A 1,400-year-old tradition of faith enters a new chapter of modernity; Simhastha Kumbh will promote social harmony
Assurance of assistance to drought-hit farmers while protecting their dignity; President expresses special joy at participating in the grand Godavari aarti
Nashik, October 2026: A legacy of faith spanning thousands of years, a land sanctified by the footsteps of Lord Shri Ram, Trimbakeshwar blessed by the presence of Lord Shiva, and the Godavari River, which flows continuously as a source of devotion for millions of devotees — in this sacred atmosphere, the banks of the Godavari in Nashik resonated with a message of faith, culture and social unity.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed confidence that the upcoming Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela would set a new benchmark by combining environmental conservation, cleanliness, effective waste management and modern infrastructure with this grand confluence of faith. She said the Simhastha Kumbh was not merely a religious event but a celebration of the enduring values of Indian culture.
The President was speaking at the Maha Goda Aarti programme organised at Goda Ghat on the occasion of the sacred religious flag-hoisting ceremony for the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela. She and other dignitaries performed the worship of the Godavari River.
Beginning her address with the Marathi words, “My greetings to the sacred city of Nashik,” the President won the appreciation of the gathering. Paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, she said she was particularly delighted to visit Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan, Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Gulabrao Patil, School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, Marketing and Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal, Tribal Development Minister Prof. Dr Ashok Uike, Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane, Labour Minister Akash Fundkar, Jagadguru Shrimad Ramanandacharya, Jagadguru Narendraacharya Maharaj, Jagadguru Vallabhacharya Maharaj, saints and mahants representing various akharas in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, Mayor Himgauri Adke-Aher, MPs Rajabhau Waje, Bhaskar Bhagare and Dr Shobha Bachhav, among others, were present.
Expressing her sentiments towards Maharashtra, the President said, “The land of Maharashtra is a land of nectar. I offer my countless salutations to this sacred land.”
She said she felt blessed after visiting Trimbakeshwar and highlighted the spiritual significance of the region, which enjoys the sacred presence of Lord Shiva, Nashik's association with the memories of Lord Shri Ram's exile, and the Godavari River, which blesses everyone. She expressed her satisfaction at getting the opportunity to participate in the grand Godavari aarti.
The President said India had a centuries-old tradition of religious and spiritual gatherings, with historical records indicating that people participated in such events with deep faith even around 1,400 years ago. Times and generations had changed, but the current of faith in the hearts of Indians had remained uninterrupted. The Kumbh was not merely a symbol of religious belief but also an occasion that conveyed the message of social unity and positive transformation. She expressed confidence that the forthcoming Simhastha Kumbh would incorporate new dimensions of modernity.
Highlighting Maharashtra's historical and social contributions, Murmu recalled Salher Fort in Nashik district, the birthplace of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, the revolutionary legacy of Abhinav Bharat, the origin of the Godavari River, and the contributions of the Chapekar brothers and Dadasaheb Potnis to the freedom struggle.
She noted that the thoughts and contributions of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Bharat Ratna Dr B.R. Ambedkar had given the country a direction towards social equality, education and transformation.
The President expressed particular happiness that around 6,500 members of tribal communities from 650 villages in the tribal-dominated talukas of Nashik district were participating in the ceremony. She said their participation reflected the unity in diversity that is an integral part of Indian culture.
Observing that India was progressing rapidly and Maharashtra had a significant role in the country's development, she said the state government, under the guidance of the Governor and the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was doing good work.
Referring sensitively to the drought situation in the state, the President said the Central and state governments would extend necessary assistance to drought-affected farmers while safeguarding their honour and dignity. She expressed confidence that the governments would stand firmly behind farmers, the providers of food, during this difficult period.
On the occasion of the Simhastha Kumbh, the President appealed to citizens to protect the environment. She stressed the need to conserve rivers, water resources and natural wealth while giving priority to cleanliness and effective waste management. Everyone must preserve their responsibility towards the environment along with their faith, she said.
Expressing confidence that the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh would bring together spirituality and social unity, tradition and modernity, and faith and environmental conservation, President Droupadi Murmu extended her best wishes to the people for the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027.
May the Grace of Godavari Remove the Shadow of Drought; May Maharashtra Once Again Become Prosperous and Fertile: Governor Jishnu Dev Varma
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma thanked President Droupadi Murmu for attending the sacred religious flag-hoisting ceremony of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela. He said the Simhastha Kumbh was one of India's largest religious gatherings and a grand confluence of faith that connected people through spirituality, transcending caste, religion and social differences.
