President Murmu invited to Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela with 3D pop-up card

A high-level delegation of the state government on Wednesday invited President Droupadi Murmu to the Simhastha Kumbh Mela to be held at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar. The delegation, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, called on her at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The religious festival will begin with a grand flag-hoisting ceremony on October 31, which the President is to attend.

The invitation has been designed specially for the event. It features a three-D pop-up artwork that unfolds by itself as the box is opened. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Cabinet colleagues and senior administrative officers.

The invitation has been created around a distinctive artistic concept. The three-D artwork inside reflects the mythological background, spiritual essence and grandeur of the historic fair. The design is meant to awaken all five senses, sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch, at once. It celebrates Nashik's cultural heritage, the sanctity of the Godavari river and the timeless importance of the Kumbh Mela in Indian tradition.

Along with the invitation, the Chief Minister also presented the President with a special gift box of local products. It reflects the state's varied small economies, and includes ancient spiritual traditions, sustainable tribal entrepreneurship, textiles and local food culture.

The box holds certified products of Shabari Naturals of the Tribal Development Department. These include organic incense sticks, millet-based foods, mahua flower products, hand-woven bamboo items and pure wild honey. The products reflect the traditional knowledge of forest-dwelling communities, and they promote the economic empowerment of tribal artisans.

The gift box contains an authentic silk Paithani sari brought directly from Yeola, regarded as the pinnacle of Maharashtra's traditional weaving heritage. The rich agriculture of the Nashik region is represented by black raisins and organic cashew nuts. Famous Nashik chivda, a symbol of the city's food culture, local sweets and a selection of dry fruits are also included.

The delegation included Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Water Resources and Kumbh Mela Minister Girish Mahajan, School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse and Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal. Nashik Mayor Himgauri Adke-Aher and Trimbak Municipal Council President Triveni Tungar were also present at the meeting.

Among the religious and administrative heads were Nashik Purohit Sangh president Chandrashekhar Panchakshari, Trimbakeshwar Purohit Sangh president Manoj Thete, Simhastha Kumbh Mela Authority chairman Dr Praveen Gedam and Kumbh Mela Commissioner Shekhar Singh.

The October 31 programmes will include a grand Goda Aarti on the banks of the Godavari. The upgraded website of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority will be formally inaugurated. The official Kumbh Mela song and a special coffee-table book for collectors will be released. India Post will also issue a specially designed commemorative postage stamp on the Kumbh Mela.