ॐ Jai Gajanan ॐ
History of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela
The Kumbh at this place is old: a history written in 1695 already describes gatherings here when Jupiter entered Leo. According to Wikipedia, the fair was held only at Trimbak until 1789, when a clash between Shaiva and Vaishnava sadhus led the Peshwa to move the Vaishnava bathing to Ramkund in Nashik. The last Kumbh was in 2015, and the next begins on 31 October 2026.
Knowing this history helps you understand why the Kumbh here looks the way it does today, with two towns and two bathing places. Here is the story in order.
The amrit story
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 places, Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, host the Kumbh. Read about them in our guide to the four Kumbh cities.
Wikipedia notes that historians see the link between this story and the Nashik fair as fairly recent, from the 20th century. The bathing gatherings themselves are much older.
The 31-foot flagstaff of the 2027 Kumbh, put up at Kushavarta in October 2026, carries a depiction of the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean from which the amrit came.
A gathering when Jupiter enters Leo
The Kumbh here is held when Jupiter (Guru) is in Leo (Simha), which happens about once in 12 years. That is why it is called the Simhastha. Wikipedia notes that the Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh, a history written in 1695, already describes gatherings at this place when Jupiter entered Leo.
Our guide on what Simhastha means explains the cycle. The difference between Simhastha, Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh and Maha Kumbh is explained in a separate guide.
When the Kumbh was held only at Trimbak
Trimbakeshwar is where the Godavari begins, at Brahmagiri hill, and where one of the twelve Jyotirlingas stands. According to Wikipedia, the Kumbh fair was held only at Trimbak until 1789. The bathing place was Kushavarta Kund, the sacred kund in the town.
The present Trimbakeshwar temple was built by Peshwa Balaji Bajirao on the site of an older temple. The temple trust records that it opened on Mahashivratri, Friday 16 February 1756. Read more in our Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga temple guide.
The split between Trimbak and Nashik
Wikipedia records a clash in 1789 between Shaivite sanyasis and Vaishnavite bairagis over who had the right to bathe first. After it, the Peshwa moved the bathing of the Vaishnavites to Ramkund in Nashik. Some sources give a different year; a 2003 Hinduism Today report dates the dispute to 1838.
Since then, the Shaiva akhadas, including the Naga sadhus, bathe at Kushavarta in Trimbakeshwar, and the Vaishnava akhadas at Ramkund in Nashik. Wikipedia adds that the Shaivites still regard Trimbak as the proper site. Read why the Kumbh has two snan sites and our guide to akhadas and the Amrit Snan.
Wikipedia also records disputes at Trimbak in 1861 and 1872 over processions. The British authorities proposed rules on the processions, but dropped them after the sadhus objected.
Past Kumbhs: 2003 and 2015
The 2003 Kumbh, held from 27 July to 7 September 2003, is remembered for a tragedy. A stampede on a narrow street leading to Ramkund in Nashik killed 39 pilgrims and injured 57, according to Wikipedia.
The 2015 Kumbh was held at Nashik-Trimbak from July to September 2015. Wikipedia reports that nearly 30 million devotees attended. It also notes that the MIT Media Lab ran a "Kumbhathon" programme that tested ideas such as crowd steering, pop-up housing and health monitoring.
Preparing for 2027
The Maharashtra government announced the 2027 schedule in June 2025, at a meeting attended by seers of all 13 main akhadas, PTI reported. At that meeting, "Shahi Snan" was renamed "Amrit Snan". Tenders worth 4,000 crore rupees had been issued for works, with more to follow, including a sewage treatment plant, cleaning of the Godavari and land for the Sadhugram.
- 31 October 2026: Flag hoisting at Trimbakeshwar and Nashik; the Kumbh period begins.
- 2 August, 31 August and 11–12 September 2027: The three Amrit Snans.
- 24 July 2028: Flag lowering; the Kumbh period ends.
See every date in our Kumbh 2027 dates and Amrit Snan schedule, read about the 31 October flag hoisting, and follow the works on our latest Kumbh updates page.
Visiting the 2027 Kumbh
The lessons of past Kumbhs are simple: plan ahead, avoid the busiest hours if you can, and stay close to where you want to be. Our first-time Kumbh guide puts these into practical steps.
Our Bhakta Niwas is about 1.5 km from Kushavarta and 900 m from the temple, with 24-hour check-in. Read where to stay during the Kumbh and our complete Simhastha Kumbh 2027 guide. Bookings are only by phone call or WhatsApp on +91 90311 67563.
Frequently asked questions
How old is the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela?
The gathering is at least several centuries old. Wikipedia notes that the Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh, written in 1695, describes gatherings at this place when Jupiter entered Leo. The Kumbh is held about once in 12 years, on the Godavari.
Why did the Kumbh move from Trimbakeshwar to Nashik?
The Kumbh did not move completely. According to Wikipedia, it was held only at Trimbak until 1789, when a clash between Shaiva and Vaishnava sadhus led the Peshwa to move the Vaishnava bathing to Ramkund in Nashik. The Shaiva akhadas still bathe at Kushavarta in Trimbakeshwar.
When was the last Kumbh Mela at Nashik?
The last Kumbh at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar was held in 2015, from July to September. Wikipedia reports that nearly 30 million devotees attended. The next Kumbh begins with the flag hoisting on 31 October 2026.
What happened at the 2003 Nashik Kumbh?
During the 2003 Kumbh, a stampede on a narrow street leading to Ramkund in Nashik killed 39 pilgrims and injured 57, according to Wikipedia.
When was Shahi Snan renamed Amrit Snan?
The Maharashtra government accepted the seers' suggestion to call the main bath Amrit Snan at a meeting in June 2025, PTI reported. This was the same meeting at which the 2027 Kumbh schedule was announced.
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.