Highlighting the spiritual significance of Nashik, sanctified by the footsteps of Lord Shri Ram, and the Godavari River, the Governor expressed confidence that the Maharashtra Government would organise the upcoming Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh on a historic and grand scale.
He appealed for special attention to be given to the cleanliness of the Godavari to ensure that the Kumbh was clean, safe and environment-friendly. He also urged social organisations to participate actively in the initiative.
Expressing concern over the drought situation in the state, Governor Varma offered an emotional prayer on the banks of the Godavari: “May the grace of Godavari remove the shadow of drought over Maharashtra, may happiness and prosperity prevail in the lives of farmers, and may the land of Maharashtra once again become prosperous and fertile.”
Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Will Be Transformed Through the Grand Confluence of Indian Culture: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said India's Sanatan culture was eternal and timeless. The Kumbh was a grand confluence of the many expressions and manifestations of this vast culture, which was as limitless as the ocean.
He said the Kumbh Mela, which preserves the tradition of taking a holy dip in the Ganga and Godavari, was not merely a celebration for India but an occasion of faith for devotees across the world.
Expressing happiness over the participation of 6,500 tribal people in the Maha Goda Aarti, Fadnavis said tribal communities had made a valuable contribution to preserving Sanatan culture. He expressed his resolve to make the forthcoming Simhastha Kumbh grand, divine and beautiful while transforming the overall appearance of Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.
The Chief Minister said development projects in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar were being implemented on the ground. The government's role was to create facilities, while the real custodians of the Kumbh were the saints and mahants.
“If the government or administration makes any mistake, the saints and mahants should forgive us with a large heart,” Fadnavis said.
He thanked the people of Nashik for their cooperation in organising the historic event. He also thanked President Droupadi Murmu for attending the religious flag-hoisting ceremony of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh and performing the sacred flag-worship rituals.
Simhastha to Showcase Maharashtra's Cultural Heritage Globally; Rs 35,000 Crore Development Projects to Give Nashik-Trimbakeshwar a New Identity: Deputy CM Eknath Shinde
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said around 12 crore devotees were expected to visit the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh from across the world, and the Maharashtra Government was fully prepared to welcome them.
He said development projects worth approximately Rs 35,000 crore being undertaken in the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar region would not remain limited to the Kumbh Mela but would give a new direction to the future of the entire region.
He expressed the expectation that the event would become an economic festival that generated employment not only for saints, mahants and devotees but also for ordinary workers, while strengthening the local economy.
Shinde expressed confidence that the Simhastha would set an example in cleanliness, environmental conservation and social unity, with the blessings of Lord Shri Ram and the grace of the Godavari.
He said the Simhastha Mahakumbh was not merely a religious festival but a global expression of Maharashtra's rich cultural traditions, respect for women's empowerment and social unity.
He described the religious flag-hoisting ceremonies at Ramteerth in Nashik and Kushavart Tirtha in Trimbakeshwar by President Droupadi Murmu as historic golden moments. He said the ceremony performed by a spiritually devoted woman was also a tribute to the entire women’s community.
He expressed confidence that the Simhastha Kumbh would present to the world a living example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.
Dignitaries Attend the Godavari Aarti
MLAs Suhas Kande, Gokul Gite, Rahul Dhikle, Devyani Pharande, Seema Hire, Saroj Ahire, Dilip Bankar and Manikrao Kokate; Guardian Secretary Eknath Dawale; Divisional Commissioner Dr Praveen Gedam; Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik; Simhastha Kumbh Mela Authority Commissioner Shekhar Singh; Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri; Nashik Metropolitan Region Development Authority Metropolitan Commissioner Jalaj Sharma; District Collector Ayush Prasad; and Deputy Mayor Vilas Shinde were among those present at the Godavari aarti ceremony.
President Inaugurates Kumbh Anthem and Website, Releases Special Commemorative Postage Stamps
On the occasion, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the official Kumbh anthem and website developed by the Simhastha Kumbh Mela Authority.
She also released special postage stamps based on Ramteerth in Nashik and the sacred Kushavart Tirtha in Trimbakeshwar, in connection with the upcoming Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
The special postage stamps were handed over to the President by Ramchandra Jaibhave. Through this initiative, the religious, cultural and historical traditions of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela were highlighted at the national level through commemorative postage stamps.
