ॐ Jai Gajanan ॐ
Where Is the Kumbh Mela Held? The Four Kumbh Cities Explained
The Kumbh Mela is held at four places in India: Prayagraj on the Ganga-Yamuna sangam, Haridwar on the Ganga, Ujjain on the Shipra and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar on the Godavari. Each place has its own Kumbh once in 12 years. The next to begin is the Simhastha Kumbh at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, from 31 October 2026 to 24 July 2028.
We are the Sansthan that runs the official Bhakta Niwas in Trimbakeshwar. This guide explains how the Kumbh at Trimbakeshwar fits with the other Kumbh cities, one city at a time.
The four Kumbh cities at a glance
| City | River | Name of its Kumbh | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) | Sangam of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the unseen Saraswati | Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh, Maha Kumbh | The 2025 gathering here was called the Maha Kumbh |
| Haridwar (Uttarakhand) | Ganga | Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh | Holds an Ardh Kumbh every 6 years |
| Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) | Shipra | Simhastha | Held when Jupiter is in Leo |
| Nashik-Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra) | Godavari | Simhastha | Held when Jupiter is in Leo; two snan sites |
Why there are four places
The Kumbh is linked to the story of the pot (kumbh) of amrit, the nectar of immortality. According to the Puranic story, drops of amrit fell at four places while it was being carried. Those four places are the Kumbh cities.
The time of each Kumbh is set by the positions of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon. Each city has its own position, so each has its own Kumbh year. Our guide on what Simhastha means explains the Jupiter-in-Leo cycle used at Nashik and Ujjain.
Prayagraj
Prayagraj is where the Ganga and the Yamuna meet, with the unseen Saraswati believed to join them. It hosts the Purna Kumbh every 12 years and an Ardh (half) Kumbh every 6 years.
Prayagraj is also home to the Maha Kumbh, the rarest of all. The 2025 Kumbh at Prayagraj was widely called the Maha Kumbh. Our guide to the difference between Simhastha, Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh and Maha Kumbh explains these names.
Haridwar
Haridwar is on the Ganga, in Uttarakhand. Like Prayagraj, it holds a Purna Kumbh every 12 years and an Ardh Kumbh every 6 years.
Ujjain
Ujjain is on the Shipra river in Madhya Pradesh, and is also home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. Its Kumbh is called the Simhastha, because it is held when Jupiter is in Leo, the same as at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar.
Nashik-Trimbakeshwar
Nashik-Trimbakeshwar is on the Godavari, which begins at Brahmagiri hill above Trimbakeshwar. This Kumbh is held in two towns, about 28 km apart. The Shaiva akhadas, including the Naga sadhus, bathe at Kushavarta Kund in Trimbakeshwar. The Vaishnava akhadas bathe at Ramkund in Nashik.
This is why the third Amrit Snan has two dates. Read why the Kumbh has two snan sites and our history of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh.
Trimbakeshwar is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. You can combine the Kumbh snan with darshan; see our Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga temple guide.
The 2027 Kumbh at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar
The Maharashtra government announced the schedule in June 2025, as reported by PTI.
- 31 October 2026: Flag hoisting; the Kumbh period begins.
- 2 August 2027: First Amrit Snan.
- 31 August 2027: Second Amrit Snan.
- 11 and 12 September 2027: Third Amrit Snan, at Nashik on 11 September and at Trimbakeshwar on 12 September.
- 24 July 2028: Flag lowering; the Kumbh period ends.
Read the full Kumbh 2027 dates and Amrit Snan schedule, our guide to the 31 October flag hoisting, and how the processions work in akhadas and the Amrit Snan.
Planning a visit to the Trimbakeshwar Kumbh
Trimbakeshwar is about 28 km from Nashik, 170–177 km from Mumbai and 230–244 km from Pune by road. Read how to reach Trimbakeshwar for trains, buses and road routes.
If this is your first Kumbh, start with our first-time Kumbh guide. For a stay within walking distance of Kushavarta, read where to stay during the Kumbh. Our Bhakta Niwas is about 1.5 km from Kushavarta and 900 m from the temple, and bookings are only by phone call or WhatsApp on +91 90311 67563. For everything else, see our complete Simhastha Kumbh 2027 guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Kumbh Mela held?
The Kumbh Mela is held at four places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar. Prayagraj is on the sangam of the Ganga and the Yamuna, Haridwar on the Ganga, Ujjain on the Shipra and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar on the Godavari. Each place has its own Kumbh once in 12 years.
Why is the Kumbh Mela held at only four places?
The Kumbh is linked to the story of the pot of amrit. According to the Puranic story, drops of amrit fell at four places while it was being carried, and those four places host the Kumbh. The timing at each place depends on the positions of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon.
Which Kumbh is held in Maharashtra?
The Simhastha Kumbh at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, on the Godavari, is the Kumbh held in Maharashtra. It comes once in 12 years. The next one begins on 31 October 2026, with the main Amrit Snans in August and September 2027.
Which Kumbh cities are called Simhastha?
Ujjain and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar both hold the Simhastha Kumbh, which is held when Jupiter is in Leo (Simha). Prayagraj and Haridwar follow other planetary positions. Prayagraj and Haridwar also hold the Ardh Kumbh every 6 years.
Where is the next Kumbh Mela?
The next Kumbh period to begin is the Simhastha Kumbh at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar. It begins with the flag hoisting on 31 October 2026 and ends on 24 July 2028. The three Amrit Snans fall on 2 August, 31 August and 11 or 12 September 2027.
Planning a stay in Trimbakeshwar?
Book on WhatsApp or by phone at +91 90311 67563. Check-in is open 24 hours, and all 3 satvik meals are included.