Stage set for Simhastha Kumbh Mela

Stage is all set for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela at the pilgrim town of Nashik and neighbouring holy tehsil of Trimbakeshwar — where devotees have started coming for the once-in-a-12-year event.

A multi-layered fool-proof security arrangement and traffic movement order is in place.
The Kumbh Mela which starts on June 14 ends on August 11, 2016.

While June 14 will mark the flag hoisting at Ramkund in Nashik and Kushawrat teerth at Trimbakeshwar, August 19 will witness a flag hoisting at Sadhugram. The first shahi-snan or royal bath is scheduled for August 29, the second and the largest shahi-snan will be on September 13 while the third one is on September 18.

More than a lakh administrative and police staff are directly involved in making the arrangements and more than four crore are expected to visit the Kumbh Mela during the year.

“During the main event on September 13, we are expecting 80 lakh to one crore people in a 36 hour cycle,” a senior official of the Maharashtra government told Deccan Herald on Monday.

During the last couple of years, the Centre, Maharashtra Government departments like public works, health, irrigation, energy, home, transport the Nashik Municipal Corporation and Trimbakeshwar Municipal Council has spent close to Rs 2,300 crore for making the arrangements.