Nashik Kumbh Mela 2015
Travel Tips and News Updates for tourists and devotees for Nashik Kumbh Festival

Kumbh Mela Nashik 2015 Road maps, Parking space and Routes for Devotees

Route No.1:- Pligrims coming from Dhule side by Agra Road

Incoming Route:- Pligrims coming from Dhule side by Agra Road will first come to Adgaon outer parking then they will go by walking to Adgaon Truck Terminal and then they will take S.T. Bus and will reach Nilgiri Baug Internal Parking via Hanuman Nagar. Distance:- 9.77 Km.

They will walk from Nilgiri Baug Chaufuli- Pawar Mala-Sanap Dairy-on new bridge to STP filteration plant- Takali Sangam Ghat. They will take holy bath at Takali Sangam Ram Ghat. Distance:- 2.63 Km.

Outgoing Route:- After bathing at Takali Sangam Ram Ghat they will go by Western side ramp — Takali Sangam Bridge new road – Godavari Mangal Karyalay – Jejurkar Mala -Aurangabad Road Mirchi Dhaba Chaufuli – then they will cross Aurangabad Road – and from right side of Aurangabad Road- Nilgiri Baug Internal Parking Distance:- 2.65 Km.

From there by S.T. Bus via Hanuman Nagar they will reach their outer parking Distance:- 9.77 Km.

Route No.2: Pilgrims coming from Aurangabad side

Incoming Route:- Pilgrims coming from Aurangabad will reach to Mad Sangavi Parking area. Also pilgrims coming from Odha Railway Station by railways will also come to Mad Sangavi Parking by S.T. Bus – they will walk from right side to Nandur Naka- and from left side of Shri Sant Janardan Swami bridge they will take holy bath to Nandur Ram Ghat. Distance:- 5.00 Km.

Outgoing Route:- After having bath at Nandur Ram Ghat- from Sulabh Shauchalaya- Mauli Krupa Kirana Stores- Vitthal Rukmini Mandir- Municipal School No.88- Hambare Vasti- Aurangabad Road T Point right side – Mad Sangavi Parking. Distance:- 4.60Km.

nashik-dindori-sectors

Route No.3: Pilgrims coming from Pune/Nashik Road Railway Station by Railway

Incoming Route:- Pilgrims coming from Pune will reach to Chincholi Shivar outer Parking, from Mohgaon Shivar they will take S.T. Bus via Samangaon Road to Internal Parking of Sinnar Phata of Market Yard. Distance:-11.00 Km.

From Sinnar Phata Market Yard- from left side under fly over- Shivaji Statue- Bytco signal from left side- Jail road- ISP Press- left side of Water Tank of Jail Road- Sailani Baba Darga Chowk- they will reached to right side of Shri Sant Swami Janardan Bridge and they will bath at Dasak Ram Ghat. Distance:-5.76Km.

Pilgrims coming by Railways will go to Ram Ghat by route as under:-

1. Pilgrims coming from NashikRoad Railway Station will go to Sinnar Phata and from there left side of Shivaji Statue, they will go to Bytco Chowk.

2. Pilgrims coming to Devi Chowk will go Shivaji Statue Bytco Chowk.

3. Pilgrims coming from Maldhakka Road- and Station wadi will go by Subhash Road to Dr. Ambedkar Statue, Shivaji Statue – Bytco Chowk.

All above pilgrims from Bytco Chowk will go to Dasak Ram Ghat for Holy bath by Jail Road.

Outgoing Route:- After having Holy bath at Dasak Ram Ghat pilgrims will go back by following routes

1. Stepes near Smashan Bhumi Shed- Stepes near Dashkriya Shed- Waman Dada Kardak Smark- from left side of Waman Dada Kardak liabrary they will come to Jail Road.

2. Dashkriya Vidhi Shed- Saitrik India Ltd. Company compound wall to Kapote Niwas Borade Lane- Panchak Gaon Chowk- Vidyaniketan School No.36- Shani Mandir- Adhav Petrol Pump to Jail Road.

3. Panchak Gaon Pumping Station- Municipal Hospital- Shani Mandir- Adhav Petrol Pump To Jail Road.

Above all pilgrims will go by Jail Road to Sailani Baba Darga- Water Tank of Jail Road- Kothari Kanya School- Bytco Signal- In front of Nashik Road Police Satation- ramp of left side of fly over they will reached to Sinnar Phata Market yard Internal Parking Distance:-5.98Km.

