on earth. Book everything months ahead.
For the Naga Sadhu processions specifically: the 12 September Shaiva Amrit Snan at Kushavarta Kund, Trimbakeshwar. The Shaiva Akharas, including the dramatic Naga ascetics, bathe here. Stay overnight in Trimbakeshwar to avoid road congestion.
For a calmer, less crowded pilgrimage: any of the Parva Snan dates, or the early-period window from November 2026 to July 2027. You still bathe in the sacred waters during the Mela, with a fraction of the crowd density. Ideal for elderly pilgrims, families with young children, or anyone who finds large crowds difficult.