Fadnavis hoists Dharmadhwaj at Kushavarta Tirth as Simhastha religious festival begins in Trimbakeshwar

The religious festival of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela began on Saturday in Trimbakeshwar, home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The Dharmadhwaj was hoisted at Kushavarta Tirth by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marking the start of the festival.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Shankaracharya Swami Vidhushekhar Bharati, successor of the Sringeri Peetham. Shrimahants of the ten Sanyasi akhadas, senior office-bearers and sants and mahants were also present, along with several dignitaries.

Senior leaders have gathered in Nashik for the Simhastha flag-hoisting ceremony. Half of the state Cabinet is arriving in Nashik, along with President Droupadi Murmu and Governor Jishnu Dev Varma. Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar had reached Nashik on the night of Friday, the 30th.

In the order of the programme, the President first hoisted the Dharmadhwaj at Ramkund. The Chief Minister then hoisted the flag at Kushavarta Tirth in Trimbakeshwar.

The flag was hoisted at 12.02 pm. President Murmu is to leave for Trimbakeshwar next. After offering prayers at Kushavarta, she will return to Nashik and rest at the Police Academy. In the evening she will attend the Goda Aarti.

Mahant Narsingh Kripadas of the Ramtirth Godavari Seva Samiti spoke on the religious significance of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. He also described the work of the Godavari Sevak Samiti and the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. He said India is progressing and that, along with the country's progress, citizens should move ahead while following their own dharma and raise the nation higher.