From this Internal Parking they will go to Mohgaon/ Chincholi Shivar outer parking by S.T. Bus. Distance:-11.00 Km.

The pilgrims going by Railway will go to Nashik Road Station via Shivaji Statue and Dr.Ambedkar Statue.

Route No.4: Pilgrims coming from Mumbai

Incoming Route:-Pilgrims coming from Mumbai will reach to Rajur Bahula/Vilholi Jain Tample outer parking from there they will take S.T. Bus and via Vilholi fly over- via Bhujbal Farm T poing- to Mahamarg Bus Stand Internal Parking Distance:-11.50 Km.

1.From Mahamard Bus Stand pilgrims will go to- by service road to NCP Office road- Wadala Naka Chauphuli- Sai Muskan Hotel- NDCC Bank-warka Circle Hanuman Temple- Hotel Dwarka- Hotel Mathura-Takali Phata- Ghodeswar Pirbaba Darga- by Takali Road- Shankar Nagar Chauphuli- turn left to Godavari MIDC Road-Patel Tiles- back side of Maruti Farsan-Haji Mithai- they will go on ramp to Lakshmi Narayan Ram Ghat for Holy bath. Distance:-3.00 Km.

2. From Patel Tiles-left side of Scrap Market- Old Maruti wafers Factory- Plastik Factory- left side ramp to Lakshmi Narayan Ram Ghat for Holy bath. Distance:-3.00 Km.

Outgoing Route:- 1. After having Holy bath pilgrims will move to Parina Ice cream road- MSEB Sub Station Road- Godavari MIDC Road-Kothavade Treading Company- Mahamarg S.T. Stand.

2. After having Holy bath pilgrims will move towords Amrut Vinayak Hospital-kashamali Mangal Karyalay-Kothavade Treading Company- Mahamarg S.T. Stand Internal Parking, Mumbai Naka. Distance:-3.00 Km.

Thus the piligrims will take S.T. Bus from Mahamarg S.T. Stand, Mumbai Naka to their outer parking at Rajur Bahula/ Vilholi Jain Temple. Distance:-11.50 Km.

Nashik-mumbai-sectors

 

 

Source: Nashik Kumbh Mela website

Where Shahi Snan will take place during Kumbh Mela 2015 Nashik

Nashik (Nasik)?Kumbh Mela also know as Sinhastha?or Simhastha is special as it doesn’t have large plains to host one of the largest gatherings in the world. Also in this kumbh shaivites and vaishnavites?take holy bath at different places. Main Shahi snan will start from 29th August 2015.

Shaivites?Shahi Snan ceremony will ?take place on Kushavarta kund. There are total 10 Shaiv Akharas who will take bath in three Shahi snan.

 Kushavarta

Vaishnavites?will take a bath in Ram Kund. There are three Vaishnav Akharas

In Year 2015 as per government estimate 50 million devotees will take holy bath in this Kumbh Mela.

For Kumbh Mela Shahi Snan Dates

Nashik Kumbh Mela updates

Fund allocation for Kumbh mela 2015

Apex committee of the state government on the mega event headed by the chief minister has approved Rs 1,052.61 crore for Kumbh plan of the NMC, one-third of the amount i.e., around Rs 350 crore is to be given by the state government, while Rs 350 crore-Rs 400 crore is to be given by the central government. It means that the NMC may get maximum Rs 750 crore from the state and central governments.

During the last Kumbh mela held in 2003-04, the total plan of the district was of Rs 448 crore, including the NMC’s plan of Rs 230 crore, of which the NMC had raised Rs 100 crore on its own.

Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has identified parking areas

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has identified 23 parking areas, including three large ones, in the city in view of the Kumbh mela scheduled in 2015-16.

Traffic management will be a major challenge for the administration as around 75 lakh people are expected to visit the city during the mela, particularly on auspicious days for the holy dip.

 

Maharashtra reserves 58-acre residential area in Tapovan for Sadhugram

The Maharashtra government has approved the change in reservation of 58.48 acres of residential area in Tapovan, Panchavati for the proposed Sadhugram, which would accommodate visiting sadhus for the 2015 Kumbh Mela in Nashik. Around 3 lakh sadhus are expected to visit Nashik during Kumbh 2015.
 

