Chief Minister Fadnavis hoists flag at Trimbakeshwar to mark start of Simhastha Kumbh Mela

Nashik: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the flag-hoisting ceremony, regarded as the start of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, with his own hands. He hoisted the flag at the event held at Trimbakeshwar.

A day earlier, on Friday evening, a grand Simhastha gram parikrama was flagged off by Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Dakshinpeeth, Naneejdham. Held against the backdrop of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, the procession began in an atmosphere of enthusiasm. It passed through the main roads of the city for about four hours, and the people of Nashik turned out in large numbers to watch it.

The parikrama, organised ahead of the Maha Dhwajarohan ceremony, had 126 groups taking part. Tableaux showing the cultural, religious and social traditions of Maharashtra and different parts of the country were a special attraction.

The chariots of several saints and mahants were also part of the parikrama, giving the procession a religious character. They included the chariots of Jagadguru Shrimad Ramanandacharya Narendracharyaji Maharaj, Dharmasamrat Dnyandasji Maharaj, Shrimahant Rajendra Dasji Maharaj of the Panch Nirmohi Ani Akhara and Shri Mahant Muralidasji of the Shri Panch Nirvani Ani Akhara. The chariots of Shrimant Vaishnav Das Ji Maharaj and Shrimant Madhav Daji Maharaj of the Shri Panch Digambar Akhara, and of Shrimant Mohandas Ji Maharaj of the Khaki Akhara, also accompanied the procession. The chariots of many other saints and mahants were also in the procession.

Vedic chanting, Warkari bhajans, tableaux of the saint tradition, Ram Panchayatan and the Amrutkumbh chariot added to the devotional mood.

Dignitaries expected

The flag was hoisted at Trimbakeshwar by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Members of the state cabinet, including Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, are said to be arriving for the event in Nashik.

According to the information available, the President will arrive at Trimbakeshwar at 3 pm. She will have darshan at Shri Trimbakeshwar and inspect Kushavarta.

With the Naneejdham gram parikrama, the religious mood of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela has been set in the city. The parikrama was organised ahead of the Maha Dhwajarohan ceremony, with chariots of saints and mahants, bhajans and chanting, and 126 groups taking part.