NASHIK: Millions of Hindu devotees will join in the first holy dip (first Shahi Snan) of the Kumbh Mela in Godavari at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar on August 29. The administration has made all security arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event that starts at 6 in the morning. Thousands of sadhus and saints of the Vaishnavite sect will take the bath in the ghats in Nashik town while the Shaivites will go to the Trimbakeshwar ghat some 30 km away. They move in colourful processions as per a schedule and the tradition to take the holy dip. The pilgrims will follow.
The procession routes and timings for various akharas have been announced. The royal procession will begin from Tapovan. Police in large numbers and the Rapid Action Force as also bomb detection squads have been deployed as several millions of pilgrims are expected to congregate.
The police have appealed to the public to avoid the three Shahi Snan days to avoid inconvenience and untoward incidents. For the ease of devotees and to handle the crowd of 70-80 lakh people, Prashant Mohite, Additional Superintendent of Police, Nashik (Rural), said the authorities have this time come up with eight more Ghats (five in Nashik and three in Trimbakeshwar). They
are in addition to one each at both the places for the convenience of the pilgrims to easily take holy dip, he said.
The Shahi procession route will be: From Laxmi Narayan temple Tapovan to Digamber Aakhada to Agra Road Tapovan crossing to JK Tyre to Shree Krishna Ice Factory to Ram Ratan Lodge to Katya Maruti Police Chowki to Dnyaneshwar library to Ganeshwadi Devi Chowk Infront of NMC school no.30 to Panchavati Ayurvedic College from the left side of Gadge Maharaj bridge to Gauri Patangan to Mhasoba Patangan (under the bridge of Gadge Maharaj) to Sardar Chowk (Tamboli Pan centre) to Ganga Ghat (passing by) Vegetable Market to Ramkund from Kapaleshwar temple side, to the Holy dip.
The return route will be: Ramkund to Shree Kapaleshwar temple to Parashram Puriya Road to Main Malviya Chowk to Shivaji Chowk to Gajanan Chowk to Gurudwara to left side of Laxman Zula bridge to Katya Maruti chowk to Chavan Battery shop in front of ST Depot No.2 to Hotel Santosh Tea Point to Swami Narayan Police Chowki (on left side of NH3 road) to Bramha Valley to Tapovan Sadhugram.
- The first Mahakumbh Shahi Snan will be on August 29, as Shravan Sudha poornima. The bath will take place at Ramkund in Nashik and Kushavart Trimbakeshwar.
- The second Mahakumbh Shahi Snan will be on September 13 on Shravan Sudha Amavasya. The bath will take place at Ramkund in Nashik and Kushavart in Trimbakeshwar.
- The third Mahakumbh Shahi Snan at Ramkund in Nashik will be on September 18 on Rushi Panchami.
- The third Mahakumbh Shahi Snan at Kushavart in Trimbakeshwar will be on September 25 on Ekadashi.
Marking the start of the Kumbh Mela, in Nashik, the flag hoisting of the main ceremony at Ram Kunda and Akhara at Sadhugram was held on July 14, 2015.
Kumbh Mela is the largest religious congregation in the world. It is held at four places in the country at an interval of 12 years at each of Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nshik. Kumbh means pitcher and Kumbh Mela refers to the immortal pot of nectar obtained after churning the oceans. The Gods and the Demons
fought for its custody and while being flown away, drops fell over the rivers at the four places. Hence the spots gathered sanctity. Hindus believe that a holy dip in the river washes away all their sins.
The administration has also made elaborate accommodation arrangements for the pilgrims.
(SEE: Where to stay)
HOW TO REACH: Nashik is a big city of Maharashtra State, 180 km from Mumbai and 220 km from Pune. It is a tourist and religious place. The nearest airports are at these two places. Nashik is well-connected by train and bus services to all places in the country.