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Widening of Shahi Marg from Tapovan to Ramkund Godavari for Nashik Kumbh 2015

Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has started work of widening shahi marg (from where sadhus will go to banks of Godavari for shahi snan (royal bath or holy dip)).

The width of the existing Shahi Marg (road), which stretches from Tapovan to Godavari via Nag Chowk, Kalaram Temple and Sardar Chowk, varies from 4.5 metres to 6 metres at different locations. In year 2015 more devotees will visit kumbh mela hence city administration is planing to widened road from 9 metres to 15 metres depending on the area.

The proposal of land acquisition presented at the standing committee for the widening project, include the 12-metre road from Panchamukhi Hanuman mandir to Shrikrishna ice factory, 9-metre road from Sardar Chowk to Kalaram Mandir East door, 15-metre road from Kalaram Mandir to Nag chowk to Katya Martuti Chowk and 12-metre road from Ramkund to Malviya Chowk to Katya Maruti – marked in the development plan of the standing committee.

Speaking to TOI, a senior official of the civic body said, “We will send the proposal to the district collector after we get a copy of the resolution on the acquisition of land from the standing committee of the municipal corporation. The district collector will then start the process. The land acquisition and widening of Shahi Marg is expected to take place before the Kumbh mela begins.”

In last kumbh mela in Nashik in year 2003, 29 pilgrims were killed at Sardar chowk on the Shahi Marg in a stampede.

Before the 2003 Kumbh, a new Shahi Marg was created, but which runs parallel to Godavari river from Tapovan to Ramkund.the sadhus refused to take the new route on the grounds that it passed near a cemetery.which is inauspicious. The NMC had apparently not consulted the sadhus before creating the new Shahi Marg.

More Updates coming soon…

Maha Kumbh Mela at Nashik Maharashtra India Year 2015

Nashik Maha Kumbh Mela 2015

Nasik Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela is the most eventful and significant spiritual get-together for Hindus in India. It is held once in every Twelve years. at Four important pilgrim centers take turns to host it. These are Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar. Every 12th year, the Kumbh Mela is held on a grand scale at each above cities. This grand celebration is called Puran Kumbh.

Nashik is the centre for Kumbh in the state of Maharashtra. Millions pilgrims go to the Nasik Kumbh Mela and take a dip in the holy waters of Kushavarta and Ramkund. The Kumbh at Nashik is believed to be the most sacred festival of all.

The Sadhus who visit the Kumbh in large numbers reside in the Tapovan which is situated at the left bank of river Godavari.

Climate In Nashik

The climate in Nasik is pleasant throughout the year except for the summer months from March – Mid June. The summers are very hot and the maximum temperature can go up to 42°C and it is advisable to avoid going to Nasik during this time. Nasik enjoys medium rainfall from June to September and it is a good time to visit. The Winters are from December to February and the climate is pleasant. This is the best time to go there.

Since Nashik is one of the important cities of Maharashtra, it is well-connected by road, rail and by air with all parts of India. It is 185 Kms away from Mumbai and one can reach there via NH-3. Pune is 220 kms. Deluxe and luxury buses are available from Shirdi, Pune, Aurangabad and Mumbai. There are two airports near Nasik – Pune and Mumbai and both are 175 Kms from Nashik. Nasik is well-connected to many cities and towns via railway, since it is one of the important stations of the Central Railway.

The Story behind Kumbh

The holy water Amrit had to be protected from the demons. The demigods hide it at different places namely Patllok, Swargalok and Mrutyulok. They were on the earth (Mrutyulok) for twelve days of demigods which is equal to twelve years of earth for them. The gods stayed on the earth with the Amrut for twelve years. Therefore, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years at four places where drops of Amrut had fallen.
The Kumbh Mela is celebrated depending upon the position of the stars and planets. When Guru (Jupiter) and the Sun are in the zodiac sign Leo(Simha Rashi), the Kumbh is celebrated in Trimbakeshwar, Nasik. When the Sun is in the zodiac sign Aries(Mehsa Rashi), the Kumbh takes place at Haridwar. When Guru(Jupiter) is in the zodiac sign Taurus(Vrishabha Rashi) and the sun is in the zodiac sign Capricorn(Makkar Rashi), it is celebrated at Prayag. When Guru(Jupiter) and the Sun are in the zodiac sign Scorpio(Vrishchik Rashi), it is celebrated at Ujjain.

