In Nashik, the Nasik Kumbhmela festival takes place once in 12 years and is happening in 2015. Millions of devotees and pilgrims are attracted from all over the globe. Devotees in millions attend the Kumbh Mela to take a holy dip in the Godavari River. It is believed that the holy dip would cleanse the souls of these people and lead them to salvation. The chief occurrence of the festival is a ceremonial bath at a programmed time and destination.

Only once in 12 years, this Sinhasta Kumbh Mela takes place in the city Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. The Kumbh Mela spins around four sanctified sites where the Amrit of immortality fell on the earth from a pitcher of amrit during the fight between demons and Gods for the amrit. Nasik is one of those four places.

First Shahi Snan day - 29th August 2015

Saturday, 29 August 2015, is the first Shahi Snan day of the Kumbh Mela at Nashik where 25 lakh pilgrims are expected to attend. Flow of pilgrims is expected to rise with many flocking to the city from different parts of India over last few weeks.

According to senior police officials, approximately 5 lakh pilgrims were in the city until Friday. Most of them are residing in various hotels, ashrams and Sadhugrams, etc.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Kumbh) said, "The pilgrims could be anywhere in the region of 24 lakh given the current situation,”

"However, the dynamics of the crowd can change fast and the police are braced to tackle the situation."

Dates of Shahi Snan days

29 August 2015 (Saturday): Shravan Purnima - First Shahi Snan at Ram Kunda
13 September 2015 (Sunday): Bhadrapad Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan/ Main bathing day
18 September 2015 (Friday): Bhadrapad Shukla Panchmi (Rushipanchami) - Third Shahi Snan

-Sumana