Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri Peeth and saints attend the ceremony
Trimbakeshwar, October 2026: The Simhastha Kumbh Mela festivities began auspiciously in Trimbakeshwar on Saturday with the ceremonial hoisting of the religious flag near the sacred Kushavarta Tirtha and the Godavari River. The ceremony was held amid Vedic chants, conch-shell sounds and the presence of saints and seers.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidhushekhar Bharati of Sringeri Peeth were present for the flag-hoisting ceremony, which formally marked the commencement of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela period.
After arriving at Kushavarta Tirtha in the morning, Chief Minister Fadnavis welcomed the assembled saints and religious leaders. He also welcomed Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidhushekhar Bharati.
The ceremony began with the traditional worship of the sacred Godavari River. Priests offered prayers and recited Vedic hymns in praise of the river, followed by the sankalp ritual. Prayers were offered for the happiness, peace, prosperity and well-being of all living beings.
The worship began with the invocation of Lord Ganesha, seeking his blessings for the smooth conduct of all religious rituals and arrangements during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. Priests invoked the deities through Vedic chants and sought their permission for the flag-hoisting ceremony. Prayers to the Godavari and collective worship created a deeply devotional atmosphere.
Ceremonial worship of the flagstaff and religious flag
Chief Minister Fadnavis performed the ceremonial worship of the flagstaff, followed by the worship of the religious flag and its pennants. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidhushekhar Bharati also offered prayers to the religious flag.
The ceremony was attended by MLA Hiraman Khoskar, Trimbakeshwar Municipal Council President Triveni Tungar, Special Inspector General of Police Sanjay Ainpure, District Collector Ayush Prasad, Chief Executive Officer Omkar Pawar, Superintendent of Police Dr S. Swami, Sub-Divisional Officer Pawandatta, Tehsildar Ganesh Jadhav, Chief Officer Govind Jadhav, Amol Chaudhary and several saints and religious leaders.
Flag hoisting marks the beginning of Simhastha
The entry of Jupiter into Leo is considered an important astrological event in the tradition of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. Against this backdrop, the hoisting of the religious flag holds special significance and marks the formal beginning of the Simhastha period.
The religious flag is regarded as a symbol of the ancient traditions of the Kumbh, the sanctity of the Godavari and the faith associated with the pilgrimage.
Auspicious symbols on the Simhastha flag
The Simhastha religious flag features several sacred and astrological symbols, including the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, lion, crocodile, Om, Swastika and bells. Each symbol carries religious significance and is associated with mythological traditions.
The Sun and Moon are believed to be connected with the protection of the nectar pot, while Jupiter and the lion represent the astrological timing of Simhastha. The crocodile symbolises the pilgrimage traditions associated with the Godavari. Om and the Swastika convey spirituality, auspiciousness and well-being.
The twelve bells, ten directions and the sacred seed syllable ‘Hreem’ on the flag also hold special religious and symbolic significance.
Together, these symbols reflect the ancient traditions of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela and the cultural and spiritual heritage of Trimbakeshwar.
Ceremony concludes amid chants and prayers
Following the worship of the religious flag, priests sounded conch shells and performed its aarti. Jagadguru Shankaracharya and Chief Minister Fadnavis then circumambulated the flag and offered prayers to Lord Trimbakeshwar.
The flag-hoisting ceremony concluded amid Vedic chants, conch-shell sounds and religious slogans, in an atmosphere of devotion and celebration. Saints, seers and devotees gathered for the occasion witnessed the sacred ceremony.
Aarti was subsequently performed for the holy Godavari River. The flag-hoisting ceremony, which holds a special place in Trimbakeshwar’s religious traditions, showcased the spiritual and cultural grandeur of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