Shri Shankaracharya had once appealed to his disciples of the Vaidik Dharma to come together at the time of the Sinhastha Kumbha Mela, while he was recognizing the importance of the Kumbha. The devotees and pilgrims along with people from various religions and sects assemble for the kumbha adter following Shri Shankaracharya’s appeal.

The next Kumbh Mela at Nashik will be celebrated in the year 2015. The festival will start on 14th July and will continue for a year.

 

Date-2015 Day Event
14th July 2015 Tuesday Flag hoisting of the main ceremony at Ram Kunda
14th August 2015 Friday Flag hoisting of the Akhara at Sadhugram
29th August 2015 Saturday First Shahi Snan
13th September 2015 Sunday Second Shahi Snan
18th September 2015 Friday Third Shahi Snan

For more information on Kumbh Mela, follow the link to the facebook page  Kumbh Mela

Recent Photos of kumbh mela

Latest Photos of kumbh mela 2013

I have taken these pics on 8th and 9th Feb at various places in kumbh mela. Soon I will upload photos taken on 10th Feb which was the main bathing day.
If you want to share your photos with us please send us through our email, if you have website send us its link for crediting your work and we will also post them on our FaceBook page.

Spirit of Moksha – Kumbh Mela Video

Spirit of Moksha is a self explanatory journey to explore various aspects of largest human gathering on earth i.e Kumbh Mela, 2010, Haridwar. What is this sacred belief and what drives millions of people across the world believe in such a time immemorial event? The relevance of this largest religious festival on earth has stood the test of time and has always remained contemporary. It has evolved out of the need for mankind and still continues to do so by encompassing the humane aspects of purity, truth, unity, gratitude, happiness etc. this finally leads to the divine path developing the spirit of Moksha.

Documentary created by Life Link Movies

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iul1Yd93crw

Most significant days during the Kumbh Festival.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is one of the most sacred festivals and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, great devotion, fervor and gaiety. The time from sunrise to sunset on Makar-Sankranti is very auspicious. A Holy bath during this period carries special significance. Those who take a holy bath in the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri acquire pious credits .

Paush Purnima

The day occurs when the moon is full in the Hindu month of Paush. This is the last full moon of winter. By this time, the sadhu and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims arrive at the Kumbh Mela. By the day, more pilgrims come to attend the festival in buses, trains and on foot. Each day from now on the population of Kumbhnagari (Kumbh City) doubles.

Mauni Amavasya Snan

This day is also referred to as the “New Moon of the Saints.” For the holy men and women, this is the main bathing day. New members to various holy monastic orders receive their first initiation on this day. More than fifty million people bathe in the holy waters during the Mauni Amavasya.

Basant Panchami Snan

This is the fifth day of the luminous half of the lunar month and is the beginning of spring in North India. Traditionally people wear yellow on this day. It is the day when people pray to the gods for a good bumper harvest.

Rath Saptami Snan

Ratha Saptami is a highly auspicious occasion dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God in Hinduism. Lord Surya, depicted riding a chariot driven by seven horses, is worshipped on this day. Rath Saptami festival is observed on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha in the Magh Month (January – February) in the traditional Hindu calendar.

Bhishma Ekadasi Snan

The Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram (thousand names dedicated to Lord Vishnu) was revealed to the Pandavas on this day by Bhishma when the latter was lying in a bed of arrows after the great war of Mahabharata. On this day, Bhishma Pithamaha, the oldest, wisest, most powerful and most righteous person belonging to the Kuru dynasty (approx. over 5000 years ago), narrated the greatness of Lord Krishna through Sri Vishnu Sahasranama to Yudhishtira, the oldest brother of Pandavas.

Description of the city created during the Kumbh Mela

Temporary Kumbh Mela City A huge temporary city is created at the site of the festival for the millions of pilgrims that arrive for the most auspicious bathing days. Kumbh Mela is like a Yogi Convention, where yogis, sadhus (saints), holy people and pilgrims come from all over India. Many sadhus come from various holy places, remote forests and mountain caves in the Himalayas. The most famous of them are the Naga Babas, who are completely naked. Their bodies are smeared in ash and they wear their hair in deadlocks.
It is said that if a person bathes at the confluence (Sangam) of the Ganges, Yamuna and the subterranean Saraswati on one of the main bathing days during Kumbh Mela, he or she attains liberation.  The Vishnu Purana says that one gets greater benefit by bathing during this festival than by performing 1,000 Ashwamedha Yajnas (horse sacrifices) or by circumambulating the earth 100,000 times. It is believed that by bathing at Maha Kumbh, a person is free of all his sins and 88 generations of his or her ancestors are benefited.

