Nashik Begins Cultural Countdown to Simhastha Kumbh
Nashik has begun its cultural preparations for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 with the launch of the three-day Kumbh Bhakti Sangam.
The festival, organised by the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority, will take place from 28 to 30 August 2026 at Thakkar Dome along the Trimbak Road.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is scheduled to inaugurate the festival on Friday evening. The event brings together devotional traditions, music and cultural performances from different parts of India on a common platform.
Key Highlights
- Kumbh Bhakti Sangam: 28–30 August 2026
- Venue: Thakkar Dome, Nashik
- Inauguration: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
- Entry is free, with no ticket or pass required.
- The festival features devotional traditions from Maharashtra, Punjab and Manipur.
Devotional Traditions From Across India
The festival is designed to showcase the diversity of India's devotional traditions while highlighting the common spiritual connection shared by different communities.
Maharashtra's kirtan and Abhangwari traditions will be presented alongside Gurbani Shabad Kirtan from Punjab and Nat Sankirtan from Manipur.
The opening day will feature a kirtan by Amritashram Swami Maharaj, followed by singer Rahul Deshpande's Abhangwari performance.
Three Days of Music and Spiritual Programmes
The second day, 29 August, will focus on a Bhakti Sammelan, with discussions centred on India's saint traditions, social harmony and the role of saint traditions at a national level. Kirtan and devotional music performances will follow the discussions.
On 30 August, the programme will feature Gurbani Shabad Kirtan by Bhai Maninder Singh Hazuri Ragi from Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, followed by Manipur's Nat Sankirtan. The festival will conclude with a kirtan by Nivrutti Maharaj Indurikar.
Free Entry for Visitors
The organisers have announced that no entry fee, ticket or pass is required for the festival. Residents of Nashik, pilgrims, students and cultural enthusiasts have been invited to attend the programmes at Thakkar Dome.
Parking, traffic and crowd-management arrangements are also being coordinated for visitors, particularly for the evening programmes when larger crowds are expected.
The Kumbh Bhakti Sangam marks an early cultural milestone in the build-up to Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027, bringing different Indian devotional traditions together in Nashik ahead of the main pilgrimage festival.