The main bathing days are known as ‘Shahi Snan’ or Royal Bathing Days. The main bathing day, which witnesses maximum participation, is on the Mauni Amavasya day (the dark moon). The next main day or the next Shahi Snan is said to be on Vasant Panchami (fifth day of the new moon). Another significant day is on the Bishma Ashtami which is the eighth day of the new moon. For further details please visit Kumbh Mela 2013.

Akharas In Kumbh Mela

What is an Akhara (also akhada)?

An Akhara is a wrestling arena. It is an organization of the different sects of saints, Vairaghis, and yogis who have renounced the world. The history of an Akhara dates back to the circa 2500 BC when Adi Shankaracharya established seven Akharas (perhaps 10 as they are also known as Dasnaami), Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Atal, Avahan, Agni and Anand Akhara.
Akhadas came into existence during the 8th century AD when Adi Shankaracharya established seven Akhadas namely Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Juna, Atal, Avahan, Agni and Anand Akhara with an aim to strengthen the Hindu religion and unite those practicing different rituals, customs and beliefs.
At present, there are 3 major Akharas: Sanyasi, Bairagi and Nirmal and 3 minor Akharas (Atal affiliated with Mahanirvani, Anand affiliated with Niranjani and Avahan affiliated with Juna). Furthermore there is one small Brahmachari Akhara named Agni, affiliated to Juna.

Akharas are divided into different camps according to the concept of God they worship. Shaiva Akharas are for followers of Lord Shiva, Vaishnava or Vairagi Akhara are for followers of Lord Vishnu and Kalpwasis are for followers of Lord Brahma
An Akhara is further divided into 8 davas (divisions) and 52 marhis (centers). Each Marhi performs its spiritual activities under a Mahant. The central administrative body of the Akhara is Shree Panch (the body of five), representing Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva. Shaktiand and Ganesha.
The five-member body governing an Akhada is elected during every Kumbh Mela for a period of 4 years.
The biggest Akhara – computed by the number of the Saints in it – is Juna, then Niranjani and then Mahanirvani. The head of an Akhara is regarded as Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, followed by other Mahamandaleshwaras, Mandaleshwaras and Shree Mahants.
On the main bathing dates, a colorful and magnificent procession of radiant saints sitting on chariots and elephants is witnessed by thousands of Kumbh visitors. These sadhus, belonging to various camps take a dip in the holy Ganges first and only then the ordinary pilgrims are allowed to take bath in the river.
During the Kumbh Mela, the ceremonial procession of the Naga Sanyasis believed to be an auspicious sight has all the trappings of royalty. The Mahant is seated on a silver throne placed upon a caparisoned elephant. Around him are hundreds of Naga ascetics on foot, wielding lances, their naked bodies smeared with ash. Camels and Horses are also part of this procession which signifies the old Hindu organization of the Chaturanga sena, or four-limbed army, moving towards the holy waters of the Ganges.However, Mahanirvani Akhara is one of the most important of all and it is normally the first to take the ‘Shahi Snan’. Their praveshai (entry) and subsequent bath in the Holy Ganga officially marks the beginning of the Maha Kumbh.

During the ‘Shahi Snan’ thousands of devotees assemble near the road sides to get a glimpse of the procession of ascetics parading amidst tight security as they make their way to the Ghats.

List of the Main Akharas:

  1. Juna Akhara
  2. Niranjani Akhara
  3. Mahanirvani Akhara

Others Akharas:
Akhadas of Sanyasi:

  1. Shri Taponidhi Niranjani Akhada Panchayati
  2. Shri Panchayati Anand Akhada
  3. Shri Panchadashnam Juna Akhada
  4. Shri Panch Ahvan Akhada
  5. Shri Agni Akhada
  6. Shri Panchayat Akhada Mahanirvani
  7. Shri Panch Atal Akhada

Akharas of Bajrangi

  1. Shri Nirvani Akhada
  2. Shri Digambar Akhada
  3. Shri Nimrohi Akhada

Akharas of Nirmal

  1. Shri Panchayati Akhada
  2. Shri Udasin Panchayati Naya Akhada
  3. Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhada
naga's at kumbh mela

Naga Sadhus at Kumbh Mela